Temptation
I am going to put down notes I have compiled on what I have learned and been taught about the Temptation of Christ in the wilderness by Satan. It is quite lengthy, so you may find this post "in process" as I record it in stages. I think there are three main reasons for focusing on this Temptation. (For the purposes of this essay, I will use capital "T" when referring to the tempation as a whole.) One is that I believe it helps to more understand the person of Christ, particularly as it relates to His role in God's redemptive history. Second, I think it is an aid in following our predecessor. You can see in this event how Jesus paved the way for us as we follow now in our lives. By focusing on His path and what He overcame, we are ready for our own following after Christ. Finally, I believe that a study of the tactics used by Satan and God's righteous response as demonstrated by Christ will help us undergo the same temptations that Jesus faced and overcome them confidently, being armed with the truth of Scripture. In studying this subject, you will see that Satan's ways have not changed, nor have God's. I believe these three temptations are a model for how Satan tempts us. They have larger ramifications and applications than the specific temptations given to Christ. And Jesus' responses are a model for us on how to overcome temptation and resist the devil. So without further adieu, in we go!
First, I will try to set the Temptation in a context so you can understand how it relates to the history of God's people and God's redemptive work in it and also to how it might relate to the timing of God's work in our lives.
The Bible records that Jesus faced the Temptation from Satan at the beginning of His public ministry. (First, I would point out that this was not the only time Jesus was tempted by Satan. He was tempted throughout His life. These three temptations / responses are significant because they show the unanimous renunciation of Satan's path as was characterized by Jesus' whole life. That is, to say they show the choice of Jesus as to His identity, how His ministry and life would be conducted, His mission, and how He would get there. In summary, they were not the only temptations, they were just most absolutely worthy of mention and vital to be shared.) So, Jesus faced the Temptation at the beginning of His ministry. One could almost say that there would have been no ministry unless these temptations had been successfully overcome. The placement and timing puts the Temptation within the overall scope of God's working in His people, as well as showing us, in Jesus's life, its importance in God's work through Him.
The Bible records that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. Interestingly, the same Greek word can also mean "tested." This fact very much illuminates the two facets of the experience. For God (or from God), it was a testing, for the Lord never tempts anyone to evil (James 1:13). But Satan's role in the drama is as "tempter." There is a twofold nature to the Temptation: 1) divinely intended as a demonstration of something and 2) entered into by Satan in his evil attempts. I would state here that God's plan called for it. As is always the case, God is involved in redemptive work, and Satan enters in to try to subvert it. It was God's plan to demonstrate something about His chosen redeemer.
There is an OT precursor to the tempting / testing in Deuteronomy 8. Here, Moses addresses the Israelites about to cross over into the Promised Land and says, "The Lord your God led you all the way in the desert (wilderness) . . to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. (8:2)" Amazingly, Jesus quotes from this particular section of Scripture in his refutation to Satan that "man does not live by bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4), showing how linked in communication Jesus is with His Father to prepare Him for His trials. Jesus, through being in sync with the Father, is fully aware of what is going on - that He could even know the nature of His trial and where it is coming from.
Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry, is subjected to the same test as those Israelites beforehand. He, however, shows Himself to be the true Israelite who truly "lives on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." I am deeply indebted to the NIV Study Bible of Zondervan for this insight and commentary. The Temptation also links Jesus back to Adam, not in a parallel comparison but as an anithesis. Adam failed his test and plunged the whole world into sin. Jesus stood the test and "became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). Thus, He demonstrates His credentials (which God already knew) to be the Savior of the world. Unlike the first Adam, he encountered temptation and did not sin, a test of obedience and did not disobey. Thus, while Adam is a source of death, Jesus is a source of life. In being made perfect by obedience, Hebrews says, He then became that source of life for all who trust in Him, "that in Him we might become the righteousness of Christ", as it says in an epistle. Not our righteousness but His in our place.
