Dustin Woodward - February 22, 2026
The Truth About Temptation
In Week Two of our Jesus Is King series, Pastor Dustin unpacks a powerful message titled “The Truth About Temptation.” We begin where we left off last week — at the baptism of Jesus. In Matthew 3:17, the Father declares, “This is My beloved Son…” Before Jesus performed miracles or preached to crowds, His identity was affirmed. But immediately after that moment of public declaration, Matthew 4:1 tells us that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Identity is often declared in public, but it is proven in private. In the wilderness, the enemy did not begin by attacking Jesus’ strength. He attacked His identity. In Matthew 4:3, Satan says, “If you are the Son of God…” If the enemy can shake your identity, he can shape your behavior. Temptation often starts with questioning who you are and whose you are. Pastor Dustin reminds us that desire itself is real, but it does not define you. After forty days of fasting, Matthew 4:2 says Jesus was hungry. The desire was legitimate. Yet Hebrews 4:15 tells us He was tempted in every way, just as we are, and yet without sin. Desire makes a great servant but a terrible master. The battle of temptation is ultimately decided by the voice you believe. Jesus shows us how to defeat temptation: Fight from identity, not for it. Romans 8:1 declares there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. When you are trying to earn God’s love, temptation will always feel stronger than you. But when you stand secure in who you are in Christ, you fight from victory, not for it. Prepare before the battle. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” Jesus did not prepare in the wilderness. He prepared before it. You do not rise to the occasion; you fall to the level of your formation. Name the lie. In John 8:44, Jesus calls Satan the father of lies. When you can identify the lie, you can break its power over your life. Choose obedience over relief. In the wilderness, bread represented immediate relief, but obedience produced lasting freedom. Galatians 5:1 reminds us that Christ has set us free. Freedom comes not from satisfying every desire, but from trusting God in the middle of it. And here is the hope: Hebrews 2:18 tells us that because Jesus suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. He shared in our humanity, broke the power of the enemy, and freed us from slavery to fear. And 1 John 2:1 reminds us that even when we fall, we have an advocate with the Father — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. Temptation is real. The battle is intense. But Jesus is King — even in the wilderness.
From Series: "Jesus is King"
Jesus asked, “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) Not what the crowd says. Not what you’ve always heard. Not what’s convenient. Just one question that changes everything: Who is Jesus to you?
