Temptation of Jesus
The Greek word means either:
Test
or
Temptation
Depending on the context.
God Tests.
Satan Tempts.
“ 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 1:13-15
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.”
#1 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.’”
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.’”
#2 Temptation… Matthew 4:5
Throw yourself off the Temple.
Satan suggests what the Father ought to do for Jesus.
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
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.”
#3 Temptation… Matthew 4:8
Bow down and worship me.
Satan suggests what 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.
Responding to Temptation
- Trust Jesus for 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.” 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
- James 1:2-4
Nnun
N othing
N egative
U nless
N ecessary
“A person is a slave to whatever has mastered them.”
-2 Peter 2:19