The Commonplace Temptation

Starting on the 22nd of July 2007, I will dedicate 1 post each week to my Christian Faith. Here is the first. The words in bold below are so very true to me. Is it the same for you?

Source: http://blogs.polvero.com/index.php?id=b&name=JesuSpeaks&post=2602

The Commonplace Temptation

Matthew 4:1-11
(1) Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
(2) And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.
(3) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
(4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
(5) Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,(6) And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
(7) Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
(8) Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
(9) And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.(10) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
(11) Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

I've read this scripture so many times before as I'm sure many of you have. And I'm sure that you've heard a number of sermons and teachings on why exactly Jesus was victorious against the enemy at this point. There are, however, key things that God has pointed out to me that make Jesus successful here. Simply quoting the Word is not enough and is not what caused Jesus to walk out victoriously.

The first thing we must realize is that Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness. Romans 8:13 teaches us that if we live by the dictates of the flesh, we'll die. But if, however, we live through the Spirit, knowing when and how to tell our flesh no and bring it into subjection, we shall surely live. In the previous chapter of Matthew, recognize that Jesus had just undergone a profound spiritual experience. I've come to recognize in my own life that anytime a profound spiritual experience occurs, I am tested on it almost immediately. In order to live a holy, righteous, resurrected life, we must, as Jesus said, "suffer now." It's important to take note of the dialogue between God and Satan in Job 1. (If you haven't read Job 1, I encourage you to do so). The Spirit of God will never take you where it can't keep you.

The second thing we realize is that Jesus flowed right from one spiritual experience into the next (Matthew 1:2). He went from being baptized, to the Spirit descending on Him, to hearing God declare is pleasure in Him, to being led by the Spirit into the wilderness for temptation, to a forty day fast. While the fast is important, I want to draw your attention to something else: is there an area in your life in which you know you are weak? After forty days without food, Jesus was weak in the area of hunger and the enemy took complete advantage of that. If there's an area in which you are weak, it's important to note how the enemy tries to influence. The enemy didn't command Jesus to turn stones into bread. No. He simply made a "harmless" suggestion. It was the equivalent of saying, "Well Jesus, I know you've fasted and you're hungry now. Your human. You have to eat. Why don't you just, well, I don't know, turn some stones into bread so you can eat? I know you're hungry." Now it's important to realize that Jesus replied confidently with the Word. There had to be some Word in Him for Him to give out. Not only did there have to be some Word in there to get out, His life had to match that which was in Him, which it had up until this point. This is an important life lesson for every believer.

The third thing to notice is that the enemy took Jesus to a holy place (or rather, Jesus of His own accord went along with the enemy to a holy place). A ploy, no doubt that would remind Him of the profound spiritual growth He had just undergone in the wilderness and the deeper spiritual connection He had with His Father at this point. It was this that the enemy was hoping would distract Jesus just enough to hear him out. Again, the enemy suggested something like, "Well Jesus, I know you just came off this spiritual high and you're feeling closer to God than ever and rightfully so! You've just fasted and prayed and everything. You and God are close. So, why don't you let Him show you just how great He is and just how much He loves and cares for you? Come on! Jump! He said that He'd send His angels to catch you so you're not harmed. Come on, Jesus! What do you have to lose?" Although this logic sounded great, Jesus was unmoved by it and undistracted by the holy place. And again, He let the Word that was in Him come back out of Him to fight the enemy off.

The fourth thing we notice is that the enemy becomes desperate. The enemy has studied mankind since it's inception, so he knows how he can get to the flesh side of man and what makes it tick. Indulgence makes it tick, and if it doesn't, surely making you believe that God owes you something will. If that fails, offer to tickle that flesh--offer riches. The enemy told Jesus as they were upon a high mountain, "I'll give you everything you see! Anything you want--anything--it's yours! Just name it. Just serve me. I mean, you only live once! Enjoy your life now! Worry about God and your future later!" And Jesus, unwilling to give His praise and worship to anyone but God commanded the enemy to leave Him, again quoting the Word that was in Him. And when the enemy left him--when he fleed because Jesus resisted, not of His own strength, power, or accord, but by the Word in His heart and lifestyle--God sent ministering angels to Jesus.

The enemy knows you. He knows what makes man tick. He knows how to get him. If he can just suggest one thought long enough for you to roll it around in your mind, even for a second, then he knows he has a good chance at having you. He has a good chance in ruining your progress with God. But notice, if we're persistently stubborn in the Word with the enemy, he will flee. I encourage you: stay strong in the Lord and the power of His might and may your lifestyle reflect the Word you read.

"Heavenly Father,Lord, I thank You! I praise You for the Word which is continually changing my heart, mind, actions, and lifestyle. Lord, give me the strength and allow me to walk in the strength at the appropriate time to resist the enemy that he might flee from me. Lord, I'm determined to go all the way with You, no matter what anyone says! AMEN!"