Temptations: Good things come to those who wait - or don't

I heard an excellent sermon about temptation recently, and while the preacher was expounding on the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness, something triggered a reminder that God satisfies the desires of every living creature (Matthew 3:13-4:-11; Mark 1:9-13; Luke 4:1-13; Psalm 145:15-16).

Each temptation represented a desire of Jesus’ heart that is also common to all humans (1 John 2:15-17). Satan offered to fulfill those desires for Jesus, but Jesus responded with Scripture, which many consider to be the way out of temptation God provides (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Jesus later said watchfulness (which must be based on a true knowledge of Scripture) with prayer would keep us from temptation (Mark 14:38; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17).

This article’s title begins with, “Good things come to those who wait.” The waiting is regarding God’s plan for us to have an abundant life now and for eternity (John 10:7-10).

Satan’s first temptation to Jesus was for food, which aligns with our human cravings mentioned as one of the three basic sources of temptation in 1 John 2:15-17. There’s nothing wrong with eating because God created us to need food, but it must not involve overindulgence and Jesus’ purpose in the wilderness was to be tempted, possibly with fasting in preparation (Proverbs 23:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Philippians 3:17-19; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20).

As soon as Satan left, angels attended Jesus’ needs, which probably included the best food he had eaten on earth (Psalm 78:19-29, especially verse 25).

The second temptation was for glory, which aligns with our desire for fame — the pride of life demonstrated by having angels serve him. Jesus knew the greatest glory of all before he came to earth and that when he completed his work on earth at the right time, he’d have that glory again (John 17:1-5; 13:1; 16:28).

The third temptation — ownership of all nations aligns with lust of the eyes — was offered at a great price, bowing to Satan. Jesus knew that the earth and everything in it was already his (Psalm 24:1-2; Colossians 1:15-17). But Jesus also knew he’d given humans control over their own hearts to rule as we please (Joshua 24:14-15). He knew how God had planned for humans to yield their hearts to him so we could become entirely his possession, and he viewed that process and the positive results with joy (Proverbs 23:26; Hebrews 5:7-9; 12:2; 7:25; Luke 15:1-31).

God fulfilled each of Jesus’ desires appropriately and completely at the right time (Philippians 2:5-11; Revelation 5:13; 7:9-10). Jesus didn’t bow to Satan to attain them, and we shouldn’t bow to anyone but Jesus to get ours. But we will need to wait on God’s timing when he’ll bless us beyond our imagination (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 3-14).

God doesn’t want us to wait to submit to him, though, because receiving the desires of our hearts appropriately begins with forgiveness and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit in baptism (Acts 22:16; 3:38-39; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:4-7; Romans 10:12-13; James 4:7-10).

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]