Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ

Top Highlights

“But none of these are new temptations, just newer ways of surrendering to old temptations. The temptations themselves are, as the Scripture puts it, ‘common to man’ (1 Cor. 10:13), and in Jesus’ desert testing we see how true this is. Here the Scriptures identify for us the universal strategies of temptation. You will be tempted exactly as Jesus was, because Jesus was being tempted exactly as we are. You will be tempted with consumption, security, and status. You will be tempted to provide for yourself, to protect yourself, and to exalt yourself. And at the core of these three is a common impulse—to cast off the fatherhood of God.” (source)

“Temptation—for the entire human race, for the people of Israel, and for each of us personally—starts with a question of identity, moves to a confusion of the desires, and ultimately heads to a contest of futures. In short, there’s a reason you want what you don’t want to want. Temptation is embryonic, personality specific, and purpose directed.” (source)

“We are not—and Jesus is not—tempted by God (James 1:13). To be tempted is to be enticed toward evil. ‘God is light, and in him is no darkness at all’ (1 John 1:5). We are, however—and Jesus joins us in this—tested by God. James wrote, ‘Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life’ (James 1:12). The difference between testing and tempting is no trivial matter. The goal of tempting is evil; the goal of testing is ‘that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing’ (James 1:4).” (source)