The Gospel for this Sunday is Luke 4:1–13
1. Temptation - the appearance of good
Satan pretends to be “better than God,” shows himself to be a friend, and is a master of illusion. He is far more intelligent than man. So how do we respond to his temptations that have the appearance of good? Jesus gives us an example.
2. Jesus was tempted by the devil.
If Jesus was tempted, then all of us have been, are, and will be tempted. Temptations hide under the guise of goodness. And the most perverse aspect is that Satan even appeals to us with quotes from Scripture. These temptations strike at God and at man, who, if falling into them, destroys himself and his life.
Jesus gives us an example of how to respond to temptations. The most important principle is to avoid being drawn into a dialogue with an evil spirit. Jesus' response consists in simply quoting Scripture. Jesus does not advance any argument of his own. He just quotes the Bible. In this way, Jesus holds fast to God the Father, His inspired Word. He does not rely on his own wisdom, but on God.
This is the contrary of what Eve did in Eden when she engaged in a dialogue with the evil spirit and fell into sin. In doing so, she harmed herself, her husband, and her children.
3. Today
Sometimes we make a mistake and in temptation we isolate ourselves, ashamed before God, ashamed to ask Him for help. But that is precisely when we must not be left alone with the evil spirit, because we will surely lose. This is when we need God the most. He will help us if only we ask Him.