It is interesting to note the peculiarity of God's process in man. Rather than what a parent might might do - steer their beloved away from any test - God subjects Jesus to a test of His faithfulness, which He passes. Consider the rigors of the test (and note here that the test which God gives the Israelites has some very great difficulties for humans too). Jesus has fasted for 40 days and has been by Himself without human support throughout that time. His adherence to God's law is tested. Satan tries to cast doubts on His Father and on Jesus' own identity and beloved-ness. Internally, it is rank with peril. The devil uses the Word of God - twisted - to try and move Jesus. And He offers Him a life of leisure rather than a cross. These are - humanly speaking - very difficult trials. I give in to temptations like these every day. Often subtle, often just overpowering, I give way to sin and miss out on God's blessing. Praise be to God - Jesus prevails. He always prevails. And thus a Savior remains to us.
Let's summarize. This is a test. The Temptation is also a demonstration to all that this man was perfectly qualified to represent us to God and manifest God to us. No compromise - a requisite for a Savior and leader. Devoted to God - not subject to hypocrisy or two-faced behavior. Enduring - strong enough to be our leader. And human - Jesus also demonstrates His humanity. He was "tested in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin," so that he can be a "merciful and sympathetic high priest" to us who are weak (Hebrews 4:15). Finally, it is a model for us of how to endure temptations. Remember that "all are tempted" (James 1:14).
Let's look at the nature of the temptations themselves. Temptation #1 shows Satan telling Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread" (Matthew 4:3). Satan's strategy is casting doubt as to who Jesus is. It is a mocking. Satan is calling (or insinuating) Jesus and the Father are liars. The Father has said, "This is my son" just weeks before at the baptism. Jesus has been walking in this identity since the beginning. As I think about this, it makes me mad. Satan is a dirty, low-down, you-know-what. He's hateful, spiteful, jealous.
The temptation itself is to just do whatever feels satisfactory to your mind. The tempter wants to suggest an idea and for Jesus to make an agreement with it. "If you are the Son of God" - Satan trying to get some buy-in, get Jesus thinking on the same level - "tell these stones to become bread" - Here's a vision for what you can do. Notice this is not a "Hate God and do the opposite of what he says" rebellion instigator. He wants you inwardly to give agreement to his vision. The temptation is to treat the clear commands of Scripture casually and just do whatever is in the mind. It is a devious, "take a little step this way" kind of thing that is actually a forfeit of the life that is in God. Commentators will note that this is a temptation to be self-reliant, to act independently of God. Someone has wisely said it is a temptation to be relevant. A human nature devoid of true confidence and assurance hungers for affirmation, so it takes up the satanic suggestion to just be a little like God, and we end up losing our life. As is the case with all these temptations, it is a suggestion to meet a legitimate need in an ungodly way, a way God has not ordained (Neil Anderson, Victory over the Darkness).
This often seems to be the most natural thing in the world. When the suggestion comes upon us, it seems like a good idea. It has that appearance of being a brilliant solution to our problem. We don't realize that the vision comes from the tempter. He puts it into our minds and if it gets our agreement then he's won. "If you are the son of God, why don't you just make bread?" If Jesus' heart wasn't completely surrendered to the Word of God, then that seems pretty effective. Thankfully Jesus can see right through this and say, "This is a Word issue. I cannot rely on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) but on what God has clearly revealed through Scripture."
This has some insight into making some sense of our lives. It relates to confession of sins to God, thus where the application leads away from Jesus' experience. Things in our life turn out wrong, and we feel that we didn't think we were doing anything wrong. It can be hard to confess, because the temptation we gave into didn't seem stupid at the time, it may not even seem stupid now. Confession, biblically, means that we agree that we acted independently of God's wisdom. It requires admitting that were deceived, that we thought we knew what we were doing but we were wrong. We say, "The lie got the best of me. Forgive me." Pride and that glaring lack of affirmation make this very difficult. But otherwise, we spend our time defending past choices.
