Morning Prayer Reflection 7th November 2025
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” — Matthew 4:1-11
The Wilderness Within Us
In this passage, Jesus enters the wilderness—not by accident, but led by the Spirit. He faces three distinct temptations:
To turn stones into bread: a temptation to satisfy physical hunger through divine power.
To throw Himself from the temple: a temptation to test God’s protection through spectacle.
To worship the devil in exchange for worldly kingdoms: a temptation to gain power through compromise.
Each offer is seductive in its own way—meeting a real physical need, proving a divine identity, or achieving worldly influence.
Jesus responds not with cleverness or emotion, but with Scripture.
He stands firm, rooted in truth.
And though the phrase “Get behind me, Satan” comes later in Matthew’s Gospel, it echoes the same spiritual defiance.
It’s a declaration of boundaries, of clarity, of choosing God over deception.
I remember my dear old Catholic father would sometimes say, in times of trial, “Get behind me, Satan,” not with anger, but with conviction.
It was a lesson he learnt as a boy to name the moment, reclaim peace, and stand firm.
And it reminds me that resisting temptation isn’t just about strength—it’s about knowing who we are and whose we are.
A Word for Today
As we begin this day, we may face our own wilderness moments—choices, distractions, doubts.
But let us always remember:
- Temptation is not a sign of weakness—it’s part of the journey, which even Jesus faced.
- To use God’s Word as our support—Jesus didn’t argue or negotiate; He quoted truth.
- Speak with authority to temptation—“Get behind me, Satan” is not a phrase that belongs only to Jesus – it can be ours too.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you stood firm in the wilderness and spoke truth to temptation.
As we walk into this day, help us to recognize the voices that pull us away from you.
Give us courage to say (even if just within our hearts) “Get behind me, Satan,” when we are tested.
Fill us with your Word, steady our minds, and guide us in faithfulness. Amen.
