LESSONS FROM JESUS’ TEMPTATION – 2
The first temptation Jesus faced after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness was for physical needs – Jesus was hungry after 40 days of not eating. Jesus could turn the stones to bread, but that was not God’s will. This was a legitimate need but not God’s way of meeting it.
LESSON FOR TODAY 1: Sin is using an illegitimate way to meet a legitimate need. Hunger is a legitimate need, but Jesus must meet it in God’s way, not is his own or Satan’s way. When tempted look for the legitimate need behind it (peace, comfort, companionship, joy, etc.) and seek to have that need met God’s way instead of taking a ‘shortcut’ that is sinful.
LESSON FOR TODAY 2: Building on what was just said, the fact that we have a legitimate need doesn’t mean it has to be immediately met. The very common “entitlement mentality” today seems to say we should have everything we want as soon as we want it, and that parents, God, the government, or life itself owes it to us! That is a very unbiblical attitude and quite dangerous. In fact, it’s the very lie Satan used with Eve in Eden – “You are entitled to this fruit!”
Jesus had victory over Satan’s temptations by quoting God’s Word each time He was tempted. That is the only way to have victory. Jesus knew the Bible well enough to quote the book of Deuteronomy three times.
LESSON FOR TODAY 3: Quoting Scripture is our best weapon against Satan’s attacks against us as well. Paul says our only offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Psalm 119:9-11 tell us that it’s through God’s Word that we have victory. When thoughts or temptations you don’t want come into your mind, use Scripture to have victory. There is power in God’s Word that is lacking in our own words (Hebrews 4:12). Reminding demons of God’s truth shows them they must submit to it, and helps us put our faith in Him and not give in to the lie behind the temptation. It allows our mind to explain reality to our emotions. Always have some verses that speak to your situation memorized or written down where you can reference them at any time. Use them as soon as you sense opposition coming against your thoughts.
What are some of your favorite Bible verses to use when attacked? How many of God’s promises can you recite from memory? When is the last time you memorized a Bible verse?
INDIA UPDATE & PRAYER REQUEST:
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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