Temptation #1 - Trust yourself. Hard to resist. If we can get over this barrier, though, I think the temptations get easier. If you are already committed to listening to the Word of God above your own voice, then the temptations to be spectacular for people and to replace God as your worship (my summary of temptations 2 and 3) are less intoxicating. I think liberating our souls from our own self is the gateway. Mature believers have said this, and I believe it: if you are not absolutely committed to exalting the Word of God above your own counsel, you will never be a successful Christian. Ever. It can't be. If we are following other voices, not giving our hearts to God, there is no way we can ever advance to higher stages of maturity. Look at the people God uses: Noah, Abraham, Joshua. The examples show that God's primary requirement is that we hear His command and obey it. Until the Word of God means more to you than whatever else you want or listen to, then you are a Christian who cannot proceed onward in the giant steps of faith. Jesus' statement is: "God, I care more about Your Word than about anything."
Temptation #2 - Jesus has stood firm on the Word of God. Satan sees this and says to himself, "Ok, Mr. Big-on-the-Word. Try this on for size." The devil tells Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: 'He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus matter of factly says, "It also says, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" This occurs at the highest point of the temple. The temptation is to get God to do something really special for Jesus in front of all of the people. To prove His messiahship. To garner the oohs and aahs of the crowd. To do something cool. What could be cooler than gliding down to earth unharmed while an impressed crowd gathers around? Talk about impressive? Wouldn't that show you off to the masses? As someone has wisely noted, this second temptation is to be spectacular. You say, "Ok, I just won't do anything outrageous or demonstrative. We all hunger for attention, however. Jesus frames it as a temptation to put God to the test, ie, God I am in control. Here Jesus "boldly declares what kind of Messiah he is going to be." (NIV Commentary). He will not use His divine attributes to get for Him what He wants. He will not use His power independently of God's will to atrract followers based on miracles that would be sprung from the mind of man.
A principle we can gather here is that God is the ultimate decider on the truth. Scripture must interpret scripture. That promise that Satan quoted was a Messianic promise, but Jesus knew that it would come through the Lord's will, at His time, not Jesus' own time independent of the Father. He submitted fully to God. It's the idea: "God, I know you have promised this. This is your will expressed eternally. But I will not presume to dictate its fulfillment at the time I choose."
Jesus was given a real opportunity to sin. He could have chosen to become his own god in that moment. "He defeated Satan with the weapon available to us all: the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" (NIV commentary). He met all three temptations with Scriptural truth.
Notice again in the 2nd temptation that Satan is accusing Jesus: "If you are the Son of God . . ". He loves to try to throw mocking statements against us to rattle us. He wanted Jesus to worry about His belovedness, His worth. He wants us to be un-content because he wants to offer us a different solution. His strategy is the same - always. Notice that Satan has ideas. He wants to plant those ideas in your head and convince you to accept them. We have to learn how to be patient. It is human nature to want to jump in, to get on with things, to get what we have always dreamed of. This makes us at risk for temptations. Temptations offer us those things we want, but they do it outside of God's will. God is wise. There is nothing better than His plan, because it develops at just the right time. It is brilliant. It is so stunning in the time that it blossoms. It comes with love. It comes with peace. We have to cultivate that desire for the better things, rather than infinite little desires that we chase.
Also, as before, Satan offers somethign that God intends for us to have, but the timing is not right. Jesus has been told his messiahship will be made evident. He will be glorified by the Father. But the timing is not now, and the method is never. In the first temptation, Jesus will be provided for, and He will use His unique position as Son of God to deliver miracles that will feed. But it is to be done within the Father's will. Like Jesus, we cannot hang on our desires such that we give in to get them. It is important to trust; we have to know that God will work for our good - over time.
Temptation #3: "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him (in an instant - Luke) all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give to you (for it has been given to me, Luke records him saying) if you will bow down and worship me.'" You can see Satan's naked fear at this point. Why else would he say "Worship me" to the Son of God? It is an angry, very scared, give-me-a-break request. He is desperate. His lamb's clothing has been exposed. He is all the wolf.
