After the Savior was baptized, He went into the wilderness to be with God (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1 [in Matthew 4:1, footnote b]). Satan tempted Him, but He resisted the temptations. In this lesson you can identify principles to help you follow the example of the Savior in resisting the temptations of Satan.
Reading scripture passages. There are various ways to read scripture passages in class, including reading as a class, reading aloud in small groups, or students reading silently to themselves. Consider the needs and abilities of your students, and select the reading method that will best suit the needs of the class. For example, if some students struggle with literacy, it may be helpful to invite students who read well to read in front of the class. Alternatively, reading in small groups or partnerships can help increase the energy in a class.
Student preparation: Invite students to think about temptations they are facing and how the Savior can help them resist.
Possible Learning Activities
We all face temptation
Don’t spend too much time on the beginning portion of the lesson. Help students focus on the importance of resisting temptation more than on the temptations themselves. An alternate activity for beginning class is located in the “Supplemental Learning Activity” section of this lesson.
In your study journal or on a separate piece of paper, draw a stick figure that represents a person your age. Next to the figure, write two or three temptations this person might face.
Why might this person give in to these temptations?
How will their life be better if they are able to resist these temptations?
What blessings have you experienced as you have resisted temptation?
As you study today, think about the temptations you face. Seek the inspiration of the Holy Ghost as you look for what you can learn from the Savior’s example about how to resist these and future temptations.
One experience came after His baptism, when He went into the wilderness to be with God (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1 [in Matthew 4:1, footnote b]). After Jesus had communed with God for 40 days, Satan came to tempt Him (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:2 [in Matthew 4:2, footnote c]). By studying this event in the Savior’s life, we can learn from His example ways to resist the temptations we face.
For this account, the Joseph Smith Translation provides changes and clarifications that can help us understand the scriptures more clearly. (You might want to review the information on the Joseph Smith Translation in the “Studying the Scriptures” lesson.)
As you use the Joseph Smith Translation in the following activity, notice how using it increases your understanding of the scriptures. Pay close attention to the impressions of the Holy Ghost, and make notes of any promptings you receive.
Carefully read Matthew 4:1–11, including the changes given in the Joseph Smith Translation. Identify ways to complete this statement: can help us resist temptation.
You could use the following chart to assist you.
Consider drawing the following chart on the board and filling it in with students’ responses.
If students do not have access to footnotes containing the Joseph Smith Translation, consider displaying the Joseph Smith Translation of these verses on the board or a poster. (The verses are provided in the “Commentary and Background Information” section of this lesson.)
Give students time to study Matthew 4:1–11 thoroughly. You may want to work with individual students to help them notice details that might help them identify principles.
Students might identify several principles in these verses, including the following:
Strengthening our relationship with God can help us resist temptation (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1, 5, 8 [in Matthew 4:1, footnote b; Matthew 4:5, footnote a; Matthew 4:8, footnote a]).
Diligently fasting can help us resist temptation (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:2 [in Matthew 4:2, footnote c]; Matthew 4:3–4).
Removing evil influences from our lives can help us resist temptation (see Matthew 4:10).
Understanding our true identity can help us resist temptation (see Matthew 4:3–10).
Recalling and applying truths from the scriptures can help us resist temptation (see Matthew 4:1–10). Note that this truth will be the focus of the next lesson.
What principles did you identify from the Savior’s example?
How can these principles help you access the Savior’s power to help you and others resist temptation?
How might using the Joseph Smith Translation in your own scripture study improve your study and help you come to know the Savior better?
Review the drawing you created at the beginning of the lesson and the principles you identified from the Savior’s example in Matthew 4:1–11.
Which principle do you feel would be most helpful for the person you drew? Why?
What did you learn about Jesus Christ that you could share with this person? How would this help them?
The Savior can succor us in our temptations
In this portion of the lesson, invite students to recall their thoughts and feelings from the student preparation activity.
Think about the temptations that you face. Sometimes we may feel guilty or sinful simply because we feel tempted. However, it is important to recognize that a temptation in and of itself is not a sin—but acting on it is. Because the Savior Himself was also tempted and yet remained sinless, we know that He is able to succor (aid, assist, or support) us in our temptations (see Hebrews 2:18; 4:15–16).Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminded us:
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Elder Ulisses Soares
For those who, for whatever reason, fall into temptation and are dwelling upon unrighteous actions, I assure you that there is a way back, that there is hope in Christ.
What was the most helpful concept that you learned about the Savior in this lesson? Why is it helpful to you?
Without describing your specific temptations, what is something you feel inspired to do to more fully rely on the Savior to help you resist temptation?
Commentary and Background Information
Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1–2, 5–6, 8–9, 11. What revisions did Joseph Smith make to Matthew 4:1–11 in his inspired translation?
[The italicized words indicate inspired revisions made by Joseph Smith.]
1 Then Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness, to be with God.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, and had communed with God, he was afterwards an hungered, and was left to be tempted of the devil.
5 Then Jesus was taken up into the holy city, and the Spirit setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple.
6Then the devil came unto him and said, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
8And again, Jesus was in the Spirit, and it taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.
9 And the devil came unto him again, and said, All these things will I give unto thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
11And now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and, behold, they came and ministered unto him.
Why is being careful in my thoughts important in resisting temptation?
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described one way we can follow the Savior’s example to resist temptation. Watch “Seek Christ in Every Thought” from time code 10:56 to 12:37 (available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org), or read the following statement.
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Elder Ulisses Soares
While preparing to accomplish His divine mission on earth, the Savior Jesus Christ exemplified the importance of constantly resisting everything that might dissuade us from realizing our eternal purpose. After several unsuccessful attacks by the enemy, who attempted to divert Him from His mission, the Savior categorically dismissed the devil by saying: “Get thee hence, Satan. … Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Can you imagine, my brothers and sisters, what would happen if we were to derive strength and courage from the Savior and say, “No” and “Get thee hence” to unvirtuous thoughts that very first moment they come into our minds? What would be the impact on the desires of our hearts? How would our resulting actions keep us close to the Savior and allow the continued influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives? I know that by following Jesus’s example, we will avoid many tragedies and undesirable behaviors that might cause family problems and disagreements, negative emotions and inclinations, perpetrating injustices and abuses, enslavement by evil addictions, and anything else that would be against the Lord’s commandments.
Watch the video “Stay within the Lines” (5:10), found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, to see some answers to this question.
How can the scriptures help me overcome temptations?
Elder Kelly R. Johnson of the Seventy explained:
Through preparation, the Savior grew in power and was able to resist all of Satan’s temptations. As we follow the Savior’s example and prepare through studying the word of God and deepening our faith, we also can draw upon the power of God to resist temptations.
(Kelly R. Johnson, “Enduring Power,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 113)
Supplemental Learning Activity
Option to begin the lesson
An “escape room” is an attraction used to challenge people to find ways to escape a particular situation. It may benefit students to look at Matthew 4:1–11 as a plan to help them “escape temptation” (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). Provide clues with physical items that relate to Matthew 4:1–11, and invite students to follow the Savior’s example to escape temptation. For example, students could be provided with a fast-offering envelope to represent fasting or a set of scriptures to represent studying the word of God in the scriptures.