“Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” (vv. 5-6)

It is, I think, the overlooked temptation.

We know the enemy will tempt us to satisfy ourselves, to lean on bread instead of the One who gives it. And we know he will tempt us with the stuff of earth, a panorama of worldly successes and possessions.

But we look past the other one.

Maybe we shouldn’t.

I mean, how often do we throw ourselves down from the heights of election by grace? How often do we sin, fully convinced that the grace of God will cover us? How many times do we behave dangerously, spend unwisely, or worship halfheartedly—all willfully, all with a confidence that mercy still works in the aftermath?

How often do we put God to the test?

That’s the overlooked temptation. See, then, the Lord’s example—and follow Him! Instead of pre-approving your foolishness with grace’s underwriting, reject foolishness for a life that reflects what grace had already done in you. Don’t let the popular theology of “God’s got this” translate into spiritual, physical, or financial carelessness.

In other words, don’t put God to the test.

— Tyler