Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin

Jesus was tempted. Jesus was sinless. Obviously, being tempted is not sin. Giving in to the temptation and following on to do or say or think that which you were tempted to do or say or think IS sin.

Mark 1:12-13

Lest you think that one glorious religious experience will last forever, remember that immediately after Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and God the Father spoke approvingly from heaven—immediately Jesus was driven into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting followed by Satanic temptation.

Matthew 4:1-11

Luke 4:1-13 (Luke’s order of the temptations differs from Matthew’s; but the accounts are otherwise substantially the same)

It was a real time of fasting. Jesus was hungry. This hunger set the stage for Satan’s first temptation.

Three temptations are related for us. Each of them is an “If”.

• If you are the Son of God…

Some stones look like loaves of bread

Surely the Creator could transform a stone into a loaf of bread

Deuteronomy 8:3

Some things are more important than survival

• If you are the Son of God…

Ever take a dare? Ever risk your life doing something you knew was foolish?

Even the devil knows how to quote scripture. Psalm 91:12.

All scripture is true; but not all scriptures apply to the same situation. Deuteronomy 6:16.

• If you will worship me…

What would you do for money, or fame and fortune? Would you sell your soul to the devil?

Deuteronomy 10:20.

The devil had enough for one day; so he left.

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