When Temptation Comes..

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 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 shall 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 NIV

These verses show that Satan's goal was to attack Jesus' faith on three very specific grounds. This attack is portrayed when Satan tempts Christ to turn bread to stone, throw Himself down to see if God will disperse His angels, and fall down and worship Satan.

 This is an attack on the Son's faith in the Father to provide, protect, and fulfill His promise. The application is that we are tempted to doubt God in those three specific areas. By realizing this reality, we should be more prepared to withstand the tests that we encounter. God will surely provide. This a a display for the need of faith in God's ability to provide which is expressed in trust in God's order. Psalm 91 is written regarding God's protection for His people. The temptation is to become reckless without abandon in our conduct.

The passage says, "Because he has set His love upon me, I will deliver Him..." The nature of this verse shows that God's protection is most effective when we are operating from love for the Father. Any other motive proves us to be self-centered and puts us in danger. God has promised us an inheritance beyond anything that we could imagine. The world we live in attempts to discredit God's promise to His people by attacking our faith in His promise. It is important that we stay focused on God by staying connected in prayer and worship. False worship is placing anything in priority before God. This action shows doubt that God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.

 We must always be aware that Satan is constantly attacking our faith in God to provide, protect, and fulfill His promises. However, the trying of our faith makes is stronger and more capable. Let us continue to exercise our faith in God.

-SiccsFo