Monday, April 3, 2017

The Temptation of Jesus Part 1

Submitted by Sam Nobles
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry. Then the tempter approached Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." But He answered, ‘It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:1-4 HCSB)


As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing wrong with being hungry – especially after fasting for 40 days! Not to mention if you have the power to turn stones to bread why would that be a temptation? Why would that be bad?

Temptation begins in what we have a desire for because none of us would be tempted to do something we have no desire for (James 1:12-15). Therefore, natural, normal, and good desires can and will be exploited and hijacked by the devil – even something as simple as being hungry.

·      Desire for rest can become laziness.
·      Desire for righteousness can become anger.
·      Desire for companionship can become adultery, premarital sex, or lust.
·      Desire for comfort can become greed and covetousness.
·      Desire for acceptance can become envy and jealousy.

There are more important things in this life other than what I want or desire. Seeking the kingdom of God first, giving it priority, will allow you to receive those things that you rightly desire in the right way at the right time (Matthew 6:33). This is not the method of getting rich materially, but rather the way that your desires line up with God’s desires.

If Jesus had used the power given Him by the Father to turn stones into bread, it would be Him acting independently of the Father, at the word of Satan, to fulfill a fleshly desire, even though the desire is completely natural. Every day we have human desires that hold the capabilities to draw us out of the will of the Father. My desires will try to take short-cuts to grant me temporary satisfaction.

A fireplace is the correct place for a fire to be inside of the house, but that same fire on the livingroom floor would bring about horrible ramifications. Just remember that a good and right thing can be wrong if it is out of place.

Scripture to Claim:
“If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse to him.” (Proverbs 27:14 HCSB



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