THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS CHRIST

Matthew 4:1-11

In this passage, Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit of God to be tempted by Satan and was going to be fasting for 40 full days there.  At the end of his fast, the Bible says that he was extremely hungry and that is when the tempter came.  (verses 1-2)  Also see Luke 4.

In the first case the Devil said to him, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”  Jesus responded with these words, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (verses 3-4)

In other words, there is a thing that is equally important to man as food: it is the life in which man walks in the fear of the Lord and observes to do all that God commands. 

In the second situation, the Devil takes Jesus up into the holy city, sets him on a pinnacle of the temple, and tries to get him to commit suicide by saying unto him, “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”  Jesus answered and said unto him, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Verses 5-7)

This is why it is important for man to have the knowledge of God.   Meaning that, he should know the word of God well.  Jesus knew that we should not tempt God and it saved him from dying a death that God did not even intend for him.  There are still people today who tempt God by picking up serpents that cause their deaths.  Isn’t this tempting God?

 Also, don’t deliberately drink poison because the word of God says you will drink poison and will not be harmed.   I strongly believe that the Apostle Paul survived the venomous bite of the serpent because he didn’t do it deliberately! 

Ø Stop tempting God for fame, fun, and games because you may not live to tell the tale. 

In the third temptation scene, the Devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, and shows him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory thereof, and says unto him, “All these things will I give thee, if thou will fall down and worship me.”  Jesus replied with these words, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (verses 8-10)

So my question to you is “Who are you serving?”  If you are not serving God then you are serving the Devil whether you believe it or not.  

Finally, the Devil leaves Jesus and angels came and ministered to Him. (verse 11)

Ø I pray that in the mighty name of Jesus that, like your Lord and Savior, you will not fail when the Devil brings temptations to your way; but you will have the victory and learn to conquer him every day!

Grace and peace be multiplied to you!

Evangelist Kathy-Ann Michael