1. Matthew 4:1-11

2. 1.God said, “You are FREE to eat from any tree in the garden” (Gen. 2:16). In repeating this command, Eve left out the word, “Free” (Gen.3:2)… seemingly making God less bountiful than He was. 2. God said, “But you must not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” (Gen.2:17). When Eve repeated this command, she added the words, “AND YOU MUST NOT TOUCH IT” (Gen.3:3) making God more severe than He was. 3. God said, “You will SURELY die” (Gen.3:17) In repeating this Eve altered it to “Or you will die” (Gen.3:3), and in so doing she weakened the certainty of the prohibition to a contingency. SATAN’S THREE PRONGED ATTACK IN DECEIVING EVE TAKING FROM, ADDING TO, and ALTERING GOD’S WORD

3. Matthew 4:1-11 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “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.’ ” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

4. 1.GOD’S WORD MUST BE OUR COMPASS (v4) The devil is cunning and will disguise himself and his plan The devil always sows a seed of doubt about God’s character and goodness He knows scripture, better than you do! He does not like its truth but he knows it 2. DON’T PUT THE LORD TO THE TEST (v7) by doing foolishness the righteous shall live by faith 3.STAND FIRM AND WORSHIP THE LORD (v10) Ephesians 6 On the word serving who you worship Worship in Spirit and in truth

5. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS ENCOUNTER? 1.No person, however holy is exempted from temptation 2.The best way to overcome the devil’s temptations and schemes is by the “Sword of the Spirit” as Ephesians 6 puts it…. God’s word! 3.It is not a sin to be tempted, know how to respond! 4.No temptation is irresistible

6. PRACTICAL ADVICE DURING TIMES OF TEMPTATION ; 1.Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit, and be aware of your weaknesses and vulnerabilities 2.Jesus used scripture to affirm His position as the Son of God, He meditated on scripture 3.Pray! And draw near to God 4.Resist the devil and he will flee from you 5.Surround yourselves with people who can pray with you and offer the support you need