Temptations

Read Luke 4:1-13

The passage you have just read is the story of how the devil tempted Jesus and how Jesus overcame him. Perhaps this story surprised you, that the Son of God was being tempted. However, it is important to understand that to be tempted is not the same as to sin! This story is both a warning and an encouragement to us. If the devil could be so impudent as to try to tempt the very Son of God to sin, you must expect him to try to tempt you as well, so be prepared! But remember that Jesus did not give in to the temptations but overcame them. He is able to help you through any temptation or difficult situation as well!

The background for this story is that Jesus had come to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God. He had just been baptised by John in the river Jordan. The devil was terrified because of the coming of the Son of God to the earth, and had tried to get rid of Jesus from his very birth. The devil had organised his own kingdom in rebellion against the kingdom of God. He is the enemy of God and humanity, ruling through sin, lies, hatred, greed, murder, death and darkness. Now he became afraid that he would lose his power.
After Jesus had been baptised, he was filled by the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. From God’s perspective it was a positive test. From the devil’s perspective it gave him the opportunity to gain control over Jesus. If he could manage to gain control of Jesus, the power of God was broken.

Exercise:

How could the devil show Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in one moment?

It was a supernatural act and can’t be explained in a natural way

It shows the devil’s power over time and space

I can’t explain it but will talk to my teacher

According to Luke 4:6 the devil offered Jesus two things. What were they?
1._________________________________________
2._________________________________________

The devil used these things to tempt Jesus because most people are attracted by these things. The big question was whether Jesus would be tempted and give in to the temptation!

The devil actually proposed an exchange: he would give up everything under his control for the right to control Jesus in return. It did not work! It is important to understand the answer that Jesus gave. We are not to worship the things or the kingdoms of this world. The two things that men so strongly desire are power (control over others) and glory (to be admired by others because we are “special”).

The devil tempts all people with false values. Think through your own values for a minute. Have they been influenced by the temptations of the devil? He can, in fact, use anything to hinder you from worshipping God only and from walking in his way. What do you desire so strongly that you could be willing to let the kingdom of God take second, third, or the last place in your priorities?

When we become Christians, we often carry with us our old values and priorities without being aware of it. This is something we really need to understand. If we realise that this is the situation, we will be able to give the kingdom of God the first place in our life, make it the first priority, seek the kingdom of God before anything else, and by so doing break the devil’s influence over our lives.

Take some time now to study the following list of values. Select the value you want to be first in your present lifestyle. Write a “1” in the blank space in front of it. Next, select the value you would rank as the least important for you, and write 20 next to it. Then you can continue doing the same with the whole list. Be honest and write down your true value system by ranking each item in the list. Take the time you need to do this properly.

My value system

Priority Value
______ Being prosperous and rich
______ Doing exciting things
______ Accomplishing something big
______ Having a beautiful and happy family
______ Living without conflict
______ Feeling equal with others
______ Making my family secure
______ Free to make my own choices
______ Being happy and contented
______ Getting away from inner conflicts
______ Having close friends
______ Being safe from crime
______ Enjoying life (travel, movies etc)
______ Doing the will of God
______ Having self-respect and self-esteem
______ Being recognised and admired
______ Being a servant of God
______ Closeness and intimacy with others
______ Making good decisions
______ Desire for power

Exercise:

Continue to memorise and meditate on these verses:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. " (John 3:16)

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom.3:23)

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Phil.3:20)