Matthew 4 -- His Temptations

Boy, my commentary had a lot of "meat" today!

"It is important to note that Jesus faced the enemy as man, not as the Son of God ... We must not think that Jesus used His divine powers to overcome the enemy, because that is just what the enemy wanted Him to do!  Jesus used the spiritual resources that are available to us today:  the power of the Holy Spirit of God and the power of the Word of God.  Jesus had nothing in His nature that would give Satan a foothold, but His temptations were real, just the same.  Temptation involves the will and Jesus came to do the Father's will."

"The first temptation was a subtle suggestion that our Father does not love us.  But there was another suggestion:  'Use Your divine powers to meet Your own needs.'  When we put our physical needs ahead of our spiritual needs, we sin.  When we allow circumstances to dictate our actions, instead of following God's will, we sin."

"The second temptation was even more subtle.  This time Satan also used the Word of God.  'So You intend to live by the Scriptures,' he implied.  'Then let me quote You a verse of Scripture and see if You will obey it!' ... Satan then quoted from Psalm 91:11-12, where God promised to care for His own.  'If You really believe the Scriptures, then jump!  Let's see if the Father cares for You!' ... Satan had cleverly omitted the phrase 'in all thy ways' when he quoted from Psalm 91.  When the child of God is in the will of God, the Father will protect him.  He watches over those who are in His ways."

"We tempt God when we put ourselves into circumstances that force Him to work miracles on our behalf."

"The devil offered Jesus a shortcut to His kingdom ... If He bowed down and worshiped Satan just once, He could enjoy all the glory without enduring the suffering.  Satan has always wanted worship, because Satan has always wanted to be God ... There are no shortcuts to the will of God.  If we want to share in the glory, we must also share in the suffering."

Satan continued to tempt Jesus during His lifetime on earth.  He does the same with us.  "One victory never guarantees freedom from further temptation.  If anything, each victory we experience only makes Satan try harder."

Wow, Father!  What it must feel like to have nothing in our nature that Satan could use as a foothold!  Help me never to doubt Your love for me.  Help me not to put my physical needs ahead of my spiritual needs.  Don't let me allow circumstances to dictate my actions instead of following Your will.  Keep me in Your ways.  And remind me often how Satan uses "just once" as an enticement to sin, trying to make us believe that just once won't hurt.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford