Conflict III The Temptation of Christ

Conflict III - The Temptation of Christ

The Enemy’s Assault through Temptation

Here we see the enemy’s assault through temptation. The temptation of Christ exposes the enemy for who he really is, a worship hungry creature that seeks to trick, deceive and knock people off their course. The Lord allowed the enemy’s words to be recorded in the scriptures that they might be instructive; words paint a picture of what one really is (this is a key, learn to listen to what people are saying it always reveals who they are). We can read the account of the temptation of Christ very academically, totally confident in the outcome; however, in doing so we do not appreciate how powerful and convincing the Devil’s words and influence can be. Do not underestimate the power of this enemy of ours. He, of course, was no match for Christ but look what he did with Eve! The reason why Christ is so victorious against the enemy is found in John 14:30, where it says, “…for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” There are no sins or areas of disobedience in Him, no unrighteousness, no wickedness, and no evil confessions. Christ walked in loving obedience to His Father and was crucified body, soul and spirit (the three areas He was tempted in which we look at in depth later).

Every Life Must be Tested

We see in Luke 4:1 that it was actually the Holy Spirit who arranged this meeting between Christ and the devil in order to prove out Christ’s victorious walk. Our victory too will be tested in like manner; it is necessary that we be tried and tested because nothing is really true until it has been tested. Bear in mind we might be tested in different ways, however, the temptations will always be relevant to our own experience. The enemy does not tempt us in an area where we have no needs, but rather in areas of weakness, needs or wants. You can be sure of this one thing; his attack will always be a temptation that is relevant to a need in our lives. As Matthew Henry, an English commentator on the Bible, states, in his comments on Luke 4:1 “…It is one of the wiles of satan to take advantage of our outward condition and those who are brought into straights have need to double their guard.”

Cry Out to God against Known Areas of Weakness

Everyone knows the areas that they struggle with. We should all watch and pray in those areas, because it is in those areas that we will be tempted. Deal, deal, deal with the weaknesses in your life. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Paul says, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” God does not condemn man for being tempted provided man cries out against the temptation. The Godhead will preserve those who cry out as Christ did when He was tempted: “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared” (Heb 5:7). Those, however, who don’t deal with sin and temptation in their lives, are not preserved. The key to preservation in the hour of temptation is crying out to God against our weaknesses. God will be patient with man for a time and a season, but eventually we must all deal with sin if we are seeking to go on with God. Romans 12:1-2 instructs us to present our bodies a living sacrifice. If we learn to struggle and strive against these things, God will preserve us from the wiles of the devil and the enemy will come and find nothing in us. As the Lord prayed in Luke 11:4, “…lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” Again the secret to preservation is Hebrews 5:7.