Jesus dealt with three temptations in the wilderness and these are the same temptations every born-again believer will encounter during their life on the earth.
1. The LUST of the FLESH......."If you are the Son of God command that these stones become bread," (Matthew 4:3). Satan wanted Jesus to prove His Sonship through His gifts and power and not by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God...."It is written!"
2. The PRIDE of LIFE.... "If you are the Son of God throw yourself down, for it is written:
"He shall give His angels charge over you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, unless you dash your foot against a stone," (Matthew 4:6).
Unfortunately, the devil knows the Bible more than some Christians. He quoted scripture to Jesus unlawfully and conveniently left out a portion of this verse.....“To keep you in all your ways.” God has never promised, nor has ever given any protection of angels for sinful and forbidden ways. The deceiver was trying to deceive by using Jesus' own weapon against Him! Jesus knew that tempting God is forbidden....
Relationship "with" our Father, void of trust "in" our Father, always demands a test....
3. The LUST OF THE EYES...Satan had shown Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
SHORTCUTS.....He wanted Jesus to take a shortcut from doing God's perfect will....All Jesus would have to do is give satan what he has been longing for ever since he fell from heaven to the pit-----> worship and recognition from God Himself. This is a revealing insight into satan’s evil heart ---->worship and recognition are far more important to him than the possessions of the kingdoms of the world. Satan is still the one who said "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH," (Isaiah 14:13-14).
Satan is still a liar, full of covetousness, envy and jealousy of God. Which is why he hates when "we," the children of God worship our Father in spirit and in truth.... He flees like the flea that he is because he can't stand to hear us praise and worship our Abba!! This is yet, another reason for every born-again believer to unceasingly worship and praise God everyday.
By relying on the power and truth of God’s word, Jesus was willing to fight His battle as a "man," (Philippians 2:7-9). He could have easily rebuked satan into another galaxy, but chose to resist him in a way that "we" can imitate and identify with. If we are ignorant of God’s word, we are poorly armed in the FIGHT!💪Armor up!
God Bless You,
Sonia McQueen
Teaching From Ecole Talmidim's Program One Teaching Series
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