Temptation, the Church and the child of God

What can we learn from Jesus in how He handled temptation and what can we learn from how satan tried to tempt?


The most detailed account of a period of temptation is found in Luke 4. With each temptation

What is temptation?

Luke 4:2 Being fortyG5062 daysG2250 temptedG3985 ofG5259 theG3588 devil.G1228 AndG2532 inG1722 thoseG1565 daysG2250 he did(G3756) eatG5315 nothing:G3762 andG2532 when theyG846 were ended,G4931 he afterwardG5305 hungered.G3983

Strongs G3985
πειράζω
peirazō
pi-rad'-zo

From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline: - assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt (-er), try.


Luke 4:13 AndG2532 when theG3588 devilG1228 had endedG4931 allG3956 the temptation,G3986 he departedG868 fromG575 himG846 for a season.G891 G2540

Strongs G3986:
πειρασμός
peirasmos
pi-ras-mos'

From G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity: - temptation, X try.


First Temptation:

Matthew 4
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

Consider this:

Jesus was hungry and Himself, God, at the same time. There would be nothing wrong with turning stones to bread would there? Later in Mark 6:30-44 Jesus did a miracle to feed five thousand people and again in Mark 8:1-9 He again fed the people, four thousand. So what could be wrong with Jesus turning the stones into bread?

The answer is not as obvious as one might assume. Many believe that law is a list of do not’s, such as the ten commandments and no other reasoning is involved and often, are under the impression that if they want to do something and the “do not” is not found in the bible, it is an authorized activity.

In this situation, there is nothing wrong with this activity, yet Jesus rejects it. The question is not “what is being asked” but “who” is doing the asking and what is satan’s ulterior motive?

To do ANYTHING that satan suggests, is to obey him. Satan wanted Jesus to do what He suggested and not trust that His Father would care for Him at this time where any person, after 40 days of fasting, would be starving, malnourished and teetering upon death’s door.

God had told Jesus that He had a task to do in His life, fasting in the desert it seems was part of that. For Jesus, to obey the Father’s Word more important than the perseveration of the flesh and that is why Jesus responded:

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

And similarly in response to His apostles and teaching the woman at the well:

John 4:34
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

Jesus HAD to resist satan, no matter what he asked, suggested, commanded, insinuated or even hinted at. To compromise on any level would equate to total obedience to satan’s will and a total rejection to the will of the Father. No matter if it were as innocent as preserving His own life by eating bread when hungry.

Second Temptation:

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “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, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’”

Consider this:

What could be tempting about this question, even if it obviously a test?
For one, please notice that satan quotes scripture in attempts to give supposed authority to what he is saying. It shows that not all scripture used, is used correctly. Also, if Jesus did not hold scripture as important and authoritative, satan would not have used them, after all, how could Jesus not respect His own Word?
Jesus knew He was God and the Jews should worship Him. He was to draw all people and redeem the Jews to Him, John 12:32.

Satan seemed to want to take advantage of Jesus’ desire to do what the Father wanted Him to do and He, Himself, wanted to accomplish, which was to be lifted up before all men. Again, Jesus did not choose to take advantage of the short-cut satan offered.

By rejecting satan, Jesus did the will of the Father, not satan or the flesh.
To take this route to a type of fleshly glory would have been easier than being killed on a cross as the Father planned and Jesus refers to later in His life, in John 12:27-36, His impending crucifixion.

This is not the only time satan tries to tempt Jesus in this way as we see in Matthew 16:22-24. Satan takes advantage of Peter’s feelings to try to influence Jesus to not offer Himself up and in Matthew 27:42 where satan struck at Jesus through those that taunted Him at the crucifixion.

Third Temptation:
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Conclusion:
In this third temptation, although similar to the temple temptation, this time it is on a world wide scale and satan becomes so bold as to come out and say what his goal truly is, to be worshiped by Jesus, God in the flesh, thus take the place of the Father as God.

