A: It is certainly true that many temptations might be a simple matter of the devil using what already exists around us and within us to lead us into sin. A prime example of this occurred when Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden of Eden. The trees from which God had forbidden them to eat were already there. Satan merely drew Eve’s attention to one of them, and misrepresented what would happen if Eve ate from it. In such a case, Eve is really being tempted by “the world,” even though the devil was involved in getting her to think about that worldly item of a tree. (Genesis 3)

But there certainly are times when the devil can approach people directly to lead them into sin. It is not out of place to think of the temptation of our Savior in the wilderness (Matthew 4). Although Jesus is both God and man, He normally set aside the use of His divine powers and abilities while living among us. One might argue that the stakes were higher for the devil as well when he tempted Jesus, making it a different situation than ours. Nonetheless, it is still a case in which the devil approached a true human being directly to attempt leading that person into sin. Nor was it merely using the “things of this world,” such as the riches the devil offered to Jesus, which were a temptation. There were also temptations to doubt the promises of God, temptations of false doctrine (Matthew 4:6) and temptations to doubt even His own identity (“if you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3 and 6).

Satan can and does deal directly with other human beings, as well. Examples include “a woman…who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.” Jesus reiterated that this was “a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years.” (Luke 13,11 and 16). When working in the hearts and minds of non-Christians, God’s Word also makes it clear that it is the work of the devil which sees to the continuation of the unbelief. Referring to the devil as the “ruler of the kingdom of the air,” St Paul warns the Ephesians that the devil is “the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:1-2). Since the unbelieving of the world are already enemies of God, the devil doesn’t even need to lure them with temptations of wealth or power the way he tempted Jesus. He simply needs to see to it that the unbeliever will continue to despise God’s Word.

But it is hard to go beyond basics like this without risking the danger of falling into speculation. Because the devil is a spirit being, (as are the holy angels of God, as well) we won’t normally see him at work. Daniel chapter ten gives a fascinating picture of holy angels at work in the inner workings of the Babylonian and Persian governments. Without being told, Daniel would have had no idea why the politics of his land was turning out the way it was. But as it turns out, it was the work of angels, as much as or more than any natural event, which was shaping the history of the world.

Practically speaking, it is far more important for us to realize that the devil is very real, and that he “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Knowing there are constant threats against our faith and our eternal souls, we will seek the Lord with all our heart, and consider God’s Word and sacraments to be our dearest treasure whether we face the devil directly or indirectly.