Acing the Devil’s Tests

In this message, Chuck Swindoll explores the dramatic confrontation between Jesus and Satan in the Judean wilderness recorded in Matthew 4:1–11. Swindoll distinguishes between the tests of God, which are designed to help believers grow and “pass with high marks,” and the temptations of the Devil, which are designed solely to cause failure and ruin [8–9].

The sermon analyzes the three specific tactics the Enemy used against Jesus after He had fasted for 40 days:

1. The Test of Provision (Stones to Bread): An appeal to physical appetite and the temptation to meet legitimate needs through independent, secular means rather than trusting God’s timing [15–18].
2. The Test of Presumption (Jump from the Temple): An appeal to sensationalism and pride. Swindoll warns against “presumption” disguised as faith—expecting God to rescue us from foolish risks or using the flesh to do the Spirit’s work [19–21].
3. The Test of Power (Kingdoms of the World): An appeal to shortcuts and compromise. Satan offered Jesus the crown without the cross, suggesting that the “end justifies the means” [24–26].

Jesus “aced” these tests not by using His divine power, but by quoting Deuteronomy, proving that the Sword of the Spirit is the ultimate defense. Swindoll concludes with a sober warning about the progressive nature of sin, reminding listeners that while we have a choice to yield or resist, we cannot control the consequences once we surrender to temptation [29–30].

Message Key Facts:

• God’s Tests vs. Satan’s Tests: Swindoll compares God to a swimming instructor who pushes students into the water hoping they will swim to the other side. In contrast, the Devil’s tests are designed with the specific hope that the believer will drown.
• The “Charm” of the Devil: Swindoll dispels the myth of Satan as a “cute little red imp” with a pitchfork. He describes the Enemy as a supernatural “angel of light” who oozes charm and appeals to our desires with sympathy and logic, much like he did when tempting Jesus to eat after a long fast [13–16].
• The Danger of Solitude: While solitude is good for spiritual growth, Swindoll notes it is also where we are most vulnerable to attack. He cites Eve, David, Elijah, and Judas as examples of biblical figures who were tempted or fell into despair while alone.
• The Sin of Presumption: In analyzing the second temptation (jumping from the Temple), Swindoll defines presumption as “playing with snakes” or “playing with illness” and calling it faith. He warns that those who seek to attract others through sensationalism have “literally no future” because the crowds will always demand greater miracles [20–21].
• The “Written” Exam: Swindoll observes that Jesus never wrote down His teachings (except once in the sand in John 8), meaning His “tests” for the disciples were never written exams, but experiential trials. Consequently, “you can’t cheat on the test the Lord sends your way”.
• The Cost of Sin: The sermon concludes with a memorable rhythmic warning about the nature of sin:

“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, sin will keep you longer than you want to stay, sin will cost you more than you want to pay“.

Message References:

• Matthew 4:1–11: The primary text detailing Jesus’ forty-day fast and His three temptations by the Devil.
• Deuteronomy 8:3: Jesus’ response to the first temptation: “People do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”.
• Psalm 91: The scripture Satan misquotes and twists to tempt Jesus to jump from the Temple [19–20].
• Deuteronomy 6:16: Jesus’ response to the second temptation: “You must not test the Lord your God”.
• Deuteronomy 6:13: Jesus’ response to the third temptation: “You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him”.
• John 8: Referenced as the only recorded instance where Jesus wrote something (in the sand).
• Proverbs: Referenced regarding how people are held by the “cords of [their] own sin”.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll