MATHEW 4:1-11
it begins with a very interesting statement
Jesus was led by the Spirit to the wilderness so that He can be tempted by the devil.
This is the author and finisher of our faith.
In the same way today's He allows us to be tempted by the devil.
Paul explains that the temptations that we face are COMMON to all humans and God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability but with every temptation He will make a way of escape that we may endure it. 1Cor 10:13
Jesus continued in prayer and fasting and that is why His ear was able to hear the voice of God and had a word from God for every situation.
In every temptation He had a verse meaning that He had hidden the word of God in His heart in His early days. In the same way, we have to hide God's word before hand so that whenever we face temptation, we will have a word to help us overcome. We must continue in prayer that our spiritual eyes and ears may not get blinded or blocked.
In the first temptation, Jesus was told to use His spiritual gifts to satisfy his hunger but he answered that that was not the way to live but only to hear what God's Voice said in every situation. God had not told Him to change stones into bread for Him to eat
In the same way, there are many ways that we can our gifts even to satisfy our legitimate needs but we need God's voice to guide us how to use whatever He has given us.
In the second temptation, Jesus was told to do something spectacular that would bring attention to Himself. Him jumping from the pinnacle and land unhurt like a magician. He said you shall not tempt the Lord your God. Even today the tells people to do things that will make people thinks that they are great men of God; some die for sickness refusing to go hospital thinking that those who go to hospital don't have faith.
God in His wisdom gave the apostle Paul Luke who was a doctor to be one of His coworker. He who had the gift of healing and many were healed through him, He himself was sick, some of His coworkers were sick, and after praying for Timothy and His sickness continued, Luke told gave him advice of taking little wine For his FREQUENT Sicknesses.
Gal 4:13, Phil 2:26-27, 2Tim 4:20, 1 Tim 5:23.
Here many have died before their time because they refused to go to hospital thinking they had faith.
Do not seek attention to yourself. Don't go to places you will be tempted and think that God will keep you from falling.
The third temptation Jesus was shown all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and told him that if He worships Him he would be given all that but Jesus said that He will only worship God and serve Him only.
Even today, the devil offers us many things only if we will compromise. He says we can repent later and not lose the opportunity but like Jesus, we should say to Him. Get behind me satan, for it is written, you shall Worship the Lord and serve only him.
The devil left him and the angels came and ministered to him
In the same way, ever temptation we overcome leads us to a deeper experience with God.
You are blessed to be a blessing
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