Today’s passage: Matthew 4:1-11
Helpful thoughts:
- Jesus, fully human, was able to be tempted. Jesus, fully God, was and is without sin.
- Jesus responded to temptation with Scripture:
- Satan offered another means for gratification – Deuteronomy 8:3 – God is the true giver of sustenance
- Satan offered another means to publicly prove who Jesus was – Deuteronomy 6:16 – Do not test the Lord
- Satan offered a short cut and counterfeit power in exchange for worship – Deuteronomy 6:13 – Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only
- There is a spiritual battle going on. (Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.)
- When you think you are struggling with sin that only effects you, there is something much bigger going on.
- Overcoming sin is not just about becoming a better you. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a member of a kingdom under attack.
- Our enemy is like a lion, seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
- Our Savior has already won the war (Hebrews 2:14).
Questions to consider:
- What happens when we sin? How are the consequences greater than we want to admit?
- What is our greatest tool to overcome temptation? (Ephesians 6:17 – The offensive weapon…)
- What did Jesus (The second Adam) do that the first Adam failed to do?
- What are ways that we are tempted to go after shortcuts to greatness here and now, when we have been promised to be joint-heirs with Christ? (Romans 8:17) How could trusting in the promises of God help us to fight the temptation to seek a shortcut and counterfeit greatness in this world?