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TURNING FROM TEMPTATION (1)
'Jesus was ... tempted' Matthew 4:1
Here are two questions answered in the story of Jesus' temptation.
Question 1 - Are some people immune to temptation? Well, if Jesus was tempted, we've got no chance of getting away from it! Temptation is just one of those things that comes with being human. But Jesus did overcome it, and so we can too. The answer is not just to pray for it to go away, 'Lord, please take away all temptations so I can merrily skip from moment to moment, with nothing ever getting in the way!' No, satan used all manner of ways and means to tempt Jesus, and you'll get the same treatment. Being tempted doesn't mean you're not in the will of God. It may mean that satan (or his cronies) is nipping at your heels to stop you. So, 'Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes' (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).
Question 2 - When are you most likely to be tempted? Jesus was tempted just after His baptism, where the heavens opened and God publicly announced the arrival of His Son. If God appears to be moving in your life, don't think you've suddenly got it all together - that could be the perfect step for the enemy to take. Rather, take sudden and unwanted temptation as a sign that you are growing closer to God! After the devil tried and failed to defeat Jesus we read, 'Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee' (Luke 4:14 NKJ). And you will too!
What now? Read the story of full story Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4. See how Jesus had an answer to each temptation when it came. Think about the importance of knowing scripture like Jesus did.
written by Bob Gass
'Jesus was ... tempted' Matthew 4:1
Here are two questions answered in the story of Jesus' temptation.
Question 1 - Are some people immune to temptation? Well, if Jesus was tempted, we've got no chance of getting away from it! Temptation is just one of those things that comes with being human. But Jesus did overcome it, and so we can too. The answer is not just to pray for it to go away, 'Lord, please take away all temptations so I can merrily skip from moment to moment, with nothing ever getting in the way!' No, satan used all manner of ways and means to tempt Jesus, and you'll get the same treatment. Being tempted doesn't mean you're not in the will of God. It may mean that satan (or his cronies) is nipping at your heels to stop you. So, 'Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes' (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).
Question 2 - When are you most likely to be tempted? Jesus was tempted just after His baptism, where the heavens opened and God publicly announced the arrival of His Son. If God appears to be moving in your life, don't think you've suddenly got it all together - that could be the perfect step for the enemy to take. Rather, take sudden and unwanted temptation as a sign that you are growing closer to God! After the devil tried and failed to defeat Jesus we read, 'Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee' (Luke 4:14 NKJ). And you will too!
What now? Read the story of full story Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4. See how Jesus had an answer to each temptation when it came. Think about the importance of knowing scripture like Jesus did.
written by Bob Gass
