Temptation: How, Who, When and Where?

[righteousdude2]

We know that Jesus was tempted three times by the devil, and He overcame those attempts by quoting Scripture.

We also know that once we are saved, the devil comes at us like he did with Job. Thus, I thought it would be helpful to have a post that allows each of us to share the who, what and where in our walk where we've been tempted, and the outcome (both good and bad and the act of repentance).

I know that there will be many stories to tell, so please try to share one that will be unique and helpful to those who read this post.

I honestly believe our testimony on this subject, sharing our experiences, and how we handled the temptation can be a tremendous resource for others, so please be candid. Not all of us have been victorious every time we've been tempted, so your failures and solutions will also be a resource for others, especially those newer in the faith!

Thanks for participating and making this a fantastic post...:thumbs:

Shalom,

Pastor Paul :type:

 

[Gabriel Elijah]

We know that Jesus was tempted three times by the devil, and He overcame those attempts by quoting Scripture.

:type:

I’m actually writing a sermon on the temptation of Christ to preach next week. One of the amazing & often overlooked things is that Luke 4:2 has tempted (peirazomenos) in the present participle suggesting that Christ was tempted the entire 40 days, which culminated in 3 major temptations. Yet—even with this severe persecution—He still over came! What a great & might Savior we serve---I know when I look at what he went through (ie direct temptation by Satan himself, the harshest conditions of the wilderness, 40 days with no food, & no companionship ) & still won the battle—shows me that focus on God & using His Word to counteract temptation is truly the best way to overcome any hardship. Thank you Jesus for the example you gave me—b/c without you I’d truly have no hope! :jesus:

 

[righteousdude2]

That's a Great Point!

I’m actually writing a sermon on the temptation of Christ to preach next week. One of the amazing & often overlooked things is that Luke 4:2 has tempted (peirazomenos) in the present participle suggesting that Christ was tempted the entire 40 days, which culminated in 3 major temptations. Yet—even with this severe persecution—He still over came! What a great & might Savior we serve---I know when I look at what he went through (ie direct temptation by Satan himself, the harshest conditions of the wilderness, 40 days with no food, & no companionship ) & still won the battle—shows me that focus on God & using His Word to counteract temptation is truly the best way to overcome any hardship. Thank you Jesus for the example you gave me—b/c without you I’d truly have no hope! :jesus:

Many times, pastor's forget to mention that He was tempted the each day of the forty days. Thanks for bringing that up, and may the spirit move in you and your words for His people tomorrow. We do serve a mighty God, and a loving Savior. Everything He went through to remain sinless amazes me each time I read that story.

We must not forget that He was also tempted in the garden. He could have easily passed the cup, but instead thought of you and me and went forward and died for our sins!

He could easily have called for angels, from the cross, and that too He passed on.

You are so correct in your observations, that He is mighty. Had He not remained on course, we could not and would not be sharing this powerful word right now!

 

[Jon-Marc]

I've never understood what the "temptation" of Christ proved. If He was capable of giving in to temptation and only resisted by quoting scripture, then He wasn't perfect. If He was perfect and sinless as we believe, then the so-called "temptation" proved nothing.

Did He have sexual desires that tempted Him as it does all people? Did He have ANY sinful desires? If not, then He wasn't really tempted.

 

[freeatlast]

I've never understood what the "temptation" of Christ proved. If He was capable of giving in to temptation and only resisted by quoting scripture, then He wasn't perfect. If He was perfect and sinless as we believe, then the so-called "temptation" proved nothing.

Did He have sexual desires that tempted Him as it does all people? Did He have ANY sinful desires? If not, then He wasn't really tempted.

Jon marc. I just dealt with this in another thread. Here is the link if you are interested it is post #37 so this thread is not highjacked

http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?p=1669502&posted=1#post1669502

 

[revmwc]

Many times, pastor's forget to mention that He was tempted the each day of the forty days. Thanks for bringing that up, and may the spirit move in you and your words for His people tomorrow. We do serve a mighty God, and a loving Savior. Everything He went through to remain sinless amazes me each time I read that story.

We must not forget that He was also tempted in the garden. He could have easily passed the cup, but instead thought of you and me and went forward and died for our sins!

He could easily have called for angels, from the cross, and that too He passed on.

You are so correct in your observations, that He is mighty. Had He not remained on course, we could not and would not be sharing this powerful word right now!

40 in the bible represents a time of temptation,testing or trial. Jesus was tested 40 days in the wilderness, that would mean all 40 days his humanity was tested or tempted and yet He didn't give in to those trials.

