Redeemer Men
For the next several weeks Jay Adams will be providing a series of posts on the subject of temptation. This is an opportunity to learn from someone with rich biblical understanding about something that each of us face every day.
Men . . .
Over the next few weeks we will be studying the biblical teaching about temptation. Pastor Slattery thinks that this is an important subject to consider since we are all tempted all the time in any number of ways. So . . . here we go!
WEEK ONE We’re going to begin by looking at the supreme example of how temptation ought to be met. As we see Jesus in the desert, dealing with the wiles of the devil, we can understand at least three things about temptation:
1. Why temptation comes to us;
2. How we ought to meet it;
3. What the outcome of properly handling temptation is.
Before going further, read Matthew 4: 1-11 and see if you can find the verses referring to the three matters mentioned above. Having looked up the passage and reached your conclusions, let’s talk a little more about these questions.
1. Notice the first sentence in this section: Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The devil is “the accuser” of the brethren. How do we know that? [Use a concordance or Bible dictionary if necessary.] Scripture verse:_______________ What do you think that means?
2.Answer:______________________________________________________________________________________________
We are tempted for the same reason Jesus was—God sees fit to test us just as He saw fit to lead Jesus into temptation. It was at His weakest point, after fasting 40 days that the temptation took place. Certainly, we ought to be especially on guard at times of physical weakness. But we shall see also that such weakness doesn’t mean that we will necessarily be overcome when tempted. Indeed, Jesus, Who was far weaker than you will probably ever be (when did you fast for 40 days?), shows that succumbing for this reason is far from inevitable. He shows also that we cannot use physical weakness as an excuse for giving in to temptation.
But, again, why are we tempted? First, let’s ask, why was Jesus tempted? The Lord had just been baptized as the “Anointed One” (Hebrew: “Messiah”; Greek: “Christ”) for His ministry. According to prophecy (Daniel 9), He was to be baptized (“anointed”) precisely on the date promised to Daniel. This happened. The devil seemed to know something about this schedule (perhaps he reads Scripture) and came to divert Him from the death that would take place, (also according to Daniel 9, exactly 3 ½ years later in the midst of the last “week” or 7-year period predicted). He wanted to keep Him from the cross. So, he tempted Him to take a shorter route to possessing “all the kingdoms of the world,” as prophecy had predicted He would. The temptation was arranged by God’s Spirit, who led Jesus into it. God and the devil each had a purpose in the temptation. The devil wanted to keep Jesus from His mission, the Father wanted to prove (test) Him for it.
OK, then. The first thing we see is that it’s when the devil knows that you intend to do something for God he is likely to tempt you. He will do this in order to keep you from accomplishing the task. And, it is especially true that you seem vulnerable if you are physically exhausted or otherwise weakened. Remember, God wants to test you for the work. If you pass the test, you will be stronger in the wake of it. The devil wants to stop you.
Think about it for a while. Are you about to do something for God? Are you also tired or physically weak? If so, then especially at this time you may be most subject to temptation. In surviving it you will be strengthened. But if you fail you will probably mess up royally in attempting to serve Christ—unless you repent. You may even give up on your best intentions. Think about this the next time you set out to achieve something for Christ. That’s one time to especially be on guard for temptation.
Next week we’ll take up the second matter.
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