In response to satan, Jesus uses scripture to rebuke and state the law of God,

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.”

When Jesus had rejected satan, he left and Jesus was then comforted by the angles of God.

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

Observations:

1. Satan looks for weakness so we must keep our faith in God’s promises and Word. Satan tried to take advantage of Jesus in His weakened state. Satan tried to play upon Jesus’ passionate love for His people, the Jews and the world.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Ephesians 6:16
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

2. Satan can take advantage of our good intentions, goals, desires, goals and even partial truth and twist them toward his agenda. Satan used the prophesies/scriptures and even twisted the will of the Father and Jesus own will to not actually do what God’s will but his own. Any other path or pattern was not God’s but satans.

By quoting the will of God, His Word, Jesus turned away satan. Satan is powerless against this, for it is the sword of the Spirit of God, Ephesians 6:17. By doing only the will of God as was given, Jesus was able to abide in Truth and resist temptation. Jesus did only what the Father says and wants, nothing more, John 5:30. We are to do the same, 1 Peter 2:21.

3. Satan is a liar. He wants people to not use scripture, because he is powerless against it. He wants us to use scripture incorrectly to teach our ideas, even thought there are other verses that conflict. He wants us to not look at the scriptures as a source and guide with authority but instead, with doubt and liberty of all opinion. This is exactly what he did with Jesus. He misused scripture and even when it is quoted correctly; it is twisted in motive, meaning and context, which would have lead to an unrighteous end. This game of satan’s is nothing new and he not only played it with Jesus but also the church today.

In the church today, there are many false teachings but also a push to not even teach the Truth. For example, some believe that the gospel basics (milk of the Word only, not the doctrine of the apostles through the Spirit) is the only enforceable teaching and all the rest of scripture is open for all to decide on their own.

This concept is contrary to the entire goal of the Holy Spirit when Jesus said He would guide the apostles onto all the rest of the Truth and the Holy Spirit would guide us onto all Truth, John 16:13. No matter how reasonable something sounds, if God says differently, then it is our duty as the church to abide in God’s Word since to do otherwise is to do satan’s will, just as we saw in Jesus’ temptation.

John 16:13
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Or when satan does not want us to correct sin in the church because it is uncomfortable at times and can even be insulting to those who are sensitive and learn they are wrong or hold to false teaching. Satan would have us be quiet or water down but 2 Timothy 3:16, the Word of God, says differently.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

4. Satan wanted Jesus to go outside the plan and pattern. Notice that Jesus had to go to the cross and all through scripture, He could not be killed or diverted from the plan because often Jesus said, “My time has not yet come”, John 7:6. The church has been given a plan and pattern as well, and by no less of an author with authority, God.

To go off the pattern and plan the Father had for Jesus by jumping off the temple, eating bread during His fast or worshiping satan for power, would have put satan in the place of authority. Any of the paths were wrong son long as it was different from the one path God set to the cross that Jesus had to follow to fulfill all righteousness.

5. The church, the children of God have a pattern and path to walk and a Word to abide in.

Philippians 3:17
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

2 Thessalonians 3:9
not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

Hebrews 6:12
that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

As an obedient child of God, if we hear anything, be wise, check it against scripture, make sure it is not satan twisting the scriptures to deceive us, Acts 17:10-12, 2 Peter 3:15-17. The Truth is in the whole counsel of God and that is what we are to study to know the path of righteousness, Psalm 119:105.

If our own belief and teaching is shown to be doubtful because it is not in scripture or not all scripture agrees with it, let us not be deceived and love God enough to study all the scriptures to show ourselves approved 2 timothy 2:15.

The next time we are tempted to do anything other than the will of God, which is the Word, check it against the Word, for in doing so, we can then see our way through our problem, temptation, trial or issue, no matter what it is. If it was the tool and sword against satan, Psalm 18:29-31, Ephesians 6:17, and God’s Son Himself used and modeled for us, we are to abide in His example and follow no other Way

John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.