Christ's Example
Matthews gospel records,
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
“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.’’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” Matthew 4:1-11.
Here Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he is tempted three times by the Satan. These three temptations serve as an example to Christians as to how to deal with temptation.
The first temptation was to do a miracle outside the Fathers will.
Christians must remember that anything we do must be in accordance with God the Fathers will. Even Jesus just prior to His crucifixion while in the garden said “not my will but yours be done”.
All too many Christians forget about this. They want things done there way and when a it doesn’t happen they get upset.
I know within some church groups they pray for someone’s healing saying “it’s God’s will that everyone should be healthy”, yet the person dies and they can’t understand it.
They never think that it might just be God saying “come home to me where there is no pain and suffering.”
All our actions should be in accordance with God’s will. We are His servants. He is not ours.
In the second one Satan tells Jesus to throw Himself off a tower saying that God will protect Him by sending His angels. This would show who Jesus was through a spectacular act rather than Christ’s righteous works and life.
God want people to recognize who Jesus is by having faith in him. The writer of Hebrews telling us.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
The third temptation is Satan telling Jesus to bow to him. That if he did he’d give him the world. It would mean Jesus would not have to go to the cross.
Jesus however turned this down saying, “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’
This should remind us that we should not have any other gods except God the Father. We should not worship the things of this world.
We must only Worship the Lord God Almighty.
Jesus through all of this used Scripture to rebuke Satan.
In order for us to be successful in our walk as Christians we should study the scriptures. We should make the scriptures part of our life and lifestyle. So that we know what God requires of us and thus live a life acceptable to God.
Please think about it.
Matthews gospel records,
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
“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.’’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” Matthew 4:1-11.
Here Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where he is tempted three times by the Satan. These three temptations serve as an example to Christians as to how to deal with temptation.
The first temptation was to do a miracle outside the Fathers will.
Christians must remember that anything we do must be in accordance with God the Fathers will. Even Jesus just prior to His crucifixion while in the garden said “not my will but yours be done”.
All too many Christians forget about this. They want things done there way and when a it doesn’t happen they get upset.
I know within some church groups they pray for someone’s healing saying “it’s God’s will that everyone should be healthy”, yet the person dies and they can’t understand it.
They never think that it might just be God saying “come home to me where there is no pain and suffering.”
All our actions should be in accordance with God’s will. We are His servants. He is not ours.
In the second one Satan tells Jesus to throw Himself off a tower saying that God will protect Him by sending His angels. This would show who Jesus was through a spectacular act rather than Christ’s righteous works and life.
God want people to recognize who Jesus is by having faith in him. The writer of Hebrews telling us.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
The third temptation is Satan telling Jesus to bow to him. That if he did he’d give him the world. It would mean Jesus would not have to go to the cross.
Jesus however turned this down saying, “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’’
This should remind us that we should not have any other gods except God the Father. We should not worship the things of this world.
We must only Worship the Lord God Almighty.
Jesus through all of this used Scripture to rebuke Satan.
In order for us to be successful in our walk as Christians we should study the scriptures. We should make the scriptures part of our life and lifestyle. So that we know what God requires of us and thus live a life acceptable to God.
Please think about it.
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