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.’”

This is an interesting temptation. It deals with a lot of potential emotions. First, Jesus was likely feeling a sense of separation from God compared to the rest of eternity with him. Second, there were likely many different emotions going through his mind when he was fasting and praying for forty days. Our minds and our bodies can play tricks on us when we are hungry. Third, at the top of the Temple Mount, his act could have been seen far and wide, and with the angels responding, it would have been quite a statement.

Finally, Jesus gets to the heart of the issue, which is a lack of belief. We do not need to test God in order to know that he is faithful. God was asking Jesus to come and sacrifice himself for all of humankind. Jesus knew God would be faithful to reward him for the sacrifice. Testing God to find out if he is faithful to his promises would have demonstrated a lack of faith. Not to mention, the suicidal act would, in my opinion, have gone against God’s will. It would have been sinful to try to kill yourself, knowing that God could save you.

Jesus again uses the Word of God to point out the flaw and sin in Satan’s activities. Testing God is unnecessary if we have faith in him and we believe he is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

It is interesting to consider, when going through a very difficult time or a hardship, what the right action is compared to what I feel like doing. So many in this world are consumed with their feelings and what they think they deserve and what they enjoy. But God cares about our hearts. Feelings are fleeting; actions aligned with God’s will last for eternity.

Lord, help me to rule over my feelings. May your Word guide and direct me as I serve you. May I be bold in calling out sin and gracious with sinners. And just as Jesus did here, may I use your Word to combat evil.