Today, as we continue our series looking at Jesus' encounters with different people, we come to "Jesus and the devil", as we look at the traditional reading for the start of Lent - Jesus' temptation in the wilderness.

C.S.Lewis wrote that the devil is delighted by either of two views of him - those who do not believe in his existence, because that leaves him free to work unhindered, and those who see him everywhere, because they make him important, which is what he loves - to give him too much worth is a sort of worship. So we need to get the right balance in our understanding of this topic.

Hints in the bible have led Christians to the understanding that the devil (also called "satan", meaning "adversary") is an angel who rebelled against God, and who since then leads his followers in opposing God's will. He has been defeated by Jesus through his life, death & resurrection: "Jesus himself became like us and shared our human nature. He did this so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death, and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death." (Hebrews 2v14) Jesus said his miracles showed he had bound the devil (Matthew 12v29), and this image is taken up in Revelation 20, where the devil is pictured as chained up so his power is limited. Thus he is depicted in the New Testament as a defeated enemy, but one who is still dangerous, seeking to lead human beings astray whilst he awaits his final destruction at the end of time. "Be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resist him, because you know that your fellow-believers in all the world are going through the same kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:8) We must be aware of the spiritual battle in which we are involved and resist temptation. "Put on all the armour that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. So put on God's armour now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground." (Ephesians 6:11) So let's look at what our readings teach us about how to overcome temptation, as Jesus did. Bible:Genesis+2:15-17, 3:1-7.

Some Christians believe that is what actually took place on a specific occasion when the first man & woman committed the first sin. Others believe that it is a myth in the proper, technical sense of that word, a story told to teach us that we all sin by doubting & disobeying God. It clearly shows everyone's problem.

1. It shows that the devil sows doubt about God - "did God really say...?" "God doesn't want your best..." "It won't hurt you if you do what you want to..."

2. It shows our human weakness in the face of temptation - We do not remember God's commands correctly ("even touch it"), we contemplate what is forbidden instead of walking away from it ("how beautiful.. how good.. how wonderful.."), we doubt God, we disobey, we lead others astray, we are easily influenced.

3. It shows the sources of temptation - influences from others (Adam is persuaded by Eve); what our senses bring to us (see, hear, etc.); the devil's prompting. This is what is traditionally called "the world, the flesh & the devil".

4. It shows that sin spoils our lives and wrecks our relationship with God & other people (Adam & Eve are ashamed & are thrown out of the garden of Eden).

So let's hear now how Jesus fared when temptation came to him: Bible:Matthew+4:1-11.....

1. When satan tries to sow doubt, Jesus remembers the words of scripture, and stands by God's word. Do we read our bibles regularly to get God's promises & commands into our lives? Do we know them well enough to apply them to our daily life & its challenges?

2. He disciplines his body & its appetites (fasting 40 days), and won't allow hunger (for example) to dictate his actions (bread is less important than God's will). He lived what he taught, that we should not invest our lives in material possessions, but in love for God & other people.

3. He had such a grasp of God's will & a security in his relationship with his heavenly Father, that he could resist the pressure from other people (including one of his best friends, Peter, when he tried to turn Jesus away from suffering & death: "Jesus turned around and said to Peter, "Get away from me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my way, because these thoughts of yours don't come from God, but from human nature."" (Matthew 16:23) - a verse which shows human beings can be influenced by the devil to mislead others in turn).

4. Jesus did not sin, and therefore was able to offer himself as the perfect sacrifice for our forgiveness, and is able to help us in our times of temptation. "God does away with all the old sacrifices and puts the sacrifice of Christ in their place. Because Jesus Christ did what God wanted him to do, we are all purified from sin by the offering that he made of his own body once and for all... Christ, however, offered one sacrifice for sins, an offering that is effective for ever, and then he sat down at the right-hand side of God." (Hebrews 10:9, 10, 12) "Now Jesus can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered." (Hebrews 2:18 )

So we need to recognise the danger of temptation and resist with God's help, using the resources of Jesus. God makes this promise, "No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) How can we succeed?

1. Recognise the reality of temptation & examine your life.

A survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them :

 1. Materialism //
 2. Pride //
 3. Self-centredness //
 4. Laziness //
 5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness //
 5. (Tie) Sexual lust. //
 7. Envy //
 8. Gluttony //
 9. Lying //

Survey respondents noted temptations were more potent when they had neglected their time with God (81 percent) and when they were physically tired (57 percent).

Become aware, through prayerful self-examination under the Holy Spirit's guidance, of your weaknesses. If you are willing to undertake the challenge I can offer you a sheet listing areas to think about, drawn from scripture. It's not exhaustive, but it's pretty thorough. (Available from Church.)

2. Ask God to help you become spiritually disciplined & act on that.

Like Jesus, we need to

• read & absorb the bible's message (bible question study sheets are in the folder on the table in Church every week & more are on the way!)
• share with God in prayer every day (allow me to offer you today the resource of some prayers from the bible which you can pray for yourself & others each day of the month - avaiable from Church)
• meet with other Christians, so they can encourage us, and we can be accountable to them for how we live (home groups are available)
• avoid situations which lead us into sin (what TV do you watch? how do you spend your leisure time? who do you meet with? etc.....) "Flee temptation and don't leave a forwarding address." (Anonymous. Men of Integrity, Vol. 1, no. 1.)
• concentrate on good things (Paul writes, "Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable. Put into practice what you learnt and received from me, both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives us peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8)).

The survey I quoted showed that "Resisting temptation was accomplished by prayer (84 percent), avoiding compromising situations (76 percent), Bible study (66 percent), and being accountable to someone (52 percent)."

We should be encouraged, surely, that Jesus was tempted as we are - that shows it's not wrong to be tempted and that it happens to everyone. But even more encouraged that he was able to resist & overcome temptation, showing that is possible too. Furthermore we rejoice that by his life, death & resurrection he has defeated the devil and all the spiritual powers which might oppress us, and can set us free from their hold, so we too can resist & overcome. His resources are available to us, as we allow his life to fill ours, as we co-operate with the Holy Spirit who works to change us for the better to be more like Jesus.

As we deal with the devil & temptation, let us be positive & confident, not in ourselves, but in Jesus, so that we may live for his glory.