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We know that the first Adam failed and did not overcome the temptation of eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Why? Because he was spiritually weak; but we praise the Lord for the second Adam who is the Lord Jesus Christ. He triumphed over Satan. Jesus lived that temptation in the most agonizing way from the desert to the cross. The long, painful history of the Church is the history of people being tempted to choose power over love, control over the cross, being a leader over being led.

Temptation is always subtle and tricky. It seeks to turn good into evil by driving goodness to the extreme which is evil. We may be tempted to cheat on our mate, tempted to commit a crime, and tempted to eat something we shouldn't for health reasons. We may be trapped in a harmful pattern of thinking, or dangerously involved in a lifestyle that is harmful. Temptation will come, but it's hard for the devil to deceive us when our mind is on spiritual things. Satan can only work with what we give him, so we are not to give him any space in our minds. We can avoid many of the temptations we face if we will put this into practice. Satan's main purpose is to get us to doubt ourselves and our capabilities.

Temptation is a fight, and fighting temptation is a battle that is as much spiritual as it is emotional or physical. To be tempted is not a sin. Everyone is tempted and at different stages of their life. Even Jesus was tempted! Temptation happens when the opportunity is presented to do what we know is wrong, whether against God, ourselves, or others. Being tempted is not wrong, it's the decision to do wrong and the corresponding action that follows. In plain and simple words the devil did not make you do it; it's was your choice. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says " There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." We can win against temptation; God will either help us or give us a way of escape, so that we may endure. Temptation involves choice. Do we obey God or give in to our own desires? The good news is that with God's help, we can make the right choice. There may be pain and anguish in your heart and mind when declining temptations of the flesh, but overcoming temptation is treasure for the soul.

Christ's victory over the temptations of Satan in St. Matthew 4:1-11, had various implications and applications.

Jesus emerged sinless from the temptations proved Him to be qualified as God's Son to rule over the earth. Jesus did not defeat Satan and resist temptation with His divine power, but He defeated Satan by those same means which are provided for us today; the Spirit of God and the Word of God. Either we will drive out temptation by faith, or we will drive out faith by fear that gives in to temptation.