Life of Christ The Temptation of Christ Matthew 4:1­11 January 11, 2015 4:3–4​
. ​
The first test pertained to the matter of Jesus’ Sonship​
. Satan attempted to persuade Jesus Christ to act independent of the Father. Deuteronomy 8:3 N
​IV ​
Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from
the mouth of the ​
LORD​
.
4:5–7​
. ​
The second test appealed to Jesus’ personal display or popularity​
. Why don’t You do what the people are expecting and make some marvelous display?
Deuteronomy 6:16 N
​IV ​
Do not test the ​
LORD​
your God as you did at Massah.
4:8–11​
. ​
The third test related to God’s plan for Jesus.​
“I can accomplish the will of God for You, and You can have the kingdoms of this world right now.” Deuteronomy 6:13 NIV ​
Fear the ​
LORD​
your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his
name.
James 1:12 NIV ​
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the
test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
How temptation works
James 1:13–15 NIV ​
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot
be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil
​
desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ​
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Overcoming Temptation
1. Refuse​
to be intimidated because you will never outgrow temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV ​
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear
it.
2. Recognize​
your pattern of temptation and be prepared.
Proverbs 4:26-27 NIV ​
Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
3. Request​
God’s help.
Hebrews 4:16 NIV ​
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we
may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Temptations keep us dependent upon God.
Defeating temptation:
2 Timothy 2:22 NLT ​
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous
living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord
with pure hearts.
1. Refocus​
your attention on something else. ​
James 4:7​
-we are told to resist the devil, not to
resist temptation.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT ​
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your
life.
2. Reveal ​
your struggle to a godly friend or support group.
James 5:16 NIV ​
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so
that you may be healed.
3. Resist​
the devil.
James 4:7 NIV ​
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.
4. Realize ​
your vulnerability.
Jeremiah 17:9 KJV ​
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who
can know it?