Tested Against Body, Soul, and Spirit

While studying the book of Matthew, I came upon an interesting commentary by the late Ray Stedman.  He wrote about the three parts or levels of man — body, soul, and spirit — and that Jesus was tested against all three by Satan.

The Body — Matthew 4:1-4:

¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ²After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus had not eaten for 40 days and nights and He must have been starving.  Stedman questions whether we would have had such fortitude? 

The Soul — Matthew 4:5-7:

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶“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.’”  ⁷Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Here Satan tries to attack by appealing to Jesus’ ego and pride.  Jesus proved Himself true and steadfast.  I shudder when I think of the times when Satan has appealed to my ego and pride — and how easily I was deceived.

The Spirit — Matthew 4:8-11:

⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” ¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Here Stedman writes that the spirit is always looking for something to worship.  That the spirit of man craves to find someone or something to idolize and follow.  Perhaps this explains why so many believers today are being deceived by false prophets and man-driven church leaders.

Instead of hearing about kingdom truths, and “seeking first the kingdom,” church pews are overflowing with people who are hearing about having their best lives now.  And instead of learning about what it means to store up treasures in heaven, believers are hearing sermons about getting out of debt!

What is so heartbreaking is that they have no idea that their greatest debt will be the incredible loss that they will suffer when they come before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.