The Apostle gives us this exhortation: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings." (1 Peter 4:12-13)
It is the thought that when we are tempted we are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that enables us to "count it all joy when [we] fall into divers temptations." (James 1:2) "For in that He himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted." (Hebrews 2:18)
We are to overcome even as Christ himself overcame: "To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne." (Revelation 3:21) "Forasmuch, then, as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind; for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." (1 Peter 4:1)
It becomes us, therefore, to study carefully the account of the great temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. In the first place, remember that the great temptation immediately followed the anointing by the Holy Spirit. Let no one therefore think that a wonderful blessing is a pledge of freedom from trial. Rather conclude that God, foreseeing fierce temptations about to assail you, is preparing you to meet them successfully. Satan plies his temptations the most vigorously after one has been greatly helped, because he knows that he may find the soul off its guard. "[Uzziah] was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction." (2 Chronicles 26:15-16) "Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12)
The first recorded words of Satan to Jesus were: "If you be the Son of God" (Matthew 4:3) He would have Jesus doubt His Sonship. There is no way in which Satan causes more people to fall than by leading them to doubt their acceptance with God. And these temptations are the most likely to come, too, just after a great spiritual uplifting. Satan will seek to lead us to doubt our experience, or to think that God has forsaken us.
At such times it is a most pleasant thing to know that we have the same assurance that Christ himself had. What was the evidence to Him that He was the Son of God? It was the word of God that came to Him after His baptism, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17)
That same word comes to us, calling us beloved sons: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." (1 John 3:2) "Herein is our love made perfect ... because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)--Present Truth, March 1, 1894--Original title: Front Page--Timeline: II-3 (The Temptation)--Matthew 4:3.