Avoid Satan's Control 10.02.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Matthew, please read Chapters 4-6 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. You can also cut & paste the link to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%204-6&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Jesus being tempted by satan; the sermon and the Mount; believers equated with salt and light; and Jesus teaching on the Law. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that temptation is all around us, we must subject to God's Will and not that of our flesh. Putting God first allows many blessings in our lives and keeps satan from taking control.

After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, He was tempted three times. "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred."(Matthew 4:1-2).

First, the devil trempted His hunger, "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." (4:3). Since Jesus was also a man made of the same flesh as the rest of us, He was capable of falling into sin. Satan suggested an easy, self serving way to get Him to satisfy His flesh, but Jesus knew that submitting to the Will of God needed to come first. "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (4:4). God must be the basis for all decisions that we make. He knows our needs and will never tempt us beyond what we are capable of handling. Such testing is a necessary part of our lives, for it reveals our true character.

Secondly, the devil tempted His emotions, "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." (4:5-6). Satan even quoted Scriputre to try and get Jesus to present Himself in front of the people as the Messiah, trying to appeal to the pride of the flesh. "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (4:7). Satan will quote Scripture just enough to get us to think that he appears religious in order to fall for his shcemes. It is of utter most importance that we learn the entire Bible, including the Old Testament so that we too can resist his temptations.

Finally, the devil attempted to seduce Jesus, "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." (4:8-9). Satan suggested an easy way for Jesus to avoid all the pain and suffering that He was about to endure on the cross and still be able to rule the kingdoms. Jesus knew that yeilding to the devil even once would have made Him a sinner voiding Him from doing what He was brought here to do. "Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (4:10-11). We can never yield to temptation even once, this only leads to more temptation and sin beyond our control.

The world often suggests that in order to be successful in life that we need to take care of me, myself, and I. They are lead to belive that physcial satisfaction, personal recognition, and personal achievement are the only way to be happy and content.

There are many books that tell us how to gain material success, but few tell of the success that can be attained by putting God and others before ourselves. Jesus reveals how false and deceptive this way of thinking is and leads us to recognize that we are in fact nothing if we try to do everything ourselves without God. No material thing can replace the love and blessings awaiting us not only in heaven, but here on earth by putting God first, others second, and ourselves last.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We are confronted with deception on many fronts every day, so much so, that we can be deceived without even realizing it. Would You help us to watch out and be on our guard so that we are not deceived by man's words, no matter how convincing they are, how charming their personality, or how cunning their craft. Help us not to fall for Satan's deceptive tactics that have brought down believers throughout the church age. We seek You for strength and discipline. We search the Scriptures for discernment and the true revelation of who Jesus is; the Son of God. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Have a wonderful day!
God bless you,
Christina

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