Don't Be Tempted

Matthew 4: 1-11

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. ³ Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” ⁵ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and,
‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”
⁷ Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
⁸ Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
¹¹ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

 

 God says He does not tempt us, but we are tempted by our own lust and desires.  However, I believe Jesus was tempted, to demolish for us all the works of satan, to show us it could be done.  When we are not totally involved in God’s work, satan will move in on us through a lost brother or sister to perform his works through enticing words.  God says also, they do not sleep until they make one of us sin.  Misery loves company.  God says it is like a sport to them.  So we must read, walk, and talk our word to keep the enemy at bay.  Satan is moving in full force right now trying to sabotage God’s children with killings and suicides, sex trade, drugs and more.  He’s making us believe if we have all the material gain, we have succeeded.  Then when all that has been accomplished we’re still spiritually drained or confused and probably still haven’t found that one true love God ordained for us before the beginning of time.  Looking at this vast world one can become consumed in how to encounter it, or even dream a way around it and all its confusion.  But I want you to know it can’t be done.  God has a plan and a will for our lives, one that involves righteous living and huge wealth.  And to obtain it we must come to Him to receive our orders.  God says He is the vine and we are His branches, and without Him we can do nothing.  Satan is tearing up families, homes and lives by his deceiving words.  And if you don’t know the true word to outwit him, he will eat you alive.  Don’t be tempted. 

 

Bless you all as you keep satan under your foot,

 

Vincent Young, Christian Analyst.