How tempting… we use this phrase to describe something which looks good, tastes good, feels good yet we know we should not do, or eat. Temptation is a strong urge or desire to have or do something that is bad or unwise.
The temptations of Jesus is a familiar story for many of us. Turn stones into bread.. jump from the highest point… bow and worship the devil..(Matthew 4) As I read again this story, here are some lessons/reminders:
v. 1 Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Observations: Led by the Spirit; tempted by the devil
The Spirit refers to the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit
Implications:
1) Does this mean that God directed Jesus straight to the place where the devil would tempt Jesus? Yes, He did.
2) What does this imply?
God allowed Jesus to be tempted by the devil. It was the devil who did the tempting.
Led by the Spirit = God’s test. God’s leading always puts us in places to strengthen us. God’s tests are for our benefits.
Tempted by the devil = Devil’s temptation. The devil’s seduction always puts us in places to pull us down. His enticements are for our defeat.
The 3 if’s:
1) IF you are the Son of God… turn stone to bread (for physical satisfaction)
2) IF you are the Son of God… jump off the peak (for emotional satisfaction)
Both temptations are based on the taunt : Prove to me you are the Son of God… do this..
3) IF you will bow down and worship me…
The first two temptations deal with Jesus’ identity or status. The last one deals with His loyalty. The devil knew that Jesus knows He is the Son of God, no need to prove
His status. So the last temptation was to get Jesus to turn away from that status, to show allegiance to the devil instead.
Truths to apply:
1) God allows us to be tested so we can be stronger.
2) We fight temptations with the word of God.
3) Where the Spirit leads, He enables.
4) We are children of God – there is no ‘if’. We do not need to perform miracles to prove our status.
5) Children of God are loyal to God only – there can be no ‘if’ when it comes to our loyalty. We do not need to bow down to the world, to the devil’s appeal to gain all the worldly glory and splendour. As God’s children, our status is all the glory we need.
