The Inevitability of Temptation

The Holy Bible

We live in a world of continuous activity, distractions and chaos. There's always something going on that catches a person off balance and down a spiritual pit. With the advent of technology, temptation lurks at every corner, polluting minds while enriching the hard-hearted. There's nothing lacking when it comes to resources to tempt for good or bad as creating one has become easier. Human's are happy to do the tempting for Satan.

#Temptation is Not Sin

Temptation itself is not sin. But when one falls for the temptation and gets taken in by the lies to act inappropriately, that is sin.

But Jesus, speaking about temptation said:

"I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven...But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:3-6.

Behind every temptation is a tempter who hopes to gain by cornering the victim.

In Matthew 4, after Jesus' baptism, He was taken in the Spirit to the desert to be tested or tempted by the Devil. He had been fasting for forty days.

The Tempter had been watching and knew He was hungry.

#First Temptation

To satisfy His hunger.

After forty days of fasting, He was obviously hungry. The devil came to Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread."

Jesus responded: "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.' "

#Second Temptation

The devil then took Him to the highest point of the Temple in Jerusalem and said, "If You are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order His angels to protect You. And they will hold You up with their hands so You won't even hurt Your foot on a stone.' "

Jesus responded: "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the LORD Your God.' "

#Third Temptation

"Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. I will give it all to You," he said, "if You will kneel down and worship me."

Jesus responded, "Get out of here, Satan. For the Scriptures say, You must worship the LORD your God and serve only Him.' "

In each of the temptations, Jesus used a Scripture, to demolish the devils arguments. The Bible says, the Word of God is powerful and sharper than the sharpest double-edged sword. It demolishes arguments and takes captive every thought to the obedience of God, the Word being the sword of the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17.

#Falling into Sin Shifts Balance of Power

Satan doesn't succeed in controlling a person who refuses to yield to the temptation. Once a person gives in, they loose power to the tempter. That's why the devil piles on pressure using subtle means to get a person to comply and then catches them when unaware.

#Weakness of the Human Flesh

As humans we face a cunning and manipulative enemy. Sometimes the flesh caves-in out of fear. But when we see ourselves as God sees us, and that life has a beginning and end that has been predetermined by God, we can resist.

#Power to Resist

There's One the devil fears and cannot overcome, and that's Jesus Christ.

When we receive the power of the Resurrected Christ, we are enabled to resist temptation by the knowledge of what Christ has done for us--His blood atonement. The Holy Spirit takes control and deals directly with the Devil on our behalf.

The same method he used on Christ is what he still uses today.

Consider people who worship him for power, money and fame, having received the false promises.

We hear of sexual abuses and exploitation of the vulnerable, addiction to pornographic images which he encourages as a means of career success. He provides but at a great harm to their victims. They get rich, famous and seem successful, but never content with peace of mind.

If there was ever a powerful proof of resurrection, it's the ability of the believer to resist the devil. Because it's not by human power, but God's.

Jesus's temptation shows that if Satan could quote Scripture and dare to tempt God, our knowledge of Scripture without receiving the enabling Spirit is no guarantee of defeat.

Therefore, put your trust in Jesus today, for it is by His Resurrected Spirit that we are overcomers.

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