Lust of the flesh
Matthew 4:3 ( ESV )
3And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God,
command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
As we
continue to study about the temptation of Christ, let us not just look at it
from an academic standpoint. I believe that there are some simple and practical
things that Jesus did that we can apply to our own walks when we are tempted.
So as we look at the passage let us also try to look for ways on how we can
have victory in our lives.
·
Note what Satan is called
here, The Tempter
·
If-Two ways this could be
taken one: A suggestion of mocking as if you are not. Or two: It could be
simply translated Since, you are the Son of God.
·
Son of God-Key issue though
here is that he is the Son of God.
·
Bread- Typical bread of
that time would have been oblong in form or a round cake, thick as ones thumb.
Broken not cut. The tempter knew that our Savior was hungry and knew that His
flesh would have craved to be fed. The tempter knows where we are weak and will
come at us in our weakest moment. God could provide a table in the wilderness.
·
Think about it this is the
same one who would feed the 5,000. The children of Israel would complain to the
Lord about how they were starving and how God was not providing the way that
they thought was best. Look at Psalms 78:18-19. “They tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, “Can God
spread a table in the wilderness?” There is no doubt that Jesus could have done
this but he laid aside any fleshly desire in order to please His Father.
In temptations avoid things that would open
your heart to fleshly desires.
Matthew 4:4 ( ESV )
4But he answered, “It is written, £“ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes
from the mouth of God.’ ”
·
Answered-Note in all 3 replies from
Christ He uses the Word and Esp. and all from Dt.
·
It is written-Jesus will use the Word
of God as His resource when He is tempted. (How much more should we quote and
memorize the Word? Dt. 8:3 In this
passage God allowed Israel to hunger so that He might teach them that He was
their true provider.
·
Bread alone-The physical is not the
most important thing in our lives. God’s
Word is what will nourish our hearts and souls.
In temptation realize it is the Word of God that
will give us strength. Memorize His word especially verses that deal with
issues that you are most tempted by.
When tempted remember the physical things that we
crave for so much will pass away. Live for the eternal.
The pride of life
Matthew 4:5-6 ( ESV )
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the
pinnacle of the temple
6and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down,
for it is written, £“ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’and “ ‘On their
hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”
·
Then-Idea is that one temptation after
another is thrown out at Jesus.
·
Holy City-That of Jerusalem
·
Pinnacle-Top of the S/E corner facing
the deep part of the Kidron valley. Josephus says at one point it was a drop
off of 450 feet.
·
For it is written-Ps. 91:11-12 for
it is written -- (Ps 91:11, 12).
"But what is this I see?" exclaims stately BISHOP HALL. "Satan
himself with a Bible under his arm and a text in his
mouth!"—Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
·
Satan quotes scripture here to
emphasize his point from Ps. 91:11-12 but leaves out the phrase concerning to
guide you in all your ways. If Jesus did this He would not be walking in God’s
ways by tempting his Father like the Israelites did in the desert. Jesus at all
times wanted to do his Father’s will.
·
Lest you strike-Surely the angels will
protect you.
When tempted realize we have nothing to prove.
When pride starts to creep in I constantly ask myself is this how the servant
attitude of Jesus would respond? Lord help me to give you ALL THE GLORY.
Another thing that stands out to me about this
passage is Satan misquoting scripture. Realize brothers and sisters just
because someone uses scripture to prove their point does not mean that they are
using it rightly.
Keep in our heart and head that the applause of
men will quickly pass away.
Matthew 4:7 ( ESV )
7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, £‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
·
Again-Comes back once again to the
source of truth and uses the Word of God. This makes sense as he is the WAY the
TRUTH and the LIFE.
·
Written-Cited from Dt. 6:16. The people
were grumbling about the Lord’s provisions for them and demanding that God
would provide water at Massah.
·
Test-We will not presume upon the
goodness and mercy of God. We do not have to prove ourselves to mankind and
thereby taking pride about who we are or what we have done. If we boast in
anything Let it be in Jesus Christ alone.
The lust of the eyes
Matthew 4:8-9 ( ESV )
8Again,
the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of
the world and their glory.
9And
he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship
me.”
·
Again-Just like us the temptations just
keep piling upon Jesus.
·
Showed Him-In temptation Satan will try
to tempt us through the eye gate. Sin is pleasing to our eyes.
·
Kingdoms-Father had promised the kingdom
but the Son had to die and suffer first and then rise again. Jn. 12:23-33.
Often lust of the eyes pushes us to go ahead of God’s program for our lives.
·
Give you-Valid because at this time Satan
is called the god of this world. II Cor. 4:4. It lies in His power Jn. 12:31
and 14:30. It will be given to the Son. (Yet, Jesus knew the following
statement was true, No Cross, No Crown. He had to suffer for our sin.)
·
Worship me-The ultimate desire of Satan is
to be worshiped. Is. 14:12-14. He wanted Jesus to Bow down to him.
One of the questions we must always ask is, “Lord am
I running ahead of your program?” If so show me now. When we fail during our times of temptation we must realize that we are bowing down to the Evil one. A
great prayer during times of temptation is, “Father, help me right now to only
BOW down before you.”
Matthew 4:10-11 ( ESV )
10Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is
written, £“ ‘You
shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ”
11Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were
ministering to him.
·
Then-After this temptation.
·
Be gone-Satan will always flee at the
commands of Christ.
·
Written-Dt. 6:13 I will only fall at
the feet of the Lord.
·
Then-After Jesus command.
·
Left Him-This is for a short time as
Luke 4:13 tells us he would come back again at an opportune time. Temptation is
a constant thing.
·
Angels-Angels of God now come forth.
Sometimes when we face temptations alone only at a time later is relief and
comfort shown. God will though comfort
us one day.
After we are tempted do not let your guard down.
Satan will once again look for an opportune time. We must always be prepared
with the armor of God from Ephesians placed upon us.
