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January 12, 2010
IT IS WRITTEN..."LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION"
By Joe White
Matthew 4:1-11 (New International Version)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Satan tempts the young husband, married for 5 years, to wait for the family to fall asleep then head down the stairs to turn on the computer. The rush from the scenes on the screen would only be there for a few minutes. After all, it wouldn't hurt anyone.
Satan tempts the businessman in Houston to falsify his income tax report on April 15th. That extra $15,000 would buy his family the second car they so desperately need.
Satan tempts the father of 3 who has been working late. He begins to notice the lady in the office down the hall. What harm would there be in a casual conversation or an innocent lunch. She is caring and shows real interest in his feelings. The glances and casual conversations could soon turn into intentional encounters.
Temptations. They come at us like snowballs in a huge snowball fight. They're Satan's greatest tool to bring us down until our face is in the dirt.
He always tries to give us something that we think we want now without giving us a clue of the consequences we'll face later. He's the master of deception.
Jesus knew that, so He dealt with Satan in the only sure fire way He can be immediately defeated. He didn't argue; He didn't play around with him; He didn't rationalize. He simply put the arrow of scripture right in Satan's heart ... where knockout the blow would be instantly delivered.
QUESTIONS:
How are you being tempted this week?
What scripture verse can this family think of that you can use the next time you are tempted there?
Why does Satan flee in the face of scripture delivered with faith?
LIFELINE:
Family devotions build an arsenal of scriptural weapons that we all can use when temptation comes over us.
IT IS WRITTEN..."LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION"
By Joe White
Matthew 4:1-11 (New International Version)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
" 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Satan tempts the young husband, married for 5 years, to wait for the family to fall asleep then head down the stairs to turn on the computer. The rush from the scenes on the screen would only be there for a few minutes. After all, it wouldn't hurt anyone.
Satan tempts the businessman in Houston to falsify his income tax report on April 15th. That extra $15,000 would buy his family the second car they so desperately need.
Satan tempts the father of 3 who has been working late. He begins to notice the lady in the office down the hall. What harm would there be in a casual conversation or an innocent lunch. She is caring and shows real interest in his feelings. The glances and casual conversations could soon turn into intentional encounters.
Temptations. They come at us like snowballs in a huge snowball fight. They're Satan's greatest tool to bring us down until our face is in the dirt.
He always tries to give us something that we think we want now without giving us a clue of the consequences we'll face later. He's the master of deception.
Jesus knew that, so He dealt with Satan in the only sure fire way He can be immediately defeated. He didn't argue; He didn't play around with him; He didn't rationalize. He simply put the arrow of scripture right in Satan's heart ... where knockout the blow would be instantly delivered.
QUESTIONS:
How are you being tempted this week?
What scripture verse can this family think of that you can use the next time you are tempted there?
Why does Satan flee in the face of scripture delivered with faith?
LIFELINE:
Family devotions build an arsenal of scriptural weapons that we all can use when temptation comes over us.