Matt 4:1-11
When Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, He was tempted by the devil three times. Although he was tempted in different ways, the common thread in all the temptations was the temptation be self-reliant - to survive without God.
Stones to bread, the first temptation.
Again, Jesus was tempted to depend on his own power.
Glory, the third temptation.
When Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, He was tempted by the devil three times. Although he was tempted in different ways, the common thread in all the temptations was the temptation be self-reliant - to survive without God.
Stones to bread, the first temptation.
Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the Devil. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then the Devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread." But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.'
Here Jesus was tempted to rely on himself rather than God.
Just Jump, the second temptation.
Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.' " Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'Do not test the Lord your God.' "
Again, Jesus was tempted to depend on his own power.
Glory, the third temptation.
Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will only kneel down and worship me." "Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.'
Jesus was tempted to get glory with His own power instead of through the Cross. Satan was offering Jesus an "easy" way to get glory instead of growing through the pain of the Cross.
Sin, in general is always a temptation for self- sufficiency. Having sex before marriage is an "easy" way to achieve "intimacy". You don't have to go through the pain of waiting and exhibiting self-control. Satan offers an "easy" route, a different route from God's plan. But we God's help we are more than conquerors. We can win over temptation, just like Jesus.
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