Thinking Like a Christian

pastor peteA series of Scripture meditations on what the Bible teaches about the Christian life.

by Pastor Pete Beck III

These meditations are copyrighted,

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Temptation at a Most Unexpected Time

 

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:1-3 (NET1)

 

Generally Satan, since he is a wolf, likes to pick off the weak, the sick and stragglers in the flock, but he will also boldly attack us when we are on the verge of something great, even just after a serious time of seeking the Lord. The Holy Spirit specifically led Jesus into temptation! Imagine that, especially in light of the Lord's prayer, which says, "Lead us not into temptation." Jesus was tempted in three specific areas. May the Lord preserve us in our time of testing!

 

The devil sought to lure Jesus into

 

Satisfying his own legitimate desires apart from God's direction and will,

Acting presumptively in a self-glorifying manner, and

Compromising his purity of heart in order to get ahead.

 

Jesus' response is a model for us when we are tempted.

 

Choose to desire God more than anything else.

Obey God alone.

Worship God alone.

 

God allows temptation to reveal what is in our hearts. Paul wrote that

 

For there must in fact be divisions among you, so that those of you who are approved may be evident. 1 Corinthians 11:19 (NET1)

 

The mystery of lawlessness is always trying to undermine and mar what God has created and is doing. Churches should expect this kind of testing, especially when corporately seeking God or embarking on some new Spirit-led initiative. We must keep alert to the devil's schemes and be steadfast in our resolve to serve God alone. The Spirit of God within us will give us the victory as we continue in our faith in Christ's triumph over sin, death, the world and the devil.

 

 

 

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