Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,’ and, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ” Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. (Luke 4:1-14)
Recently when meditating on this famous passage from the Book of Luke, in the Bible, I sensed the Lord causing a reflection on leadership, in my own life and generally, and potentially disclosing the greatest challenge for leadership. These insights revealed in the conversations and actions recorded here, where Satan seeks to tempt Jesus.
Freshly anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit, the first test of the greatest leader of all was His character, and perhaps most profoundly how will He lead. Satan could have chosen many temptations for Jesus, but Jesus was no mere man, and so he sought to dislodge the Son of God through this call and gifting, to dislodge Him from His throne.
If this is true for Jesus, it seems clear that the enemy will seek to challenge Christ’s followers in such a way, particularly those called to lead people and organisations. In reality, while there are some who have official titles as leaders, most if not all of us have a leadership role in some circumstances. It does seem true though, the more lofty the role, the higher the fall can be. Certainly these tests are not unfamiliar to this author, and I am forever grateful for our Lord’s mercy and grace.
In the following, there is some explanation of the schemes that we need to be aware of in terms of the temptations and great challenges that come with leadership roles in particular.
The commanders test
“If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread”. This first test of leadership at first may seem simple, but it is more subtle than we might believe. For beyond the idea this was a temptation of the flesh, and not a minor one given Jesus had fasted for forty days, in fact His test was to whether He would use His leadership authority to satisfy the most obvious personal need regardless of God’s leading.
Sure things may come along to tempt us that might be seen as carnal in nature, the so called lusts of the flesh, but for leaders this can come in some disguises. This goes beyond resisting external temptations, to the taking control over the ability to use one’s leadership authority to change something that only you can for your own benefit over others, and placing your interest before God, trusting first in your leadership position. Just because it is in your power to do something, does not mean it should occur, even it seems necessary at the time. We need to be careful of our motivation to use our authority, for first and foremost as leaders we are called to serve in the kingdom for God. Is it for the benefit for others or ourselves? Do we trust more in God’s provision and design, or in ourselves? We must not lose sight of His commands.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” It is the word of God that should be our go to, rather than being tempted to use our own words as leaders. As leaders we understand there is power in the tongue, and that the authority of those with leadership can have a double impact causing grief or joy. The words we are to speak are to be in accordance with God’s character and will, and for leading others, not for our own (selfish) benefit or convenience.
Perhaps the best example of where a leader suffered to this temptation, is that recorded in 2 Samuel 11 (Old Testament of the Bible), where King David succumbs to the beauty of Bathsheba, and using his kingly authority forces an adulterous union (I mean a woman in that era would fear for her life if she said ‘no’). He then uses his authority to try and contrive a way out of his predicament, which ultimately sees the death of her husband who character stood the test, unlike David’s. It took the prophetic voice of God to call out this sin, and thankfully David’s heart acknowledged His wrong, this time not placing himself above others, repents, pays the price, and is ultimately forgiven by God. King David, the one after God’s heart, who did so much good, and has such amazing revelations of God presence and of Christ a thousand year before He came, knew there was redemption, but still fell short in a series of weak moments.
Our encouragement is knowing we have the Holy Spirit to empower our thoughts and action, and the knowledge God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. He will even make the way of escape.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
The temptation of power and authority
“All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
And then comes this enticement. The desire for increasing power is perhaps one of the most prevalent temptations for a leader. But it is not always very clear in a society that applauds ambition and life goals, where promotions are rewarded, and recognition is often matched by ones status, influence, and realms of control. More power and authority can be seen as something to be celebrated or to gain, apparently allowing you to achieve more “good”.
Interestingly this temptation can come from sources that appear to speak God’s will. Satan, the schemer, knows the Bible, and cites that in an attempt to trap Jesus. So too, there can be those around you, who either due to ‘good intentions’ or other motivations, encourage you to places of power to do more, however these can ultimately be a deception of the enemy. It is important to remember that promotion in the kingdom of God can involve earthly power, and is not something to shy away from if the Lord opens that doors, but we are to remember to serve and to walk humbly before God (Micah 6:8; John 13).
Whether in the church, at home, or in the workplace, our challenge is to let the Lord doing the honouring of us (Psalm 91), and acknowledge He can promote us to places of significant authority, for His purposes. Consider the life of Joseph (Genesis 40). In due season God promotes him to a the prime minister of the most powerful nation of its time…directly from a prison. Contrast these to the many Old Testament kings who sought nothing to bump of the competition, to kill the king to become the next ruler. Contrast this too, to the debate of the Apostles (Matthew 20), after two of them (urged on by their mothers), seeks to take a position of authority at the right hand of Christ out of selfish ambition (and hope).
In practice this promotion by our own means, usually comes at a cost, being bound to repay the one who made it happen, effectively honouring them before all others either to gain the promotion, or to maintain the place of authority. We end up feeling beholden to submit to the promoter, even if this is more our own thought rather than theirs.
‘And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”’
Our response to this temptation is best found in the words of Jesus, that is to intentionally place God first in all things, worshipping Him through humble service, and allow Him to place you in the position He has prepared you for. (Psalm 91:14-16).
Best of all, Christ will help us if we are tempted.
For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
Abuse of authority
Alluded to in the first two temptations of Christ, but more clearly illustrated in the last, is the encouragement to use one’s authority for personal gain. The subtlety of this trap is that you find yourself placed in a position of authority over people, organisations, or resources, and you are then encouraged to use it to reveal to you and others the power you have. The desire for control is perhaps underlying this, and also pride. We need to be aware of the trap others may unintentionally set, by stroking our ego, and encouraging us to use our power simply for that sake, and not for the betterment of others or the kingdom of God.
There is another aspect to this scheme of the enemy, and that is to encourage you to throw yourself in humility before others, be willing to deny your position of power, to appear to be a person of great hubris. This temptation suggesting you can relinquish this authority, throwing away the placement you have been given, in a sought of false humility, believing you will gain even more through your show of self humiliation.
It is not hard to imagine how this could occur, particularly in Christian circles where demonstrations of humility can be used as some type of boast of one’s devotion. In reality a humble soul is one that continues to show this heart through out their walk with God, and not through a public display. If the Lord has placed us in a position of authority, we have no right to test it, or to risk giving it away simply at our whim, rather than according to His will.
And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ”
The response of Jesus is the best antidote to this temptation. We cannot tempt the Lord with actions that are not of His leading, do not glorify Him, and deny His plans and purposes for our lives. When someone or some voice seeks to encourage you to deliberately test the Lord by doing something that places you life or position in danger, without any leading of the Lord, at the very least you should not proceed until you will certain the God is leading you in that way, usually through the witness of others, and the word of God.
To finish
In many ways it is nice of our enemy to reveal his schemes though his attack on Jesus. Ultimately Christ was always going to win, and so can we if we believe in Him, as then He gives us His Spirit to lead us and equip for the role and the spiritual battles that will follow.
then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, (2 Peter 2:9)
The Lord will help us overcome these temptations, enabling us to find the way beyond them, rather than entering into them.
However, at times we may slip up, and then we come to God seeking His forgiveness, and start renewed. As leaders we need to be aware this is a high calling, and that to prosper in this calling we need to continually check our motivation in the use of authority. We need to be aware of the trap to crave more power, resist the temptation to use our power for our own good, and not risk throwing it all away thinking you can get it all back and with more noteriety (regardless of what God is saying).
I leave this for your prayerful consideration, maybe this challenge was only for me, however I share it in the hope it brings God’s guidance for your lives also. May God bless you, and prosper you in Jesus name.
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