READ:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Matthew 4:1-11
DEVOTIONAL:
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, each temptation pertained to His identity. The temptation to turn stone into bread pertains to pleasure and immediate gratification. It feels good to have what we want when we want it.
The second temptation to throw Himself down from the highest point relates to reputation, pride, and the desire to prove ourselves to others. It feels good when other people think highly of us.
The third temptation Jesus faced was to bow down and worship Satan in exchange for authority. This temptation pertains to power and achievement. It feels good to have prominence.
We need to understand this passage of Scripture because Satan uses the same tactics on us today. Satan wants us to believe that our identity resides in something other than God. He wants to convince us that our identity is in possessions, popularity, or power.
To counteract these falsehoods about our identity, we need to remember and rehearse these statements:
I am not what I possess.
I am not what other people think or say about me.
I am not what I do.
I am a beloved child of God.
David G. Benner says, “In order for our knowing of God’s love to be truly transformational, it must become the basis of our identity. Our identity is who we experience ourselves to be—the ‘I’ each of us carries within. An identity grounded in God would mean that when we think of who we are, the first thing that would come to mind is our status as someone who is deeply loved by God.”
If you’ve struggled with your identity lately, don’t look for it—look for God. You’ll find your truest self in Him.
PRAYER:
God, thank you that you know me best because you created me. As I get to know you better, I pray that you would reveal my true identity. Help me not to find my worth in possessions, popularity, or power, but in your love. Amen.