Tempted - Yet Without Sin! Lk. 4:1-15
17 January, 2010
Tempted - Yet Without Sin! Lk.4:1-15
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:15, 16 Jesus was tempted in all points as we are tempted. Yet Jesus never sinned! Our first parents, Adam and Eve failed when tempted. The Israelites failed when tempted. And we often fail when tempted. Therfore let us draw near to the thrown of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Where did Jesus turn for help when tempted? Luke 4:1-15 shows us that Jesus turned to the Holy Spirit of God and the Word of God when tempted. That He depended on the Holy Spirit is clear. He had the presence of the Holy Spirit. Lk.3:22 He was filled with the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit. Lk.4:1 Jesus walked in the Spirit. Lk.4:14 Jesus used the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, to overcome temptation. Eph.6:17 Each time the word of God was questioned or the way of God or the timing of God. Jesus answered with the word of God. Satan was saying; Don’t trust God. Don’t do things His way. Don’t wait for His timing. Satan calls us to wrongly fulfill our fleshly desires. Stan tempts us to go man’s way not God’s way. Satan tempts us to take what we desire now and not to wait for God’s timing.
We are tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 Jn.2:15-17 These were Adam and Eve’s temptations and the temptations of Jesus. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. Gen 3:6 (KJV) Satan said to Jesus, Change this stone to bread, see all the glory of these kingdoms, make a great show and people will believe in You.
Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you believe His word when He gives a promise? Do you believe He will meet your needs? Do you believe He can give you the strength to wait on His timing? When we are tempted by our flesh, the world, or the devil; the bottom line is our relationship with God. Do we trust God, His power and His word? Do we trust in the Living God? Choose to get to know Him better. Choose to trust Him more. Choose to read and study His word that has been given to you and for you. He overcame when tempted. He can help us overcome. To God be the glory. Amen.