November 19, 2020: SOAP #4004:  Matthew 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

OBSERVATION:   The devil had tempted Jesus in each of the three ways mentioned in 1John 2:16: the lust of the flesh (turning stone into bread to satisfy hunger), the lust of the eyes (look at all the kingdoms I will give you if you worship me), and the pride of life (prove you are God, the Son.) Jesus proved victorious in each. And He used only what was available to us — The Word!

Jesus was tempted in the exact same points as Eve in the garden. (Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, … ) Eve was tempted with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  The devil’s tactics have not changed.

As Jesus overcame Satan in these same temptations, He proved Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. Paul wrote, “He Who knew no sin … ” It was not because He had not been tempted or tested. From Genesis to the time of Jesus and to this very day, the devil’s tactics have not changed, but neither has the victory available to us in the life of Christ!

APPLICATION:   From chapter 3 in Genesis, to chapter 4 in Matthew, to chapter 2 in 1John.  From Eve and Satan, to Jesus and Satan, to me and Satan, temptation remains the same.  What continuity can be seen in the Bible!

The Life of Jesus within me has already gained the victory over temptation and sin.  His death on the cross pays for my sins; His life within me helps me live in victory over sin.

PRAYER:  Lord, Your Word tells me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  And “all things” includes overcoming temptation.    Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!