ABUSE
An interesting way to look at the three temptations of Jesus (Luke 4) is to categorize them as abuse of different sorts.
Abuse of self: The first temptation to turn stone to bread is one of inappropriate self-gratification.
3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”
In this case a hungry Jesus was being induced by Satan to misuse his abilities and turn stone to food, when God’s will for him at that point was to remain hungry. Satisfying the senses has become the predominant reason for the existence of man in today’s materialistic world. While self-gratification itself is not wrong, when done so outside the will of God, it ends up not nourishing, but abusing oneself. Excessive food intake leads disease, sexual relations outside God ordained marriage takes away the ability for healthy relationships and so on. The apt response to the temptation to abuse oneself with inappropriate self-gratification is to practice self-denial.
Abuse of others: The second temptation was one to embrace power as offered by Satan.
5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”
The temptation to take and hold on to power is the second greatest temptation that drives man’s efforts. This drive is one that spurs man to control and hence abuse others around him. Abusing others around is so ubiquitous that all of man’s interactions often end up being an excuse to advance one’s own selfish agendas. Inappropriately controlling one’s spouse in marriage, abusing co-workers and subordinates and the multiple games politicians play are all examples of abusing others. The apt response to the temptation to grab power and abuse others is to serve others.
Abuse of God: The third temptation might be less common but possibly the worst. Here the devil urges Jesus to put himself in an unnatural position and then abuse his relationship with God to protect him.
9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone’”
12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
This is a temptation that is committed by those who have some form of knowledge of God. While God desires that man goes through life experiencing the ups and the downs, those who know God are often filled with self-righteous pride and demand that God work preferentially on their behalf in accordance with their own will. In such a situation, there is of course no question of seeking the will of God. Abusing God is really what takes place when the church is used for worldly agendas and when Christians advance causes that are far separated from the will of God but seek his blessing. Irreparable harm is done not just to the world but to the holy name of God. The only apt response to the temptation to abuse God is to humbly submit to his will.
