Day Two: Marshmallow Test (Mark 1:12-13 & Matthew 4:1-11)
Devotional: In the 1970’s a research team from Stanford University performed a group experiment called the “marshmallow test”. They placed kids in a room with a bag of marshmallows and a researcher asked questions and had them do a series of tasks. If they did well, they got marshmallows. The researcher would then leave the room. And on the way out would say, “I’m leaving a marshmallow on the table. If you don’t eat the marshmallow while I’m gone, I’ll give you two of them when I get back. But if you eat it, it’s the only one you’re going to get."
The responses of the kids, trying to overcome the temptation to eat the marshmallow was precious. They would sing songs, sit on their hands or get as close to the marshmallow as possible without touching it. Or they’d sniff at it. Some of the kids resisted the temptation and some gave in.
Now here’s what’s fascinating about the experiment. They continued to monitor the kids well into their adult lives. And the kids that resisted the temptation to eat the marshmallows ended up more likely to graduate from college and having successful careers than the kids that gave into the temptation of eating the marshmallows.
There’s a lesson in this experiment for us as Christ followers. We can give into temptation to experience short-term pleasures, but it will be at the expense of long-term spiritual success. Satan knew what Jesus came to do. He thought he could get Jesus to give into the temptation of pleasure (turning stone to bread), pride (jumping from the temple), and materialism (accepting the kingdom/glory).
1 John 2:15-17 says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
With Jesus in the wilderness, Satan was appealing to the temptations we all face in life- desires of the flesh (pleasure), desires of the eyes (materialism), and the pride of life (pride). 1 John 2:17 says that “whoever does the will of God abides forever”. Jesus, who in human form was still a perfect God, never sacrificed short-term pleasure for the eternal purposes of God.
What about us? Will we live for the temporary pleasures of the world or for the eternal purposes of God? This side of heaven, we won’t always get that question right, but aren’t you thankful for the cross and the resurrection? His grace abounds farther than our sin. And His power is stronger than our temptation. In the moment of temptation remember the long-term impact if we resist. And in that moment fight back with Scripture, like Jesus did. And ask God for the power and strength to resist.
Prayer: Write on a piece of paper… desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of life. Under each, write one specific way you are tempted in that area. Keep the paper with you and take time each day asking for the strength to resist the temptations. Perhaps ask a friend or mentor to pray over the list with you.
Devotional: In the 1970’s a research team from Stanford University performed a group experiment called the “marshmallow test”. They placed kids in a room with a bag of marshmallows and a researcher asked questions and had them do a series of tasks. If they did well, they got marshmallows. The researcher would then leave the room. And on the way out would say, “I’m leaving a marshmallow on the table. If you don’t eat the marshmallow while I’m gone, I’ll give you two of them when I get back. But if you eat it, it’s the only one you’re going to get."
The responses of the kids, trying to overcome the temptation to eat the marshmallow was precious. They would sing songs, sit on their hands or get as close to the marshmallow as possible without touching it. Or they’d sniff at it. Some of the kids resisted the temptation and some gave in.
Now here’s what’s fascinating about the experiment. They continued to monitor the kids well into their adult lives. And the kids that resisted the temptation to eat the marshmallows ended up more likely to graduate from college and having successful careers than the kids that gave into the temptation of eating the marshmallows.
There’s a lesson in this experiment for us as Christ followers. We can give into temptation to experience short-term pleasures, but it will be at the expense of long-term spiritual success. Satan knew what Jesus came to do. He thought he could get Jesus to give into the temptation of pleasure (turning stone to bread), pride (jumping from the temple), and materialism (accepting the kingdom/glory).
1 John 2:15-17 says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
With Jesus in the wilderness, Satan was appealing to the temptations we all face in life- desires of the flesh (pleasure), desires of the eyes (materialism), and the pride of life (pride). 1 John 2:17 says that “whoever does the will of God abides forever”. Jesus, who in human form was still a perfect God, never sacrificed short-term pleasure for the eternal purposes of God.
What about us? Will we live for the temporary pleasures of the world or for the eternal purposes of God? This side of heaven, we won’t always get that question right, but aren’t you thankful for the cross and the resurrection? His grace abounds farther than our sin. And His power is stronger than our temptation. In the moment of temptation remember the long-term impact if we resist. And in that moment fight back with Scripture, like Jesus did. And ask God for the power and strength to resist.
Prayer: Write on a piece of paper… desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of life. Under each, write one specific way you are tempted in that area. Keep the paper with you and take time each day asking for the strength to resist the temptations. Perhaps ask a friend or mentor to pray over the list with you.
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