"Resist the devil"

Introduction

Matthew 4:1-11
This was not the only time Jesus was tempted.
Why is this episode saved for us? Jesus was lead by the Spirit to go to the wilderness. This was an important event in His life.
It’s possible these temptations were more severe than we appreciate.
It’s important to plan how you’re going to deal with temptation before it occurs.

Culture tries to tell us sin is no big deal.
In this episode, if Jesus gives in then Satan wins and therefore there’s no hope for the rest of us, despite the fact that these actions seem like no big deal.

I John 2:15-16
If you thought at the beginning of the temptation “depending on how I handle this I will either live or die.”
God had just said and affirmed to Jesus that He was God’s Son and He was living the life God wanted Him to live. Satan starts each temptation with, “If you are the Son of God,” casting doubt on His identity and tempting Jesus as if to say, “if you are who you say you are, prove it!”
When we are trying to decide to give in or not we have to understand what it will do to our relationship with God.

In this episode, Jesus is in the wilderness to pray and meditate on God’s will as He’s about to begin His ministry. He does this often because He has a relationship with His Father and loves communication with Him.
God listens to you! He wants you to come to Him, He wants to help you!

Jesus had just finished fasting which is an exercise in discipline.
We need to add self-control and discipline to ourselves. Fasting is one way to physically practice this. Learning this helps in other aspects. We learn to control ourselves so that when we make a decision, it’s our mind that wins and not the body.

Jesus started doing this just after this episode. All His miracles to prove His word were to help people.
When you’re busy doing for others, there’s less time for your selfishness.

Think on these things and next time temptation comes your way, you’ll be prepared. Do them and the Devil will flee.