Resisting Temptation

Have any of you ever had an experience like that? Maybe you've been tempted to look at your phone during class when you're supposed to be listening, or to copy someone's homework because you forgot to do yours. Here's another story which might sound familiar.

"Put away your books and take out one sheet of paper and a pencil," the teacher said. "We are going to take our weekly spelling test." Johnny had an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach. He knew that they were going to have a spelling test today, but he watched TV last night instead of studying for the spelling test and he wasn't ready for the test. As the test began, Johnny looked around the room and realized that he had a clear view of Sally's paper. "It won't hurt if I look at Sally's paper just this once," Johnny thought to himself. "I promise — I'll never do it again and nobody will ever know."

All of us have faced temptations such as these, haven't we? Temptation is when we feel pulled to do something we know isn't right. It might feel good in the moment, but deep down we know it's wrong. Did you know that Jesus was tempted just as we are? The Bible tells us that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. This wasn't an accident - God allowed this to happen to show us how to handle temptation. Do you know what Jesus did when the devil tempted him? He answered him with Scripture!

Jesus had not had anything to eat for forty days. He was hungry, and Satan knew he was hungry, so he said to him, "If you are really the Son of God, turn these stones into bread." Satan was trying to get Jesus to use His divine power for His own needs instead of trusting God's plan.

Jesus could have easily done what Satan suggested, but he didn't. Instead, he answered, "It is written, 'Man does not live by bread alone.'" Jesus was quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3, reminding Satan that spiritual food - God's Word - is more important than physical food.

Then the devil took Jesus up to a high place and showed him all the worldly kingdoms below. "All of this belongs to me," he said. "If you will bow down and worship me, I will give it to you." Satan was offering Jesus a shortcut to power and influence, but it would mean turning away from God.

Jesus answered, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" This comes from Deuteronomy 6:13. Jesus knew that no earthly power is worth turning away from God.

Next, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and led him up to the highest point on the temple. He said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. God will send his angels to rescue you." Interestingly, Satan even tried to use Scripture here, quoting Psalm 91. But he was twisting God's Word to try to get Jesus to test God unnecessarily.

Again, Jesus quoted the Scripture, "'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" From Deuteronomy 6:16, Jesus showed that we shouldn't force God to prove Himself to us.

Do you know what the devil did? He gave up! He said, "I'll come back and try another day." But Jesus had won this battle by using God's Word as His weapon.

Think about this: Jesus could have used His divine power to defeat Satan instantly, but instead He chose to fight the same way we can fight - with Scripture. This shows us that God's Word is powerful enough to help us resist any temptation.

Let's think about how this applies to your life. When you're tempted to cheat on a test, you could remember verses about honesty like Proverbs 11:1. When you're tempted to be mean to someone, you could think of verses about kindness like Ephesians 4:32. The key is knowing God's Word so well that it comes to mind when you need it most.

Here are some questions to think about: What are the biggest temptations you face as a fifth or sixth grader? How can memorizing Scripture help you when you're tempted? What's the difference between being tempted and actually sinning?

Remember, being tempted isn't a sin - even Jesus was tempted! The sin comes when we give in to the temptation. Jesus shows us that we can resist temptation by knowing and using God's Word.

I want each of you to have a piece of candy from this bowl. I am not going to tell you not to eat it until after dinner, but as you eat it, I want you to think about what we have learned in our Bible lesson today. Satan tempted Jesus just as he tempts you and me. Jesus resisted Satan's temptation, and we can too, by answering him with Scripture. This week, try to memorize at least one Bible verse that can help you when you face temptation.

Dear Father, help us to learn what the Bible teaches us to do so that when the devil tempts us, we can do what Jesus did—answer him with Scripture. Give us strength to resist temptation and wisdom to know Your Word. Help us to remember that You are always with us, even in difficult moments. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.