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Daily Devotions

40 Days and 40 Nights

40 Days and 40 Nights 
Day 
Day 15

"Being tempted for forty days..."

Text: Luke 4:2

THE TEMPTING OF THE LORD JESUS

Just how much did the devil tempt the Lord Jesus Christ? Sometimes, we think that Satan only tempted Jesus three times.

“Being tempted for forty days by the devil.
And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward,
when they had ended, He was hungry.”
Luke 4:2

1. “Being tempted for forty days by the devil”

a) The text clearly states that Jesus was tempted for forty days!
b) The devil would not pass up any opportunity to tempt Jesus.
c) If he could in any way cause Jesus to be tempted, he would have been victorious.

2. How could Jesus have resisted the temptations of the devil so effectively?

a) The Holy Spirit’s ministry must be acknowledged.
i) His presence must have been awesome.
ii) His power would have been present.
iii) His preservation must be acknowledged.
b) The Lord Jesus Christ’s part must also be acknowledged.
i) He was filled with the Spirit of God.
ii) He was fully obedient to the leading of the Spirit.
iii) He found great strength in being filled with the Spirit.

3. A significant text to ponder over

Paul wrote a significant word about the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). The following may help us to understand how the Lord Jesus was able to overcome the devil’s temptations for forty days.

1. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5)

a) Paul highlighted the mindset of the Lord Jesus Christ.
b) The devil will attack the mind.
c) The mind must therefore be made strong through the power of the Spirit of God.

2. “Made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7)

a) Jesus was fully man when the devil tempted Him.
b) But being in the likeness of men does not automatically make Him weak.
c) He was sinless (as Adam was when he was created); He refused to yield to Satan.