The Temptation Of Jesus Matthew 4

The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, 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.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

“Tell these stones to become bread”

Use Your power to your own benefit

“Throw Yourself down”

Use Your spiritual insights to impress others and test God

“Worship me”

Use Your freedom to bow down to one other than God-so you can gain power

The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, the Pride of Life

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

The CONTEXT: Just after Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descends, the Father speaks from heaven saying “this is my beloved Son. Hear him”. Jesus is lead into the wilderness to be tempted.

Our greatest temptations often come after a time of spiritual victory.

After the time on the mountaintop retreat we have to return to the valley.

After times in the forest we always have to come back to the city.

These are the times when the enemy will often attack, when we think we are at our best. As Paul said

“11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

So we have three sections to the temptation part one is:

“Tell these stones to become bread”

Use Your power for your own benefit (rather than for the benefit of others-1 Cor. 12:7)

Kenneth Hagin suggests the following prayer:

“I thank you Jesus, I loose the resurrection and healing power working within me now, rebuilding, repairing, and restoring any damage that was done. I loose the resurrection and healing power of the Holy Spirit upon my mind, my emotions, and my body in the name of Jesus.”

He continues with this advice: “Speak out your specific problem in conjunction with this confession, claiming healing and deliverance.”

I realize this recommendation comes from someone who probably genuinely wanted to help people, but, doesn’t it sound a lot like Satan’s advice? “Use the power of God to feed your tummy, to make you strong, to bring you health and wealth”.

Part of this same doctrine is that you can simply speak new realities into existence-speak to the stone & tell it to be bread.

One time I told someone I had a headache. She asked if I’d like her to pray for me. I said “sure!” She said “Lord I thank you that Ken does not have a headache.” I was happy for her to pray because I HAD a headache-claiming it does not exist does not make it go away. It is God who does such things, He invites us to learn to live in humility and to submit to and cooperate with His will-using His gifts to bless others-NOT to focus on our own needs. Our needs and health and strength are most fully realized when we use the power and gifts God has given us to meet the needs of others (again- 1 Corinthians 12:7)