Jesus could have thought, "Only that and I'll have all that! It'll be worth that awful bowing to have all that. I'd rather not suffer like I know I will. The temptation is to have it now and compromise to get it. To set up a new God to worship. This is what they call an onslaught. Satan boldfacedly presents the thought of his being worshipped. Jesus says in appropriate response, "Away from me, Satan!" This is the temptation to forsake the cross, to have what we want rather than be given it in God's timing. Note that the very thing the devil offers is what Jesus himself will have - of course he will have much more. Satan will offer us something we are to have, packaged in different terms. To obtain it, we will have to sacrifice some part of what God has said is true. Here we must be moved by more than our primary emotions. We must have a zeal for the Lord's glory that we would never entertain denying Him his glory. Jesus simply says, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'" No fuss, no speeches. Then Satan left him and angels came and attended Him. These are the tactics of the accuser, and these were the Lord's responses. Praise God He overcame them all! Our belief in Him should grow.
First, I will try to set the Temptation in a context so you can understand how it relates to the history of God's people and God's redemptive work in it and also to how it might relate to the timing of God's work in our lives.
The Bible records that Jesus faced the Temptation from Satan at the beginning of His public ministry. (First, I would point out that this was not the only time Jesus was tempted by Satan. He was tempted throughout His life. These three temptations / responses are significant because they show the unanimous renunciation of Satan's path as was characterized by Jesus' whole life. That is, to say they show the choice of Jesus as to His identity, how His ministry and life would be conducted, His mission, and how He would get there. In summary, they were not the only temptations, they were just most absolutely worthy of mention and vital to be shared.) So, Jesus faced the Temptation at the beginning of His ministry. One could almost say that there would have been no ministry unless these temptations had been successfully overcome. The placement and timing puts the Temptation within the overall scope of God's working in His people, as well as showing us, in Jesus's life, its importance in God's work through Him.
The Bible records that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. Interestingly, the same Greek word can also mean "tested." This fact very much illuminates the two facets of the experience. For God (or from God), it was a testing, for the Lord never tempts anyone to evil (James 1:13). But Satan's role in the drama is as "tempter." There is a twofold nature to the Temptation: 1) divinely intended as a demonstration of something and 2) entered into by Satan in his evil attempts. I would state here that God's plan called for it. As is always the case, God is involved in redemptive work, and Satan enters in to try to subvert it. It was God's plan to demonstrate something about His chosen redeemer.
There is an OT precursor to the tempting / testing in Deuteronomy 8. Here, Moses addresses the Israelites about to cross over into the Promised Land and says, "The Lord your God led you all the way in the desert (wilderness) . . to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands. (8:2)" Amazingly, Jesus quotes from this particular section of Scripture in his refutation to Satan that "man does not live by bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4), showing how linked in communication Jesus is with His Father to prepare Him for His trials. Jesus, through being in sync with the Father, is fully aware of what is going on - that He could even know the nature of His trial and where it is coming from.
Jesus, at the beginning of His ministry, is subjected to the same test as those Israelites beforehand. He, however, shows Himself to be the true Israelite who truly "lives on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." I am deeply indebted to the NIV Study Bible of Zondervan for this insight and commentary. The Temptation also links Jesus back to Adam, not in a parallel comparison but as an anithesis. Adam failed his test and plunged the whole world into sin. Jesus stood the test and "became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). Thus, He demonstrates His credentials (which God already knew) to be the Savior of the world. Unlike the first Adam, he encountered temptation and did not sin, a test of obedience and did not disobey. Thus, while Adam is a source of death, Jesus is a source of life. In being made perfect by obedience, Hebrews says, He then became that source of life for all who trust in Him, "that in Him we might become the righteousness of Christ", as it says in an epistle. Not our righteousness but His in our place.
It is interesting to note the peculiarity of God's process in man. Rather than what a parent might might do - steer their beloved away from any test - God subjects Jesus to a test of His faithfulness, which He passes. Consider the rigors of the test (and note here that the test which God gives the Israelites has some very great difficulties for humans too). Jesus has fasted for 40 days and has been by Himself without human support throughout that time. His adherence to God's law is tested. Satan tries to cast doubts on His Father and on Jesus' own identity and beloved-ness. Internally, it is rank with peril. The devil uses the Word of God - twisted - to try and move Jesus. And He offers Him a life of leisure rather than a cross. These are - humanly speaking - very difficult trials. I give in to temptations like these every day. Often subtle, often just overpowering, I give way to sin and miss out on God's blessing. Praise be to God - Jesus prevails. He always prevails. And thus a Savior remains to us.
