No media available

Reference

Matthew 4:8-11
Temptation

“THE BELIEVERS SPIRITUAL LIFE IS NOT ABOUT DEFEAT, IT’S ABOUT VICTORY!”

  • THE LUST OF THE SATISFACTION
    • THE FIRST TEMPTATION DEALS WITH THE PHYSICAL, OUR BODIES.
      • The self-gratification of our appetites Matthew 4:3
      • The passion of our self-reliance Matthew 4:4
        • 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…
    • These are the three avenues the devil uses to tempt us.
      • The first is the physical, the body.
      • The second one is the emotional, the soul.
      • The third one is the spiritual, the spirit.
  • THE LUST OF THE SUPERNATURAL Matthew 4:5-7
    • THE SECOND TEMPTATION DEALS WITH THE EMOTIONAL, OUR SOULS.
      • The attraction of the spectacular Matthew 4:5-6
      • The answer to the spectacular Matthew 4:7
  • THE LUST OF SELF
    • THE THIRD TEMPTATION DEALS WITH THE SPIRITUAL, OUR SPIRITS.
      • Satan’s plan
        • Matthew 4:8–9 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
        • Christ was tempted to compromise His ministry and His mission.
        • Christ was tempted to compromise His life and His loyalty.
      • There are two things wrong with the reasoning behind this temptation.
        • Compromise with the devil and the world is not God’s way. God’s way is to conquer the corruption and death of this world.
        • God alone is to be worshipped, not the devil nor the world and its power.
      • If Christ had given in to this temptation, He would have failed in at least two points.
        • He would have secured the kingdoms of this world through compromise, not by God’s hands.
        • He would have switched His loyalty from God to the devil.
          • Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
          • Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
          • 1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
          • Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
      • Satan’s plan.
    • Scriptural Plan
      • Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
      • 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
      • Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
      • Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
  • Application:
    • Note four significant lessons in this point.
      • A believer is often tempted to compromise both their life and their work or ministry.
      • Satan deceives and lies.
      • Believers cannot receive from Satan what God has promised them, that is, eternal life.
        • 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
      • Temptation must be resisted immediately. Jesus did not hesitate a moment in resisting temptation.
        • James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
    • Thought: How did Jesus Win?
      • He won in the power of the Spirit of God.
      • Jesus overcome in the power of the scriptures.