Everyone undergoes the test of physical need along our spiritual journey. This earthy life is an ongoing test. Each person has physical needs, such as food and shelter, but will we place those ahead of our spiritual needs? Making spiritual needs a priority is not the way of the world but God’s way. Isaiah 55: 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” [1]
Spending time in God’s word moves us from our perspective to God’s. The prodigal son took his inheritance before his father died and spent it on wild living until his money ran out. During the physical need of hunger, he came to his senses as he realized he had forgotten about his spiritual needs. Luke 15:18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’ [2] Neglecting his spiritual needs led him into sin; the same thing happens to us.
Satan Tempted Jesus With Physical Needs
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for forty days and nights. During this time, Jesus fasted and was very hungry. It was during this time of great hunger that the devil tempted Jesus. Matthew 4:3 During that time, the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” [3]
The devil was tempting Jesus to misuse His power to meet His physical needs rather than fulfill his mission from the Father. Jesus wisely placed His spiritual needs above His physical needs as He used God’s word to defeat the devil. When we place our spiritual needs above our physical needs, the Lord helps us overcome the temptation of wrong priorities.
The Importance of God’s Word
Just as Jesus relied on God’s word, we can do the same when facing temptation. As believers, we need to know God’s word and meditate on it regularly. To meditate on God’s word is to let the word soak into our hearts so the Lord can bring His word to our minds in times of trouble. Just as our bodies need physical food, our souls need the spiritual food of God’s word.
Also, as believers, we can come together in prayer when overwhelmed with temptation. When we call a friend, not only can they intercede for us, but there is strength when we share our struggles with another person. The Lord knows our struggles, and when we look to the Lord for our strength, He is always there to help us.
To learn about the test of physical need, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-is-tempted
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.