Lies In Disguise—battling Temptation

4. Jesus’ temptation and triumph over it is an example to us.

a) Jesus used the spiritual resources that are available to us today:

1) The power of the Holy Spirit of God (Matt 4:1),

2) The power of the Word of God ("It is written").

3) The ability to call upon God

5. Jesus was tempted so that every creature in heaven, on earth, or under the earth might know that Jesus Christ is the Conqueror.

Let’s learn from Christ’s temptations!

1. THE TEMPTATION TO SERVE YOURSELF (vv. 3-4)

A. “just make these stones into bread” That sounds innocent enough,–

The first temptation was about life and faith. Satan wanted our Lord to doubt God’s goodness and guidance, fearing that He might die if He trusted and obeyed the Father.

1) Were tempted to go outside the confines of God’s will to satisfy our personal needs or desires.

2) When we put our physical needs ahead of our spiritual needs, we sin.

3) When we allow circumstances to dictate our actions, instead of following God’s will, we sin.

Feeding on and obeying God’s Word is more important than consuming physical food. In fact, it is our food (John 4:32-34).

2. The temptation of Become Careless (vv. 5-8)

"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down

The Christian faith is not about us making God our servant; it is about us becoming His servants.

a) Satan seems to gloss over the fact that God’s protection is for those who are devoted to Him, who are loyal to Him. God’s protection is for those who trust and obey.

b) Satan urges Jesus to step out on His own, out from under divine protection

c) Satan had cleverly omitted the phrase "in all Thy ways" when he quoted from Ps 91. When the child of God is in the will of God, the Father will protect him. He watches over those who are "in His ways."

3. The third temptation (vv. 8-11).

The devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

The devil’s ploy in this world is to make us believe that if we want something done we need to do it ourselves – not trust in God.

1. Sin…"gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be more happy if I follow it.

2. The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier."

When the adversary tried to entice the Savior to worship him, promising kingdoms he couldn’t deliver, Christ made short work of him: "Get thee hence, Satan" (Matthew 4:8–10).

Temptations are opportunities that either strengthen us or corrupt us.

A. Learning to turn our backs on sin when we are tempted by it leads us into Christian maturity.

B. One of Satan’s most effective methods is to make us feel that the situation is hopeless, when in reality it never is.

1. We learn that temptation is not irresistible.

Jesus is our perfect example to prove for all times that regardless of how powerful the temptation may be, it is possible to resist it if we really want to do so strongly enough.