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Study #016
Matthew 4:1-11
cf. Luke 4:1-14; Mark 1:12-13
The Tempting of Jesus (pt 4)
Sunday, August 9, 2015
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 I think we all understand what temptation is.
A certain boy was told by his dad not to go swimming. He disobeyed and came back home
all wet. His dad asked, “Why have you directly disobeyed me?” He answered “I was
tempted by THE DEVIL but I promise I will not do it again.”
His father said, “That’s very good son. The next time you are tempted by THE DEVIL tell
him NO! and for him to get behind you.”
The next day the boy did the same thing again! When he got home his father was very
disappointed! “Why have you disobeyed me AGAIN?” The boy answered: “When THE DEVIL
came to tempt me I said ‘NO! Get behind me you DEVIL!’ And then he went right behind me
and pushed me into the water!”  
There are at least 7 RECAPS from this little 4-part series on Temptation:
NOTE: I will post these on line or email me and I’ll send these notes. kevin@ccskent.org
 (1) The word temptation has a dual meaning:
(1) To INCITE / ENTICE to do evil. To SEDUCE.
No man knows what he will do until the right temptation comes along.
(2) To TEST so as to PROVE value or worth.
"Temptations in the life of faith are not accidents; each temptation is part of a
plan, a step in the progress of faith.” J. Oswald Sanders:
 (2) THE DEVIL’s temptations are SPIRITUAL and must be resisted SPIRITUALLY.
2 Cor 10:3–6 3 For though we walk in the flesh, WE DO NOT WAR ACCORDING to the
flesh. 4 For the WEAPONS of our WARFARE are not carnal but mighty in God ...
Eph 6:12 For WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST flesh and blood, but AGAINST
principalities, AGAINST powers, AGAINST ….
 (3) TEMPTATION is NOT SIN.
Heb 4:15 [JESUS]… was in all points TEMPTED as we are, yet without sin.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures TEMPTATION; ...
 (4) Our OWN DESIRES draw us AWAY, entice us, and CAUSE us to sin.
My desires are many times "neutral" – but then I am drawn AWAY – slip them into
gear.. – and AWAY I go sinning against God!!
James 1:14–15 14 But each one is TEMPTED when he is drawn AWAY by his own
DESIRES and enticed. 15 Then, when DESIRE has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and
sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
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(5) When we are ENTICED by OUR OWN DESIRES:
(1) HUMBLE yourself, (2) SUBMIT to God, (3) RESIST THE DEVIL. (Ja 4:1-10; 1 Pe 5:5-11)
So often we say “Maybe” to sin instead of “NO,” leaving the option open for us to
say “Yes.” We MUST say a firm “NO” and shut the door.
 Satan sized up Job and then went before God to get permission to seduce him to sin.
The Satanic hosts of wickedness STRATEGIZE as to what BAIT will catch you.
o NOTE: when JESUS faced these Temptations of THE DEVIL.
(1) JESUS had just been baptized: PUBLICLY REVEALED.
(2) JESUS was PHYSICALLY WEAK from prolonged fasting.
(3) JESUS was ALL ALONE in the wilderness.
Temptations are more potent when we neglect our time with God, and more
intense when we are physically tired.
 (6) What JESUS DID EVERY TIME: He HIT THE DEVIL with the Scriptures.
4 JESUS answered and said, “IT IS WRITTEN, … (cf. Deut. 8:3)
7 JESUS said to him, “IT IS WRITTEN AGAIN, (cf. Deut. 6:16)
10 JESUS said to him, “AWAY WITH YOU, Satan! For IT IS WRITTEN, (cf. Deut. 10:20; 6:13)
o God’s Word immediately put THE DEVIL on the RUN – FLEEING. Believe it!
 (7) 7th RECAP: There are 7 REMINDERS we must never forget about temptation
(1) The best answer to every temptation comes from the Bible.
(2) The importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit.
(3) The importance of being fervent and diligent in prayer. Our fellowship with God.
(4) The importance of staying in fellowship with believers so they see me regularly.
(5) To be very careful to avoid compromising situations.
(6) To be continually nurturing an eternal perspective in difficult times.
“Don’t forget in the darkness, what you saw in the light.”
(7) To stay alert because it ain’t over till it’s over!! (Yogi Berra)
Luke 4:13 Now when THE DEVIL had ended every temptation, he departed from Him
until an opportune time.