23 February 2026

When you examine the temptations of Jesus, you can see that when the particular circumstances are removed and the temptation is laid bare, it becomes more obvious that each one is a temptation to succumb to fear.

One is the fear of having nothing. Whilst it would be handy to turn stones into bread and lead into gold, the real temptation is the fear of having nothing. One way of coping with this fear is to succumb to the temptation to have too much.

Two is the fear of being nobody. Isn’t that behind the temptation for glory and authority? One way of coping with this fear is to succumb to the temptation to be somebody. But this isn’t the way of him ‘who emptied himself’.

Three is the fear of living by faith. Isn’t there too much uncertainty living like this? Don’t we have to give up control? It’s like stepping over the edge. What will happen next?

One way of coping with this fear is to succumb to the temptation to distrust God and his promises. You will not fear the day if you put your trust in God. Constantly testing God and asking for signs isn’t living by faith.

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