Matthew 4

Matthew 4 gives us the ultimate story of Jesus being the conqueror over all temptation. Jesus our Lord shows the exact way to fight against temptation. After being in the wilderness 40 days he was hungry. At this time of vulnerability Satan came to tempt the Lord in the wilderness.

Much like us after we have been called there is usually going to be a season of manifold temptations. 1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us the greatest example about how to overcome these temptations. He combated the devil with the Word, It is written! This is a great example as to why it’s so important to have the Word ready and hidden in our hearts for that day of trial.
We are never given more than we can handle. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. The difference here is fighting with the Word or trying to fight the devil in our flesh. When we fight with our own power we are not using all that Christ has given us. Too many Christians live lives defeated because they are always on the defense and not on the offense.
Often times when we are tempted about something, we have two choices, fight or give in. First you have to know that you are being tempted. We may live in sin for so long that it is no longer a temptation as much as it is second nature. It becomes part of our sin nature. Nevertheless, if you are a follower of Jesus you will not be without temptation. Once you recognize this, the devil will often try and enter through the way of your thoughts. Paul gave a great description of the spiritual battle that goes on constantly. Paul also gave us a strategy to fight. 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Jesus does not allow us to be tempted so that we can fail and live a defeated life. He allows this so that we may be purified and tried by the fire.
How can we play on the offense in the Christian life and battle over our souls? Read with me Ephesians 6:10-17. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Does that not encourage you to live your life with confidence in Christ Jesus that he is able to deliver you from all manors of temptation? Not only does Christ want to deliver you, he wants you to be an over comer in the faith. Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.