The Temptation on the Mountain – Part 1

Main Idea

The lecture discusses the first temptation that the Lord Jesus Christ faced from Satan in the wilderness, after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, when Satan asked Him to turn the stones into bread. Pope Shenouda III explains that temptations reveal a person’s will and love for God, and that the presence of temptation does not mean the absence of divine help, for temptation is half of the truth and help is the other half. He emphasizes that a person who has experienced temptation can understand the pain of those who are being tempted and show them compassion instead of judging or mocking them. Therefore, a person should not wait until he falls into the same temptation before sympathizing with others, but should learn compassion from now.

Spiritual Message

Pope Shenouda explains that Satan may sometimes come in the form of a counselor or friend, offering advice that appears spiritual or loving while its true purpose is to lead a person away from God. Therefore, a person should not accept every thought that comes to him quickly, but should weigh and examine his thoughts and distinguish what comes from God from what comes from Satan. He points out that God’s works give a person an opportunity to think and seek guidance, whereas Satan pushes a person toward haste, emotional reaction, and carrying out a thought without examining it. He also explains that Satan can present his thoughts in different ways, in a spiritual, philosophical, or openly lustful form, according to the person he is trying to make fall.

Educational Lesson

Pope Shenouda explains that Christ faced the temptation with steadfastness, strength, and confidence, and that the temptation did not shake Him; rather, He overcame Satan with calmness and wisdom. He also explains that the Lord Jesus Christ did not use His divinity for His personal comfort, and therefore He did not turn the stones into bread to remove His hunger, but used His divine power for the good of humanity. From this, he presents an important principle for everyone who has authority or responsibility: authority should not be used for personal honor or comfort, but for the common good and for serving others. He also explains that sonship to God does not mean greatness, authority, or comfort, but love, self-giving, generosity, and service to others.

Practical Spiritual Application

The believer should train himself to understand Satan’s schemes and methods and should not allow pressing thoughts to lead him into quick decisions. When a thought comes that urges him to act immediately, he should stop, think, reflect, and present the matter to his spiritual father before making a decision. He should also learn to have compassion toward those who are going through temptations, because he does not know when God may allow him to experience a similar temptation. The essential lesson is to live with spiritual vigilance, examine thoughts, remain faithful to God, and use the strength and will that God has given us in the service of what is good rather than for achieving personal comfort.

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