In John 10:10 Jesus tells us that the thief (Satan) comes only to “steal and kill and destroy.” And so Satan tempts us, trying to lure us to say things we shouldn’t say, do things we shouldn’t do, go to places we shouldn’t go. Satan knows our temptation hot button(s), those areas in our lives where we are most vulnerable, most easily tempted. He usually knows them better than we do. Do you know what your temptation hot button(s)? Do you recognize when you are being tempted in this area, before it happens, while it is happening, or after you have given into the temptation? If it is after the fact, how could you in the future be more aware that you are being tempted, so that you can protect yourself before you give in?
When are you most vulnerable to temptation? Is it when you are hungry, angry, lonely, tired, or under some other circumstances not mentioned? How can you protect yourself when you are vulnerable in this way?
What have you done in the past to combat these times of temptation? Have you been successful? If you gave into temptation, how was your life affected? How could you change things in the future?
Jesus referred to Scripture when Satan tried to temp him in the desert. Do you know Scripture well enough to be able to use it as Jesus did? Are you reading your Bible regularly? If not, what would it take for you to establish a regular Bible study program? Would it help if you were a part of a small group Bible study? What would it take for you to be willing to make this happen?
Read Ephesians 6:10-18, where Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God. Read this section of Scripture at the beginning of every day for a couple of weeks, until you are very, very familiar with it. Consider starting each day with this Scripture, as a way of keeping yourself aware of Satan’s schemes and focusing yourself on God’s protection from those schemes.
Posts
3 comments:
I think it is very interesting that Jesus was purposely being tested by God. (Matt. 4:1) "Then the 'Spirit' led Jesus into the desert to be tempted..."
I am also curious as to why Jesus allowed himself to be temped 3 times before sending the devil away. Why didn’t Jesus command Satin to “Go, away!” (Matt 4:10) after Satin’s first attempt to tempt him? Any thoughts?
It is interesting that the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tested by the devil (NIV). Does that meant that God might use Satan to test us, to test me, to test you?
Why three times? Maybe Jesus was curious as to what Satan would do. Perhaps he thought Satan would go away after the first, and definitely after the second attempt (which Satan didn't do).
Maybe this was new for Jesus and he wasn't prepared at first for just how persistent Satan can be.
There is definite significance in Jesus' three temptations.
The temptations were threefold:
1) Physical. When Satan tempted Jesus the first time, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.", he was tempting Jesus' physical senses (after all, Jesus was fully human, and *40 days* is a long time to go without food). Jesus then rebukes Satan and tells him that "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God".
2) Testing. The second time, Satan tells Jesus to "throw himself down" to see if Jesus would test God. Jesus responds by telling Satan that "do not put the LORD your God to the test" (as the Israelites did at Massah, in the desert).
3) Allegiance. The third time, Satan tells Jesus that "all the kingdoms are mine to give" (which is a lie, as Adam was given dominion over the whole earth, not Satan) and tells Jesus he can give Him power over all if Jesus will serve him. Jesus responds that "you shall serve the LORD your God, and Him only" (and take all oaths only by His Name).
How often are we tempted in the same ways?
Post a Comment