 

[HankD]

I've never understood what the "temptation" of Christ proved. If He was capable of giving in to temptation and only resisted by quoting scripture, then He wasn't perfect. If He was perfect and sinless as we believe, then the so-called "temptation" proved nothing.

Did He have sexual desires that tempted Him as it does all people? Did He have ANY sinful desires? If not, then He wasn't really tempted.

Personally, I feel this account of the temptation was also about the temptor (satan) as well as the temptee (Christ).
His (satan's) audacity and arrogance (and perhaps even confusion) in believing that Christ could be tempted having come in the flesh.

Also why do you believe Christ was perfect and sinless?

This after-the-fact account of the temptation in the wilderness is scriptural evidence of that fact.

RE: the nature of Christ sinlessness as related to the temptation:

IMO, It is not an either-or situation as you have presented.
It is about the one presenting the temptation as well as the recipient.

It is a demonstration of how pure holiness behaves in the face of pure depravity.
To prove beyond a doubt Christ's sinlessness about which the temptor seemed ambivalent.

It was a true temptation, satan appealed to His flesh, Christ refused the offer.

Isn't that what a temptation is? An offer to sin followed by an acceptance or a refusal?


HankD

 

[Aaron]

I've never understood what the "temptation" of Christ proved. If He was capable of giving in to temptation and only resisted by quoting scripture, then He wasn't perfect. If He was perfect and sinless as we believe, then the so-called "temptation" proved nothing.

Did He have sexual desires that tempted Him as it does all people? Did He have ANY sinful desires? If not, then He wasn't really tempted.

He resisted for our sakes, as our substitute. In Christ, I am incorruptible, and in Christ, I resisted the temptation of the the Devil in the Wilderness.

 

[Aaron]

In Christ I was baptized. In Christ I am well pleasing to the Father. In Christ I am crucified. In Christ I am alive again, and in Christ I have ascended to Heaven and sit at the right hand of the Father.

In Christ, I live and move and have my being.

When the Father is dissatisfied with Christ, then He will be dissatisfied with me. But only then.

 

[sag38]

Do pigs fly? I agree with Aaron.

 

[HankD]

Do pigs fly?

Only when shot out of canons.



HankD

 

[convicted1]

We know that Jesus was tempted three times by the devil, and He overcame those attempts by quoting Scripture.

We also know that once we are saved, the devil comes at us like he did with Job. Thus, I thought it would be helpful to have a post that allows each of us to share the who, what and where in our walk where we've been tempted, and the outcome (both good and bad and the act of repentance).

I know that there will be many stories to tell, so please try to share one that will be unique and helpful to those who read this post.

I honestly believe our testimony on this subject, sharing our experiences, and how we handled the temptation can be a tremendous resource for others, so please be candid. Not all of us have been victorious every time we've been tempted, so your failures and solutions will also be a resource for others, especially those newer in the faith!

Thanks for participating and making this a fantastic post...:thumbs:

Shalom,

Pastor Paul :type:

Lemme take a stab at these'uns:

How: James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.


Who: Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.


When: James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. I think this verse serves a "dual" purpose here.

Where: This one is the "toughie" as far as showing a verse or two, or at least my mind is blank right now...I know, that's a HUGH surprise!! LOL

I think the "where" is about anyplace we go. We still have the flesh to contend with, and we have to crucify our flesh everyday of our lives. Whenever I see a pretty woman, who is dressed in something inappropriate, I have to turn my head, walk away, and ask God to help me.....I am still flesh, and a purty woman, still looks PURTY!!! With that being said, we can be tempted and never leave the house. Satan will attack our minds, and our flesh, but he can never attack our soul!!! That has been "sealed up" by the blood of the lamb!!

i am I AM's!!

Willis

 

[righteousdude2]

You Da Man!!!

Lemme take a stab at these'uns:

How: James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.


Who: Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.


When: James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. I think this verse serves a "dual" purpose here.

Where: This one is the "toughie" as far as showing a verse or two, or at least my mind is blank right now...I know, that's a HUGH surprise!! LOL

I think the "where" is about anyplace we go. We still have the flesh to contend with, and we have to crucify our flesh everyday of our lives. Whenever I see a pretty woman, who is dressed in something inappropriate, I have to turn my head, walk away, and ask God to help me.....I am still flesh, and a purty woman, still looks PURTY!!! With that being said, we can be tempted and never leave the house. Satan will attack our minds, and our flesh, but he can never attack our soul!!! That has been "sealed up" by the blood of the lamb!!

i am I AM's!!

Willis

That was an excellent answer, brother. THANKS! :thumbs: