Matthew 4:1, Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It is the college football bowl season, and for the first week of this year, the games seem endless. One thing you will notice watching any of these games is that not one of these teams runs the same play over and over. Their intent is to mix an assortment of plays up to confuse the defense. But regardless of the variety, all football plays are based on running or passing the football. The Devil is the same way. He uses many variations of temptation, but all of his ways are based upon what the Apostle John told us about in 1 John 2:16. The temptations from the Devil are based upon mans lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. If you look closely, you will see this pattern in the Devils first temptation in Genesis 3:6. In our verse today, Jesus has just been baptized and the Father said concerning Him, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. In the three temptations that follow, the Devil will question the love that the Father has for His Son, and His Son is at a physically weak point in His life. Notice in verses three and six, the Devil attempts to cause the Lord to question if He is really the Son of God. He does the same thing to us at weak moments in our lives. Also notice what the three temptations are based upon. The temptation in verse three is centered on the lust of the flesh, the temptation in verse six is centered on the pride of life, and the temptation in verse nine is centered on the lust of the eyes. Each temptation is counteracted by that which our loving Father has given us to withstand them by, the memorized word of God. Consider a couple of things as we all will experience temptation from time to time. Temptation is a reality in the Christian life. It is never sin to experience temptation, but it is sin to give in to temptation. We must be equipped and prepared to deal with it through the word of God. Next, we have the same choice as Jesus did. During times of temptation, we can trust in God and stick to the path He has set for us, or distrust Him and seek out the worldly way. Lastly, we can experience the same victories that the Lord did, when we possess the assurance that we are His beloved children in whom He is well pleased. Hebrews 4:15, For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:48:56 +0000
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