3 Temptations That Jesus Overcame
A couple years ago we learned that numbers are significant to God and specifically we learned about Jesus Christ and the number 3 (click the link below to read that post).
Then, a couple weeks ago when we studied the "Garden of Gethsemane" we discovered that the number three was again significant for Jesus.
Today we see that number three again in Matthew chapter 4. We will be studying the three temptations that Jesus overcame.
Temptation #1
This temptation was immediate and urgent. Jesus had just fasted for 40 days and 40 nights - He was hungry and needed to eat. (read Bible verses below):
The devil was trying to use pride to cause Jesus to sin (remember that pride is the reason why 1/3 of the angels fell from heaven - they wanted to be better than God and usurp His authority). The devil used the fact that Jesus' physical body was in need at that moment and tempted him to turn stones into bread. The devil was also insulting Jesus by saying "if you really are the Son of God then snap your fingers and turn these rocks into bread" - a sarcastic and evil thing to say.
Jesus' response was wonderful! Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:2-3:
"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."
(The video at the bottom of this post shows how Jesus is now the "Bread of Life")
(We did a deep study on the "Word of God" - it was a three part series - click links below to read through that series):
Temptation #2
For the second temptation the devil tried to get Jesus to do something a little worse than the first temptation. The devil again was insulting and sarcastic saying "if you really are the Son of God then you could even step off this cliff and no harm will come to you." The devil even tried to back up what he was saying by quoting from Psalm 91:11-12
"For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
(read passage below):
The devil was trying to make his suggestion seem small - just one little step outside of God's plan. However, that one little step was off of a cliff!
Jesus responded by quoting from Deuteronomy again - chapter 6, verse 16:
"Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
Temptation #3
I think that the devil was getting desperate by the third temptation. As if Jesus would ever bow down and worship the devil. The devil was offering Jesus all the kingdoms of THIS world. (see Bible passage below):
However, Jesus knew that His Heavenly Father's world is so much more than what the devil could ever offer. So much more than we can fathom.
Jesus' response again was perfect. Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:13:
"Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only and take your oaths in His name."
This is a vital lesson to learn. Spiritual warfare is all around us but we have the ultimate weapon - resist the devil using Jesus' Name and the devil MUST FLEE!
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You might be interested in watching this video:
