Bible Reading: Joshua 11-13; Luke 4:1-32
“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” 1 John 2:16 (KJV)
In our Bible reading of today from Luke chapter four we read about Christ’s temptation in the wilderness which fell within the three broad areas of John chapter two verse sixteen as stated above. All the evils of man and temptation man can ever be tempted with falls into these broad categories. The experience of Christ in the wilderness and His subsequent victory teaches us that ability to overcome the devil’s temptation is by the Word of God. The antidote to the darts of the enemy is our faith and believe in God’s word. The only weapon that can destroy the tempter is the word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit. Christ countered the devil’s temptation with the word of God. Let us examine the temptation and the associated response and victory.
“If thou be the Son of God command this stone that it be made bread” Luke 4:3 (KJV). This temptation falls under the broad category of the ‘THE LUST OF THE FLESH’. Jesus countered this by declaring what is written in Deuteronomy 8:3b (KJV), “that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”
“If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine” Luke 4:7(KJV). This temptation falls under the broad category of the ‘LUST OF THE EYES.’ Christ countered this with scriptures from Deuteronomy 10:20 (KJV), “Thou shall fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shall thou cleave, and swear by his name.”
“If thou be Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee” Luke 4:9b-10(KJV) This temptation falls under the broad category of the PRIDE OF LIFE. The Devil in this temptation quoted Bible from Psalm 91:11. Christ countered this very subtle temptation with the word of God in Deuteronomy 6:16 (KJV), “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God…”
It is no wonder that the bible said that “And when the devil had ended all temptation, he departed from him for a season” Luke 4:13(KJV). My dear reader the bible admonishes us in James 4:7 (KJV), “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. You submit yourself to God by total obedience to His word, you resist the devil by His word.
Prayer: My father and my God, keep me enveloped in your word all the days of my life.
Pastor Joel Ezeugo