Sermon thoughts and other musings

Truth and Temptation

This is Matthew's version of the temptation of Jesus by Satan. Scripture doesn't really tell us much about the origin of Satan, so various mythologies have developed over the years. One version holds that Satan was not only an angel, but a useful angel - the "tempter", who helped people learn about themselves through temptation. After all, don't we learn a lot about who we are and what we value by looking at what tempts us? Anyway, this legend contends that Satan began to enjoy his job too much (aside: I don't ever use male pronouns for God, but somehow I don't mind using them for Satan ... I wonder why that is?). And thus began Satan's fall.

How does Jesus resist temptation? Not by willpower but by discernment. The first two temptations are about Jesus' identity. Satan begins each with: "If you are the Son of God..." - he challenges Jesus' pride. But Jesus knows who he is, and doesn't need to prove it.

Satan quotes Scripture at Jesus, but all that proves is that just because someone is quoting Scripture, that doesn't mean the person is good.

By the third temptation, Satan no longer challenges Jesus to prove his identity. Instead, he offers Jesus the kingdoms of the world. But are they even Satan's to offer? It's an empty offer. Jesus sees the truth and rejects the offer.

So what do we learn about temptation from this story? The key to resisting isn't willpower, but discernment of the truth. Many of our temptations have illusion at their core. Lottery tickets are a good example. The illusion of winning. The reality of losing.

Fight temptation with truth. Need to resist greed? Discern the truth about the emptiness of material possessions. Need to resist the temptation to be self-destructive? Discern the truth about your own value as a human being.

Satan, whether he is a literal or a metaphorical character, is all about lies. Truth conquers lies. Eternally.