Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Tempted


Mar 1:12  The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 
Mar 1:13  And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. 

This is the shortest version of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus was tempted by the devil, he was exposed to wild animals, and at the end he was ministered to by good angels. Satan has his fallen angels, demons that oppose us too. He may use wild animals and out of control mobs against the people of God but Jesus is greater, his Father is greater and the angels minister to the people of God.

Heb 1:13  And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 
Heb 1:14  Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? 

God does not tempt us, but he may test us. Fallen human nature can be tempted.

Jas 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 
Jas 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 

For the Christians God has promised that we may escape temptation and trials.

1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 
1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 
1Co 10:14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 

God cannot be tempted. The Son of God had no sin, but we have sins and are being tempted in our thoughts and from the world and the devil's demons. God has promised that we may escape temptation.  It is important to fill our minds and hearts with the word of God. Jesus overcame the devil by speaking the word of God.

Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 
Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 
Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

It is so sad to hear of leaders in the faith who have fallen because of temptations. We must pray that God's people and our nation be faithful to God and receive his protection. LORD have mercy.



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