The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11

Introduction:

Temptations are always crushing us. There are temptations because there are tempters and they attack
us anywhere and anytime. As what the bible says, we have three enemies; Ourselves, our inward desires
(James 1:14), the devil (1Pet. 5:8), and the world (James 4:4). Others are tempted when drawn aside of
their own lust, and enticed, James 1:14; but our Lord Jesus had no corrupt nature, therefore he was
tempted only by the devil. So the most common of these three was the devil or Satan.

Here are some of the devil’s wiles we see in Scripture:

1. Challenging God’s Word. The first recorded words of the devil, through the serpent, were these: “Did
God really say?” (Genesis 3:1). With those words, the devil invited the woman to reconsider what she
understood God have said. By adding her human interpretation, she convinced herself that God’s Word
was far too restrictive.

2. Challenging our identity. Satan began his temptations with these words: “If you are the Son of God.”
Satan knew exactly who Jesus was (Mark 1:34).

3. Twisting Scripture. Another wiles the devil used against Jesus was to quote Scripture, but with a twist.
In Luke 4:10–11, Satan quotes Psalm 91:11–12 in an effort to persuade Jesus to act in the flesh rather
than follow the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16, 25). But Satan failed to complete the thought of the psalm.

4. Offering a tempting alternative to obedience. Another scheme or wile the devil used in the
temptation of Jesus was to suggest another path, avoiding strict obedience to God’s will. Cunningly,
Satan knew better than to suggest that Jesus forget the whole salvation plan and go back to heaven.

According to Matthew Henry (one of Bible Commentators):

(1)Satan tempted Christ to despair(utter loss of hope) of his Father's goodness, and to distrust his
Father's care concerning him, (2) to presume(expect) upon his Father's power and protection, in a point
of safety, and (3)also he tempted Christ to idolatry with the offer of the kingdoms of the world, and the
glory of them.

In the temptation of Christ it appears that our enemy is subtle ( difficult to understand or perceive),
spiteful( bad or cruel) and very daring; but he can be resisted. It is a comfort to us that Christ suffered,
being tempted; for thus it appears that our temptations, if not yielded to, are not sins, they are
afflictions only. Satan aimed in all his temptations, to bring Christ to sin against God. How much more to
us?
"Temptations discover what we are." ~Thomas À Kempis

Preposition:

Now brethren in Christ, I propose to you this afternoon that Temptations come anywhere and anytime,
by that let us master the word of God so we could resist them.

(all of us were like Jesus who was tempted ridiculously by Satan but you know what? He become
victorious because He defensively answered Satan with Scripture.)

Transition:

Our passage this afternoon will give us three essential truths of Jesus' temptation.

I. The Battleground of His Temptation (v.1-2)

A. In the wilderness (v.1)

-Satan has no objection even in holy places as the scene of his assaults. See v.5-6. Let us not, in any
place, be off our watch. So much more the holy city is the place, where he does, with the greatest
advantage, tempt men to pride and presumption. All high places are slippery places.

B. In Fasting Period (v.2)

- Satan does the same thing with us. To make his wiles more effective, he hits us during a crisis or a
spiritual struggle and suggests. Significantly, the devil chose a time when Jesus was physically weak and
hungry.

II. The Critical Struggle of His Temptation (v.3-10)

A. He was tempt to Doubt (v.3-4)

- Notice the phrase "If you are the Son of God". Satan's first wile is so ridiculous, he used Jesus' identity
as a Son of God. We are not told in what form the devil came to Him or in what way this coming was
different from that which had transpired during 40 days. But the devil can come as an "angel of
light"(1Cor. 11:14) or as "a roaring lion"(1Pet. 5:8).

B. He was tempt to Display (v.5-7)

- Here, Jesus was tempted for a reason that Satan wants Him to prove his existence and power as a God,
but of course, Jesus don't want put such a God to a test. And in His reply, it is comforting for us to know
that God watches over us even in times of great stress and fear. That is why He quoted Psalm 91:11-12
to answered Satan that God is watching to us and made angels and they will lift up their hands so that
you will not strike your foot against a stone. Possible this stone is refers to Satan because it is in singular
form "a stone". See Hebrews 2:18.

C. He was tempt to Compromise (v.8-10)

-Christ was tempted to worship Satan. He rejected the proposal with abhorrence “Get thee hence,
Satan!” (v.10) Some temptations are openly wicked; and they are not merely to be opposed, but
rejected at once.

Therefore, it is good to be quick and firm in resisting temptation. If we resist the devil he will flee from
us (James 4:7). We find but few who can decidedly reject such baits as Satan offers; yet what is a man
profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?.

III. The Final Victory over His Temptation (v.11)

A. He answered with Scriptures "For it is written" (v.4, 7,10)

The phrase "For it is written" was mentioned 3 times.

-Christ answered all the temptations of Satan with “It is written;”(v.4,7,10) to set us an example, he
appealed to what was written in the Scriptures. This method we must take, when at any time we are
tempted to sin. Let us learn not to take any wrong courses for our supply, when our wants are ever so
pressing: in some way or other the Lord will provide.

- Is Satan so well versed in Scripture as to be able to quote it readily? He is so. It is possible for a man to
have his head full of Scripture notions, and his mouth full of Scripture expressions, while his heart is full
of bitter enmity (antagonism ) to God and to all goodness. Satan misquoted the words. If we go out of
our way, out of the way of our duty, we forfeit the promise, and put ourselves out of God's protection.
See Deuteronomy 8:3 & Psalm 119:11.

Conclusion:

Christians, as followers of Christ;

•must be victorious, we must stay immersed in His Word(Joshua 1:8) like Jesus, so that we recognize
deception.

•when we realize we have been caught in the wiles of the devil, we must quickly repent and seek godly
accountability.
•must stay clothed in the “Whole Armor of God” firmly to withstand such attacks against our enemies
(Ephesians 2:11-17).

Psalm 37:23–24 encourages those who desire to live godly lives:

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall
not be cast down, for the LORD upholds his hand.”

(When the Lord holds our hand, the devil and his wiles cannot harm us.)

Psalm 91 encourages us that God will protect and empower His servants as they overcome the enemy,
Satan.

"If you would master temptations, you must first let Christ master you." ~Anonymous