In Matthew chapter 4, in both verse 3 and verse 6 – Satan begins his temptations of Jesus with these statements: “If you are the Son of God…” “If you’re really God’s Son…” This is Satan’s oldest technique in tempting people, going all the way back to Genesis 3 when he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Remember how he did it there?

He said, “Ooo-wee, look at that apple! …You should give it a try… It looks so shiny and juicy! …C’mon – try it!” Right? Isn’t that how Satan tempted Eve?

No. Not at all. How did he tempt her? What tactic did Satan use to tempt Eve?

Satan comes at Eve like this: “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

Satan did not directly tempt Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. What did Satan tempt Eve to do? Satan tempted Eve to question God’s Word and to question God’s trustworthiness:

  • “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
  • “Why would He prevent you from eating this fruit?”
  • “What’s He withholding from you?”
  • “Can you really trust Him?”
  • “Can you really trust God’s intentions?”

That was in Genesis chapter 3. Fast-forward to Matthew chapter 4, where Satan comes to Jesus and calls His identity into question: “If you are the Son of God…” “If you’re really God’s Son…”

Satan’s temptations to us always flow from this place of calling God’s identity, and God’s Word, and God’s trustworthiness into question.

Whatever it is that tempts you – whatever your biggest sources of temptation are – whether it’s lust, greed, envy, pride, anger, slander – whatever tempts you, they all trace back to a distrust in God:

  • Did God really say He would provide for all your needs?
  • Did God really say He would exalt you if you remain humble? …C’mon.
  • Did God really say it is more blessed to give than receive? Can you trust that? For real?
  • Did God really say the pure in heart would see Him? I mean – c’mon.

The root of all of Satan’s temptations for us traces back – not so much to the tempting act itself – but to a question of God’s identity, God’s Word, God’s motives, God’s trustworthiness.

Satan’s goal isn’t to just get you and me to commit some sins. That is not Satan’s great victory. Satan doesn’t care that much about you or me. He couldn’t care less if he could convince us to commit some wrong actions. He has a much bigger target in his sights.

Satan is and always has been jealous of God. Satan’s target is God Himself, And Satan knows that an attack on us – an attack on our resolve to trust in and follow God – is an attack on God Himself.

Satan’s objective is to convince us to question God’s Word and to question God’s trustworthiness.

And if Satan can convince us to question God’s character, God’s commands, God’s intentions – THEN he can tempt us to question who God is – and who WE are in God – and if it’s really a good idea for us to follow Him, to trust in Him, and to obey Him…

On the next episode of “Practical Faith,” we’ll look at how Jesus repelled the temptations of Satan – and how we can, too, whenever Satan brings the temptation into our lives to doubt God’s trustworthiness.