From the earliest pages of the Bible, the footprints and fingerprints of temptation from Satan as the tempter have always been the same. In this study, we aim to examine the temptations instigated by Satan in the light of three categories defined in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These footprints and fingerprints help us understand the nature of temptation but also equip us to recognize and resist the wiles of the devil.
The Lust of the Eyes
The lust of the eyes pertains to covetousness and desire incited by what one sees. Satan, beholding the glory, worship, and honor given to God, desired it for himself. Ezekiel 28 speaks of the king’s beauty and the splendor of his garments, which are thought to symbolically refer to Satan’s original state as a beautiful and anointed cherub (Ezekiel 28:14). His eyes saw the majesty that belonged to God, and he coveted that position of ultimate authority and adoration for himself.
Adam & Eve (Genesis 3:6)
Eve saw that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and desired to make one wise. Here, the lust of the flesh hungered for something outside of God’s plan. The visual appeal of the fruit appealed to the lust of the eyes. And the desire to be wise appealed to the pride of life. And we will see that these three temptations are consistent with Satan’s footprints and fingerprints in every temptation.
Achan’s Sin (Joshua 7:21)
Similarly, Achan saw the spoils and coveted them. This was not merely a desire but a lust that led to disobedience to God’s explicit command, bringing about his destruction and affecting the entire Israelite community.
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The Lust of the Flesh
The lust of the flesh can be interpreted as a craving for things that gratify one’s physical needs or sensual desires. For Satan, this was not about physical hunger but a deeper, more insidious desire for power and authority that was not his to take. He desired to ascend and elevate his throne above the stars of God (Isaiah 14:13). Satan’s rebellion is seen as a quest for self-gratification and autonomy from God’s design and order.
David’s Temptation (2 Samuel 11:2-4)
David’s temptation by Bathsheba is a classic example of the lust of the flesh. Seeing her bathing invoked in him a desire that he acted upon, leading to adultery and, eventually, murder. His yielding to fleshly desires had profound consequences.
The Temptation in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)
The disciples, while not facing a temptation of a sexual nature, succumbed to the lust of the flesh through their desire for sleep rather than spiritual vigilance. Here we see that the flesh can be weak even in non-sexual contexts.
Judas Iscariot’s Greed (Luke 22:3-6; John 12:6)
Judas gave in to greed, a lust of the flesh that led to betrayal. His fleshly desire for wealth overcame his loyalty to Christ.
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The Pride of Life
The pride of life is about boasting of what one has and does, a preoccupation with status and self-importance. Isaiah 14:14 records the five “I will” statements attributed to Lucifer, indicative of his self-exaltation and desire to be like the Most High. This shows a heart lifted up because of beauty and corrupted by wisdom due to splendor, as mentioned in Ezekiel 28:17. Satan’s fall illustrates the ultimate pride of life, where he did not just desire to be like God in character and virtue but sought to usurp God’s very throne and become God himself.
Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10)
They fell into the temptation of the pride of life by lying about their donation, desiring recognition, and the appearance of piety. This was not just a lie to the apostles but to the Holy Spirit, and they paid with their lives.
Peter’s Rebuke (Matthew 16:23)
Peter’s suggestion that Jesus should avoid suffering was a temptation for Jesus to choose the easier path, to maintain earthly status and comfort, rather than fulfilling His divine mission through suffering.
Satan’s Rebellion (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28)
Satan’s rebellion, therefore, can be seen as a direct manifestation of these three categories of sin, which are rooted in selfishness and are in direct opposition to the character of God, who is selfless, giving, and humble (Philippians 2:6-8). These same categories of temptation that led to Satan’s fall are the ones he uses to lure humanity away from God, as seen in the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and the temptations of Christ in the wilderness (Matthew 4).
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Satanic Footprints and Fingerprints in our lives
The Apostles warned us in James 3:15 and 2 Thessalonians 2:9 about the devilish wisdom and the influence of Satan in the world, manifesting in false signs and wonders, and in doctrines contrary to the truth of God.
Jesus (Matthew 4)
Jesus Himself faced temptations in all three categories: to turn stones to bread (lust of the flesh), to jump from the pinnacle (the pride of life), and to bow down to Satan for the kingdoms of the world (lust of the eyes). He overcame each by the Word of God, setting an example for believers.
You and Me (James 3:13-18)
James contrasts two kinds of wisdom: the earthly wisdom that leads to envy, selfish ambition, and all forms of evil behaviors, and the heavenly wisdom that is characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, and sincerity. Earthly wisdom aligns with the temptations of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, fostering sinful desires, covetousness, and boastfulness. In contrast, heavenly wisdom leads to a life marked by peace, mercy, and good deeds—qualities that directly oppose such temptations and reflect a life lived in true submission to God.
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Paul cautions us in 1 Timothy 4:1 that some will depart from the faith, seduced by demonic teachings. Hence, being grounded in Scripture is crucial.
The Protection of the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17)
To withstand the temptations, believers are called to don the whole armor of God. This includes girding oneself with truth, wearing the breastplate of righteousness, having feet ready with the Gospel of peace, taking up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Prayer is how we put on this armor and stand firm against Satan’s temptations.
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Conclusion
The Bible vividly depicts the footprints and fingerprints of Satan’s temptations through the lust of the eyes, the flesh, or the pride of life. As believers, our defense lies in recognizing these patterns, adhering to biblical truth, and emulating Christ’s example in the face of temptation. The full armor of God is our provision for this spiritual battle, enabling us to stand firm in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Whenever we see these footprints and fingerprints, we can know Satan has been here. If we see these results in our lives, we need to examine our faith to draw closer to God so Satan will flee from us (James 4:8). If we see these results in other people’s lives, we need to faithfully pray for them and be careful to not let their sins affect us (1 Timothy 5:22). When we see these results in our church, we need to stand up for God or flee from the wrath to come.