We all face temptations 1 Corinthians 10:13

Consider the temptation of jesus We do not want to be ignorant of Satan’s devices – 2 Corinthians 2:10,11 Luke 4:1-4 “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Could we be so tempted?

Consider the temptation of jesus Notice what Satan did NOT DO: He did not try to get Jesus to commit immorality Wasn’t tempted with intoxicating beverages Not tempted to take name of God in vain Wasn’t pressured into stealing Satan knew he was dealing with the Son Of God

Consider the temptation of jesus Nature of Satan’s Challenge Satan’s challenge basically moral Nothing corrupt or immoral about turning stone to bread The Challenge contained a beneficial result The eating of food would not be wrong There is nothing forbidding changing stone into bread

CONSIDER PEOPLE’S BASIS FOR JUDGMENT TODAY People thing if something is moral, has benefit, & isn’t forbidden, it must not be a sin. “I don’t see anything wrong with it.” “Where in the Bible does it say not to?” Isn’t this how instrumental music, kitchens, institutions, etc. were justified?

CONSIDER PEOPLE’S BASIS FOR JUDGMENT TODAY Flawed Reasoning: Deuteronomy 8:1-3; Exodus 15:2-7 Goal not to please ourselves – Galatians 1:10 Must not be self-seeking- Romans 2:8 Teaching man’s goals & desires vain worship- Matthew 15:8,9

CONSIDER PEOPLE’S BASIS FOR JUDGMENT TODAY Flawed Reasoning: Lawlessness is acting without authority – Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus’ trust was not misplaced- Matthew 4:11 Choices are made based on worldly priorities – Luke 8:14

The Kingdoms of the world Luke 4:5-8 Satan offered to give Jesus his kingdom All who make sin a practice are in his realm – 1 John 3:7-10 He is the ruler of this world- John 12:31 Jesus’ purpose was to draw men to Him- John 12:32

The Kingdoms of the world What Satan Asked: “It wouldn’t harm anyone.” But Sin always causes harm – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 “Everyone else does it!” “Majority” indicates easy path- Matthew 7:13,14

The Kingdoms of the world What Satan Asked: “No one needs to know.” Matthew 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 Hiding sin make things worse – Proverbs 28:13; 15:3 God sees – we must give account- Hebrews 4:13; Psalm 139:1-10

The Kingdoms of the world What Satan Asked: “It will only be this one time.” Sin leads to death, because its searing power numbs us to the consequences- 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Ephesians 4:17-19 “Some good will come of it.” Doing wrong is always WRONG Even the lesser of two evils is still evil.

What jesus responded Luke 4:8 Resist – 1 Peter 5:8,9; James 4:7 The Pinnacle of the Temple – Luke 4:9- 12; Psalm 91:9-13 Not intended to put God to this test as Satan used it Puts passage back into context

What jesus responded Think about what Jesus pointed out in connection with prayer – do we put God to the test? People are not in the position to bargain with God Keep your words few before God – Ecclesiastes 5:2 The mistake of the wicked is to assume silence is approval – Psalm 50:16-23

application Quoting Scriptures doesn’t necessarily make a person right Is it quoted correctly? Is it applied properly to the situation? Is it in harmony with the rest of the Bible? Avoid Showiness – 1 Corinthians 1:22,23

Jesus met Satan’s temptations with knowledge of god’s word Need Whole Armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-17 Follow examples of those who overcame- James 5:10,11 We can avoid the paths of those who fell victim- 1 Corinthians 10:6-12

Will you join us in the fight against Satan? WILL YOU RENEW YOUR EFFORTS TO RESIST HIS WILL? WILL YOU COME TO GOD TODAY?