- Ben Stewart
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
The three temptations of Jesus by satan…
…And the tempter came and said unto Him, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
…Then the devil taketh Him into the holy city; and He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If You art the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply You dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, Again it is written, you shalt not make trial of the Lord thy God.
…Again, the devil taketh Him unto an exceeding high mountain, and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and He said unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if You wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, you shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt you serve.
…Then the devil leaves Him; and behold, angels came and ministered unto Him...Matthew 4:3-11.
The first temptation of Jesus…
If you be the Son of God…then command these stones to become bread…
Satan used the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes to tempt Jesus along with the pride of self in life…Jesus after having fasted for forty days was hungry…Satan used the lust of the flesh…hence making stones bread appealed to Him. Satan used the lust of the eyes…hence looking at bread when hungry appealed to Him…Satan used the pride of self in life…hence if You be the Son of God then make…Jesus never fell to the first temptation but quoted what is written…Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
The Second temptation of Jesus
If You be the Son of God cast yourself down for He shall give His angels charge concerning You and on their hands they shall bear You up…
Satan again used the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes to tempt Jesus alone with the pride or self in life…Jesus was tempted by the lust of the flesh in…He could have wanted to feel a Holy angel’s presence or hands…Jesus was tempted to with the lust of the eyes…He could have wanted to see the unseen angels…Jesus was tempted by the pride or self in life because they could have saved Him and obeyed Him…Jesus never fell to the second temptation…but quoted what is written…You shall not make a trial of the Lord your God. In my words, He said do not jump in the fire Satan then ask God to save you.
The third temptation of Jesus
All these things…the glory and the kingdoms of the world…will I give You if you fall down and worship me.
Satan again used the lust of the flesh and eyes to tempt Jesus along with the pride of self in life. Jesus seen all the food and good these other kingdoms did and would not have to suffer any longer in the flesh. Jesus was tempted by the lust of the eyes…He seen He could have authority over all these other nations and never have to do anything but commit idolatry. Jesus was tempted by the pride of self in life…He would not have to suffer and learn obedience by dying for sinners...He could be the Authority without having to suffer obedience unto death. Jesus did not fall but quoted as it is written…you shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt you serve.
All three temptations had this in common…the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of self in life.
Jesus could have turned stones into bread…Jesus could have commanded the angels to make Him not fall…Jesus could have committed idolatry and receive authority over the earth without any form of obedience or suffering. Jesus was tempted as it is written…
For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need...Hebrews 4:15-16.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides for ever...1 John 2:15-17.
We have these promises of assurance…as it is written…
Wherefore let him that thinketh he stands take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry...1 Corinthians 10:12-14.
And in like manner the Spirit also helps our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; and He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose...Romans 8:26-28.
Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed Him, If you abide in my word, then are you truly my disciples; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free...John 8:31-32. …You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stands not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof...John 8:44. …I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture. The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep...John 10:9-11.
Jesus was born of a virgin and never broke any of the Commandments of the law but was under the standard of the Ten Commandments. Jesus never broke any of the Ten Commandments being from the tribe of Judah and not from the tribe of Levi. In any of these temptations, Jesus never broke one of the Ten Commandments. Then by learning obedience as it is written…though He was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which He suffered; and having been made perfect, He became unto all them that obey Him the Author of eternal salvation; named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek...Hebrews 5:8-10.
Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead in order that we all could be saved from our disobedience to God, because unlike Jesus we all like sheep have gone astray. Do you believe Jesus died and was raised from the dead…yes or no? Do you want to be tempted away from God’s side…yes or no? Do you want to be saved from eternal punishment…forever being destroyed in fire because of your rebellion to God…yes or no?
Jesus said as it is written…after His resurrection and dying on the cross…to the 11 remaining disciples…
… Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieves (disobeys) shall be condemned. And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover...Mark 16:15-18.
…So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen...Mark 16:19-20.
Prayer
Father please help us not to be tempted…we struggle enough by ourselves…we renounce Satan and his temptations...please create in us a desire not to love the world or the things in the world…help us not to love our lives unto death so we may prosper and be in health as our soul prospers in Christ…in Jesus of Nazareth’s name amen.
Pause for Prayer and Devotional a Wellsaid Christian Devotional about the teachings of Jesus…
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