Temptation of Jesus
The Greek word means either:
Test
or
Tempt
Depending on the context.
In the same event…
God Tests.
Satan Tempts.
The Good News: God will always give us strength
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
- Matthew 6:13
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
(Hebrews 2:9-18)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
God warns us not to bring on Temptation ourselves
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
- James 1:13,14
Jesus put Boundaries based on God’s Word
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
1st Temptation
Matthew 4:3
“The tempter came to him and said, If you are the son of God… bread.’”
Satan suggests what Jesus ought to do for himself.
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Q: How is the Devil tempting you to “Do something for yourself” that may “Side-track you” from God?
2nd Temptation
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Satan suggests what the Father ought to do for Jesus.
Q: How is the Devil tempting you to “Push the Limits” on God’s promises?
(Law of Diminishing Returns)
3rd Temptation
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Satan suggests how he could provide for Jesus.
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
Q: How does the Devil tempt you to compromise and take shortcuts?
(Snowball effect)
“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”
-Luke 4:13
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
- James 1:2-4
“A person is a slave to whatever has mastered them.”
“When you were dead in your sins… God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
-Colossians 3:13-15
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