The Three Targets of Temptation

Text: Luke 4:1-13 Theme: Satan tempted Jesus in all three areas of potential weakness. Key verses: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’ The devil led him up to a high place and showed him…all the kingdoms of the world…’If you worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down from here.'” (v. 1-9) “Jesus answered, ‘It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” (v. 12-13) What God said to me: Dwayne, this passage is made to order just like you need it today – and everyday. Stay alert and listen right now. There are several things I want you to see and learn from Jesus’ experience of tempting in the desert. First of all, Jesus didn’t walk into that time of tempting blind-sided. He was already full of my Spirit. In fact, he was led by my Spirit to be there. You don’t wait until you are tempted to run to me for help and power over it. You must be filled with the Spirit from the moment you get of bed until you’re eyes close in sleep everyday. You must meditate on me and my words even as you sleep. You are no match for the devil and his inevitable temptations. You must be being filled with the Spirit. Secondly, see how the devil very craftily attacked him at his weakest human need at that moment: hunger. I made your flesh to have certain natural cravings and desires. Be on guard that you will be hit first there when those desires are their strongest. Then, Satan showed him things around him that looked good and appealed to his eyes, things he could have if he would only bow to the devil. James calls this “the lust of the eyes.” Through the Scriptures he quoted, Jesus immediately pointed his thoughts upward again to me, where his eyes – and yours – should always be focused. Finally, the third approach was to tempt Jesus through his potential pride. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” Why not? That was like a dare. Jesus claimed to be something so prove it. He really could have, since he was indeed all that. Yet, Jesus knew the folly of such thinking. Pride goes before a fall. All power and authority was given to him by me. Ignoring that simple fact would prove detrimental. Dwayne, likewise, you never want to go out there and attempt big things, even big spiritual things, motivated by your “pride of life” as James calls it. You cannot tempt me. I will not be mocked or tempted. You can do nothing without me. Jesus passed this most crucial and grueling test. He would be tempted many more times, but in every temptation Jesus overcame because he recognized Satan’s strategy and willingly submitted to me and used my Word to combat his temptor. What I said to God: Father, I see today the incredible importance of not walking out my front door or even through my house without being filled with Your Spirit. I understand Satan’s crafty ways and expect to first of all be tempted through my lustful flesh. I confess any pride and times I take my eyes off of you and look around to the glitter of this world. This world and all that is in it is quickly passing away. I choose today to cling to the Rock that is higher than I, the Word that never fades, the promises that are hidden away in You, my God and Lord.