Let's summarize. This is a test. The Temptation is also a demonstration to all that this man was perfectly qualified to represent us to God and manifest God to us. No compromise - a requisite for a Savior and leader. Devoted to God - not subject to hypocrisy or two-faced behavior. Enduring - strong enough to be our leader. And human - Jesus also demonstrates His humanity. He was "tested in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin," so that he can be a "merciful and sympathetic high priest" to us who are weak (Hebrews 4:15). Finally, it is a model for us of how to endure temptations. Remember that "all are tempted" (James 1:14).
Let's look at the nature of the temptations themselves. Temptation #1 shows Satan telling Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread" (Matthew 4:3). Satan's strategy is casting doubt as to who Jesus is. It is a mocking. Satan is calling (or insinuating) Jesus and the Father are liars. The Father has said, "This is my son" just weeks before at the baptism. Jesus has been walking in this identity since the beginning. As I think about this, it makes me mad. Satan is a dirty, low-down, you-know-what. He's hateful, spiteful, jealous.
The temptation itself is to just do whatever feels satisfactory to your mind. The tempter wants to suggest an idea and for Jesus to make an agreement with it. "If you are the Son of God" - Satan trying to get some buy-in, get Jesus thinking on the same level - "tell these stones to become bread" - Here's a vision for what you can do. Notice this is not a "Hate God and do the opposite of what he says" rebellion instigator. He wants you inwardly to give agreement to his vision. The temptation is to treat the clear commands of Scripture casually and just do whatever is in the mind. It is a devious, "take a little step this way" kind of thing that is actually a forfeit of the life that is in God. Commentators will note that this is a temptation to be self-reliant, to act independently of God. Someone has wisely said it is a temptation to be relevant. A human nature devoid of true confidence and assurance hungers for affirmation, so it takes up the satanic suggestion to just be a little like God, and we end up losing our life. As is the case with all these temptations, it is a suggestion to meet a legitimate need in an ungodly way, a way God has not ordained (Neil Anderson, Victory over the Darkness).
This often seems to be the most natural thing in the world. When the suggestion comes upon us, it seems like a good idea. It has that appearance of being a brilliant solution to our problem. We don't realize that the vision comes from the tempter. He puts it into our minds and if it gets our agreement then he's won. "If you are the son of God, why don't you just make bread?" If Jesus' heart wasn't completely surrendered to the Word of God, then that seems pretty effective. Thankfully Jesus can see right through this and say, "This is a Word issue. I cannot rely on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) but on what God has clearly revealed through Scripture."
This has some insight into making some sense of our lives. It relates to confession of sins to God, thus where the application leads away from Jesus' experience. Things in our life turn out wrong, and we feel that we didn't think we were doing anything wrong. It can be hard to confess, because the temptation we gave into didn't seem stupid at the time, it may not even seem stupid now. Confession, biblically, means that we agree that we acted independently of God's wisdom. It requires admitting that were deceived, that we thought we knew what we were doing but we were wrong. We say, "The lie got the best of me. Forgive me." Pride and that glaring lack of affirmation make this very difficult. But otherwise, we spend our time defending past choices.
Temptation #1 - Trust yourself. Hard to resist. If we can get over this barrier, though, I think the temptations get easier. If you are already committed to listening to the Word of God above your own voice, then the temptations to be spectacular for people and to replace God as your worship (my summary of temptations 2 and 3) are less intoxicating. I think liberating our souls from our own self is the gateway. Mature believers have said this, and I believe it: if you are not absolutely committed to exalting the Word of God above your own counsel, you will never be a successful Christian. Ever. It can't be. If we are following other voices, not giving our hearts to God, there is no way we can ever advance to higher stages of maturity. Look at the people God uses: Noah, Abraham, Joshua. The examples show that God's primary requirement is that we hear His command and obey it. Until the Word of God means more to you than whatever else you want or listen to, then you are a Christian who cannot proceed onward in the giant steps of faith. Jesus' statement is: "God, I care more about Your Word than about anything."
