Unit 15 – Satan and His Demons
Lesson 41 – When Satan Tempted Jesus and What He is Doing Today – Luke 4:1-14; Luke 22:31; Acts 5:3; 2 Cor. 11:14: I Pet. 5:8
1. Aim: To lead the people to understand how we follow Christ’s example in overcoming temptations.
2. Explanation of the Aim: Jesus always remained faithful regardless of the intensity of the temptations. We can be tempted by the world, the flesh (Our sinful nature) or the devil. After fasting in the desert for 40 days, Jesus became hungry. At this point the devil tempted him through food, power and possessions. Each time Jesus successfully used God’s word in refusing to be overcome with evil, but overcame evil with good. Help the people see how we can overcome temptations through application of the power of God’s word.
3. The Bible Story: Our lesson teaches us that the Messiah wanted everyone to know that He would not accomplish His mission by merely using His supernatural power for his own needs (First temptation). Nor, would the Lord Jesus try to solely rely on His supernatural authority to win a huge number of people by miracles or magic powers (Second temptation). Neither, would Jesus Christ compromise with the devil in any way (Third temptation). Jesus never sinned in word, deed or attitude throughout His earthly existence. He was tempted like we are yet without sin. Yet, He went through the same temptations that we face in order to identify with our struggles. Let us trust the Lord to help us learn how to skillfully use God’s word to overcome all temptations from the world, the flesh and the devil.
4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION gives the people an opportunity to consider how the devil tempts human beings. Let the people give several examples of how the devil tries to tempt us to sin (Pride, lust, envy, jealousy, hate, slander, criticism, accusations, immorality, greed, judging others, deceit, complaining, disrespect of authority etc). Ask the people why many people choose to surrender to the temptations of the devil? Ask the people why Jesus was able to defeat the devil using the word of God? The BIBLE STORY helps learn how to use the Bible as a means of defeating the devil with greater authority. It is useless to try to out think the devil because he is smarter than any person. Jesus gave us the perfect example of quoting key verses that would over ride every temptation presented to Him. The MEANING FOR OUR LIVES gives the people an opportunity to make applications from the lesson. Ask the people what they can do when they are presented with the following temptations: Criticizing others; speaking in an arrogant way to friends; being greedy with your possessions; hating others; becoming angry with neighbors; being deceitful or dishonest; lying or cheating; being disrespectful to authorities; envying people who have lots of money? Allow the people to come up with verses from the Bible that help them overcome evil with what is good.
CLASS TIME (Begin With Prayer)
Introduction
The Bible Story
The worst temptations tend to come when we are most vulnerable. After Jesus was led by the Spirit to fast in the desert for 40 days He was tempted by the devil who said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matt. 4:3) Not only did the devil want to tempt a hungry man, but he challenged Christ as being the legitimate Son of God. When we are given special privileges out of Divine favor we should be especially careful not to let the sin of pride cause us to fall. Notice how Jesus Christ took the offensive by using the word of God to defeat the devil with a greater power. Learn to memorize and meditate on hundreds of scripture verses so that you can quote a fitting passage to overcome any temptation.
Christ did not merely presume on His own strength, but relied on the power of His Father’s word to defeat all forces of evil. Many Christians are easily defeated by the devil because they do not know the scripture or the power of God. Learn to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly so that you can teach, encourage and admonish one another with Biblical instruction. The more you teach faithful people with the scripture the better you will be equipped to overcome any difficult temptation.
Many are tempted by their own lustful desires, but our Lord Jesus had no sinful nature so he could only be tempted by the devil. Notice how Satan uses all of his guile, trickery and deceit to dare Christ to perform miracles without direction from the heavenly Father. Many people are vainly trying to do great things without the leading of God. Be assured that no temptation that comes your way is greater than your strength. The Lord always provides a way to escape so you can bear up under the pressure to sin.
The devil directed the temptations of Christ as a way of sinning against the heavenly Father. First, Satan tempted Jesus to grow despondent about the heavenly Father’s ability to care for his physical needs. Many people turn their back on God when they face physical shortages. Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The Lord always has a way of making provisions for our physical needs. Never doubt God’s ability to care for your every need according to His rich reservoir of resources. Do not let the devil discourage you about your outward circumstances that you forget to look to heaven for everything you need. Second, the devil tempted Jesus to presume upon his Father’s power and protection, in a point of safety. The sin of presumption means that a person is taking God and His powers and blessings for granted. Presumptuous people take liberties to do many things before they consult God. Many presumptuous sins are committed by well meaning Christians who have not stopped to ask God for direction before moving in a certain direction. People who have known Jesus as their Savior for years often fall into the temptations of pride, presumption and prejudice in holy places. It is for this reason that we must take seriously what Paul wrote, “If any of you thinks they stand, let them take heed lest they fall.” Jesus also said, “Watch and pray that you do not enter into temptation. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41)
Satan knows that whenever a person is lifted up they are liable to fall into the temptation of pride, arrogance or a haughty attitude. We must learn to take the full armor of God, especially the shield of faith to defend ourselves from all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Eph. 6:17,18) Satan knows the scripture so well that he will even the Bible to try to tempt people into sin. For this reason we must study to show ourselves as approved of God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) There are some people who have their minds full of verses, but their hearts are not right with God. Let us remember to be more like Mary who worshipped the Lord and meditated on His word instead of being like distracted Martha. (Luke 10:38-42)
Satan often misquotes God’s word for His own purposes. Do not leave the path that the Bible gives you or you will fall out from under the umbrella of God’s protection. Notice how the devil left out a key part of Deut. 8:3 which says, “Man does live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Do not become confused by people who conveniently leave out parts of God’s truth to deceive you.
The devil also tempted Jesus to commit idolatry with the offer of the kingdoms of the world and their accompanying glory. The vain glory of the world is attractive only to those who fail to appreciate the greater glory of God in Christ. The devil longs to have us worship anything but the Almighty Creator God. Satan tried to tempt Jesus to worship him, but was soundly rejected. Jesus said, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Do not play with temptations, but hate what is evil and cling to what is good. It is good to be quick and firm in resisting temptation. If we resist the devil he will flee from us. But the person who contemplates sin is almost always overcome. Few people are able to reject Satan temptations unless they prepare in advance for what will come in the future. When people are under pressure they tend to give in to the temptations at hand unless they have fortified their mind with the word of God. The Holy Spirit of God constantly intercedes for godly people who are ready to reject the devil’s temptations and run the way of righteousness. Paul wrote, “Flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, godliness, love, faith and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Tim. 2:22-24) Good companions tend to help us overcome many evil temptations.
Memory Verse: “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” (Matt. 4:8)
The Meaning for Our Lives
Give the people an opportunity to make applications from the lesson. Ask the people what they can do when they are presented with the following temptations: Criticizing others; speaking in an arrogant way to friends; being greedy with your possessions; hating others; becoming angry with neighbors; being deceitful or dishonest; lying or cheating; being disrespectful to authorities; envying people who have lots of money? Allow the people to come up with verses from the Bible that help them overcome evil with what is good.
Response
Song: “Oh worship the King”
Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you overcome all the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil so you can please the Lord in all respects and bear fruit in every good deed.
At Home: Ask your parents for their advice in overcoming all kinds of temptations.
