The Lure Of Temptation Series

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#10]

THE LURE OF TEMPTATION

Luke 4:1-13

Introduction:

As Christians, we are called to be fishers of men, but there’s an important truth we often overlook- Satan is also a fisherman. He longs to lure you in and hook you with temptation. We all face the struggles of temptation, and even Jesus was tempted. However, the key difference is that Jesus never got hooked.

As an avid fisherman, I've learned a few important lessons about fishing.

* Always fish in places where you know there are fish and understand the conditions of the water.

* Discover what the fish are biting on.

* Be persistent in your efforts.

Satan is a skilled fisherman and employs these same strategies when he casts his lines. Since he is not omnipresent, he cannot be everywhere at once. Satan carefully chooses where and when to fish. When he decides on a location, he selects the right lure to use and goes to work; and make no mistake, he is relentless in his pursuit. This morning, let’s explore how we can gain victory over temptation and avoid becoming one of Satan’s catches.

Luke 4:1-13

Know…

1. The conditions.

Jesus’ being tempted in the wilderness shows us that Jesus is both fully God and fully human. Led by the Holy Spirit, He faced these challenges to confront sin directly. The temptations He experienced reveal not only His reliance on God but also represent the struggles that everyone faces. These temptations can draw us away from trusting in God and His promises, tempting us with quick fixes and worldly gains. On a practical level, this account reminds believers today to be alert and prepared when facing temptation. Jesus fasted and prayed to prepare for His trials, highlighting the need for spiritual habits in our lives. When does Satan tempt us?

The devil tempts us when we are…

* Feeling spiritually strong or having a high spiritual experience.

Jesus was tempted right after His baptism. At His baptism, God affirmed Him by saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” This shows that temptation can often arise after we experience a significant spiritual moment or achievement.

The devil tempts us when we are…

* Physically weak, such as when we're sick, hungry, or tired.

Jesus went without food for 40 days, which would have put a huge physical strain on His body. Temptations often come when we're feeling weak, such as during illness, hunger, or fatigue.

The devil tempts us when we are…

* Isolated or alone, without the support of friends, family, or community.

Jesus was alone during this time. His disciples were not there. Temptation often happens when we are alone.

Know…

2. The lures.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, we see a powerful lesson about dealing with temptation. Jesus, as the Son of God, faced the devil as a human- Feeling the same struggles we do. Understanding what tempts us can help us live better lives. Temptation can come in everyday situations, like when we want something now instead of waiting, or when we seek power and recognition at the expense of others.

Satan casts the lure of…

* Sinning against God.

Satan was trying to tempt Jesus into sinning against God, which would disqualify Him from being the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Throughout these temptations, Satan aimed to persuade Jesus to avoid the cross, despite it being the means through which He would save everyone who believes. Satan understood that if he could convince Jesus to skip the cross, then all of humanity would be doomed and would have to endure eternal punishment for their sins.

Satan casts the lure of…

* Doubting our relationship with God.

Satan's goal in tempting us is to undermine our faith and relationship with God. He seeks to make us question our identity as children of God and encourage us to be self-sufficient, independent from Him. The 1st temptation is a great example of this.

Notice how Satan begins with doubt, saying, "IF You are the Son of God". This is a classic tactic to make us question our identity and relationship with God. Instead of trusting in God's provision and care, Satan wants us to take matters into our own hands. He says, "Tell these stones to become bread," which implies that Jesus should provide for his own needs without needing to trust in God. This is a subtle but insidious message that Satan loves to convey: that we can meet our own needs without depending on God; but this is a lie. The truth is, as children of God, we are called to humility and dependence on Him. We are not self-sufficient; we need God's guidance, protection, and provision in our lives.

Know…

3. How to not get hooked.