Temptation #2 - Jesus has stood firm on the Word of God. Satan sees this and says to himself, "Ok, Mr. Big-on-the-Word. Try this on for size." The devil tells Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written: 'He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus matter of factly says, "It also says, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" This occurs at the highest point of the temple. The temptation is to get God to do something really special for Jesus in front of all of the people. To prove His messiahship. To garner the oohs and aahs of the crowd. To do something cool. What could be cooler than gliding down to earth unharmed while an impressed crowd gathers around? Talk about impressive? Wouldn't that show you off to the masses? As someone has wisely noted, this second temptation is to be spectacular. You say, "Ok, I just won't do anything outrageous or demonstrative. We all hunger for attention, however. Jesus frames it as a temptation to put God to the test, ie, God I am in control. Here Jesus "boldly declares what kind of Messiah he is going to be." (NIV Commentary). He will not use His divine attributes to get for Him what He wants. He will not use His power independently of God's will to atrract followers based on miracles that would be sprung from the mind of man.
A principle we can gather here is that God is the ultimate decider on the truth. Scripture must interpret scripture. That promise that Satan quoted was a Messianic promise, but Jesus knew that it would come through the Lord's will, at His time, not Jesus' own time independent of the Father. He submitted fully to God. It's the idea: "God, I know you have promised this. This is your will expressed eternally. But I will not presume to dictate its fulfillment at the time I choose."
Jesus was given a real opportunity to sin. He could have chosen to become his own god in that moment. "He defeated Satan with the weapon available to us all: the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God" (NIV commentary). He met all three temptations with Scriptural truth.
Notice again in the 2nd temptation that Satan is accusing Jesus: "If you are the Son of God . . ". He loves to try to throw mocking statements against us to rattle us. He wanted Jesus to worry about His belovedness, His worth. He wants us to be un-content because he wants to offer us a different solution. His strategy is the same - always. Notice that Satan has ideas. He wants to plant those ideas in your head and convince you to accept them. We have to learn how to be patient. It is human nature to want to jump in, to get on with things, to get what we have always dreamed of. This makes us at risk for temptations. Temptations offer us those things we want, but they do it outside of God's will. God is wise. There is nothing better than His plan, because it develops at just the right time. It is brilliant. It is so stunning in the time that it blossoms. It comes with love. It comes with peace. We have to cultivate that desire for the better things, rather than infinite little desires that we chase.
Also, as before, Satan offers somethign that God intends for us to have, but the timing is not right. Jesus has been told his messiahship will be made evident. He will be glorified by the Father. But the timing is not now, and the method is never. In the first temptation, Jesus will be provided for, and He will use His unique position as Son of God to deliver miracles that will feed. But it is to be done within the Father's will. Like Jesus, we cannot hang on our desires such that we give in to get them. It is important to trust; we have to know that God will work for our good - over time.
Temptation #3: "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him (in an instant - Luke) all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give to you (for it has been given to me, Luke records him saying) if you will bow down and worship me.'" You can see Satan's naked fear at this point. Why else would he say "Worship me" to the Son of God? It is an angry, very scared, give-me-a-break request. He is desperate. His lamb's clothing has been exposed. He is all the wolf.
Jesus could have thought, "Only that and I'll have all that! It'll be worth that awful bowing to have all that. I'd rather not suffer like I know I will. The temptation is to have it now and compromise to get it. To set up a new God to worship. This is what they call an onslaught. Satan boldfacedly presents the thought of his being worshipped. Jesus says in appropriate response, "Away from me, Satan!" This is the temptation to forsake the cross, to have what we want rather than be given it in God's timing. Note that the very thing the devil offers is what Jesus himself will have - of course he will have much more. Satan will offer us something we are to have, packaged in different terms. To obtain it, we will have to sacrifice some part of what God has said is true. Here we must be moved by more than our primary emotions. We must have a zeal for the Lord's glory that we would never entertain denying Him his glory. Jesus simply says, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'" No fuss, no speeches. Then Satan left him and angels came and attended Him. These are the tactics of the accuser, and these were the Lord's responses. Praise God He overcame them all! Our belief in Him should grow.
Labels: Bible / Christianity
posted by David at 8:40 AM
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