We see and hear a lot things these days. Do you find it hard to discern the truth? Jesus was tempted and left us an example of how to stand.
Matthew 4:1-3 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
We are often tempted by those things around us. Do we get stronger each time we resist the temptation and those things which are thrown into our path? Jesus gave us a beautiful example. The book of Proverbs and many of the books of the Bible teach us how to live a healthy and righteous life. The warnings in Proverbs is amazing. Can we study and hold onto this great wisdom? We have the Holy Spirit to help but we need to know God’s Word. Will we keep adding to our tool box?
Matthew 4:4-11 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.'” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple 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.'” Jesus said to him, “It is WRITTEN again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said, “Away with you, satan! For it is WRITTEN, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.'” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Here we are given three examples of how the devil tempted Jesus. These examples are specific yet broad. The devil knows human nature. The devil will choose that thing which is hardest for us. Maybe gossip, anger, food, alcohol, sex, it could be any thing but it can fit into any one of these three examples of physical need, recklessness with our lives and others lives, living in a way that dishonors God and others.
Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished.
We none are immune to temptation. One of mine is smoking. I am thankful God showed me the demons attached to this drug. Still when I am stressed the demons show up to tempt me and trust me they only try to make it look so wonderful. I started doing a old LP scratch in my head and speaking the truth about it: it stinks, hurts my health, it’s expensive. Then I ask God to put this thing away from me. God is faithful, God never changes, His Word is true.
God the Father had just told Jesus, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The devil kept saying, “If You are the Son of God.” Jesus believed His Father and stood on what He said to Him.
John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 Corinthians 15:27-28 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “All things are put under Him,” it is evident that He put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
Blessed be our Lord and Savior. Our High Priest, our King forever. To Him be the glory , honor, and praise.
Isaiah 42:5-6 Thus says God the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it: I the Lord have called You in righteousness. And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people. As a light to the gentiles.
Thank You Abba!
