Temptation is an enticement or invitation to sin, with the implied promise of greater good to be derived from following the way of disobedience. In this sense, God does not tempt us, nor can He Himself as the holy God be tempted.

God cannot be induced to deny Himself. The supreme tempter is Satan - Matt. 4:3, 1Cor. 7:5, 1Thess. 3:5 - who is able to play upon the weakness of corrupted human nature and so to lead people to destruction. - James 1:13-14, 2Tim. 2:13 -

The gospel of Jesus Christ directs people to resist temptation, promising blessedness to those who do. The gospel also directs us to pray for deliverance from exposure to temptation and from surrender to it. - James 1:12, Matt. 6:13, Luke 11:4 - The Lord will not allow His people to encounter temptation beyond their Spirit-given ability to resist. - 1Cor. 10:13, 2Pet. 2:9 -

In the temptation of Christ - 40 day period in the wilderness when Jesus was tempted by the devil, first temptation (to turn stones to bread) was to use His divine power to satisfy His own physical needs. The second (to jump off the Temple) was to perform a spectacular feat so the people would follow Him. The third was to gain possession of the world by worshiping Satan.

One motive lay behind all these temptations; Satan wanted to destroy Jesus' mission. Because Jesus' death would destroy Satan's power. Satan wanted Jesus to pollute His life and ministry. The ultimate issue behind these temptations was idolatry. The real purpose of Satan's temptation was that he might be worshiped instead of God. - Matt. 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13 -

Jesus, however, did not prove to be a disloyal Son. He did not put the Lord to the test. He lives "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". - Matt. 4:4 - Having resisted satanic temptation Himself, Christ is able to comfort and aid His followers who are tempted in similar fashion. - Heb. 2:18, 4:15 -

In the Old Testament, temptation can best be understood as testing or proving. The context is the covenant relation of mutual love and faithfulness between God and His people. The Lord tests Israel to prove the true nature of her faithfulness to Him and to confirm their faith. As in the case of Job, Satan the tempter can serve the Lord's purpose. - Gen. 22:1; Deut. 8:2,16; James 1:2-4; Ex. 17:2, 7; Psalms. 78:18,41,56 -

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -