Trust in an Imperfect World

Trustworthy Under Test

Jesus was tested by Satan the Devil in an effort to break his integrity. He had to maintain his integrity through hardships and suffering, in contrast with Adam, whose obedience as a perfect man was tested simply by his being instructed to obey a divine law. In addition, Jesus had the pressure of knowing that upon his integrity rested the redemption of the human family. - Hebrews 5:8, 9.

Satan, determined to break Jesus' integrity, approached him when Jesus was at his weakest-after he had spent 40 days meditating and fasting in the wilderness. Three times he tempted Jesus-to turn stones into bread; to jump off the temple battlement, presuming that angelic intervention would save him and thus give a miraculous sign to prove his Messiahship; and to accept rulership of all the kingdom of this world in exchange for just one "act of worship" toward Satan. But Jesus rejected each temptation, maintaining his integrity to Jehovah. -Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.

Next time: The Integrity of Job

Watchtower, 1997