Satan’s Temptations and Deceit
Most of us don’t plan to follow after temptation. Sometimes, we are conditioned by who we are associated with or by who we chose to follow. Other times, circumstances and bad things that happen to us can cause us to be self-centered or full of bitterness. Satan knows us and is waiting for the moment to deceive our minds and hearts, and he is waiting to have victory over us.
Satan was there with Jesus in the wilderness as Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. Jesus was not alone. In Luke 4:1, it says that “Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” Jesus had a helper and comforter. Jesus promised to give us this same helper and comforter. Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, he said, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you.” (John 14:26) When you repent of your sins and accept Christ as your Savior, God will forgive your sins and cleanse your mind and heart, and you will be filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul explains this transformation of new Christians in Ephesians 4:17-32 and in Colossians 3:1-17. You become a new person filled with the Holy Spirit. And, it is the same Holy Spirit that was with Jesus in the wilderness and with Jesus as Satan tempted.
When the devil tempts, he uses our weaknesses and our strengths. Jesus is powerful and our creator. He performed many miracles while on earth. Satan knew that Jesus could turn a stone into bread in verse 3. Look at the play with words by Satan, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” Notice the word “if.” Satan did not acknowledge that Jesus was the Son of God. He is challenging Jesus to prove that He is the Son of God. It is human nature for us to want to “prove” a point or who we are. Jesus was in human form. Jesus was not deceived or pushed to prove himself. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, “man shall not live by bread alone, by every word of God.” Jesus’ strength was not only that he was the Son of God, but that He had the Word of God in Him.
Again, Jesus uses scripture for the next recorded temptation in verses 5 through 8, Deuteronomy 6:13. The devil continued to use deceit and the weakness of mankind to desire power. The devil takes Jesus up into a high mountain and shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world “in a moment of time.” What moment of time? Was it the best moment of time for each of the kingdoms? Did Satan use trickery as he showed these kingdoms to Jesus? We do know that he told Jesus, “All this power will I give to you.” Does Satan have power over the nations? I don’t think so. Read the rest of the promise, “and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will give it. If you will worship me, all shall be yours.” Satan is going to give Jesus power and glory. Doesn’t God already have power and glory? Then, “that is delivered to me.” In other words, it has to be delivered or given to Satan before he can give it, then he will give it to “whomsoever I will give.” Sounds like a fake promise. Or, are we buying beach front property in Arizona? But, Satan promises it all to Jesus, IF he only “worships” the devil. Yes, the if or maybe word is used again. It is not a promise when “if” or “maybe” is part of the promise. In other words, it is a trap of the devil. Jesus answers, “Get you behind me, Satan: for it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord your God, and him only shalt you serve.””
Next, Satan uses scripture to tempt Jesus. Yes, Satan knows the Bible and can screw it to mean whatever will deceive the person or the masses. Satan uses Psalms 91 where God promises that he will take care of us and send his angels to take charge over us. Even, when we “dash our foot against a stone,” the angels will lift us up with their hands. (Psalms 91:12) Now, that is painful. It happened to me just yesterday. I have a blue toe. It would have been nice to have been lifted up to avoid the brick. In this temptation, Satan has taken Jesus up to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem, and challenges Jesus to jump. He made no promises. Well, Jesus did not take to the others where Satan promised food, power, glory, and kingship. Satan was simply asking Jesus to prove that he was the Son of God. Hey! He used scripture! God does promise to take care of us, but we are not promised a life free of pain or hardships. We use the times of grief, failure, or illness to mature and grow spiritually. Jesus answers by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord your God.”
The devil departed but for only a season. He followed Jesus through His three year ministry to place obstacles in the way. Satan continues his work to block the work of God. Satan is busy tempting those serving God. He comes in many forms and uses many forms of deceit. Satan will work on our ego and play mind games on us. Satan will use many deceptions to stop the plans of God. But, when we stay in the scriptures and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, Satan will lose as he lost with Jesus. In the end, Satan was defeated at Calvary where Jesus died for the sins of the world and rose from the dead on the third day, and one day Satan’s seasons will end.
When the devil tempts, he uses our weaknesses and our strengths. Jesus is powerful and our creator. He performed many miracles while on earth. Satan knew that Jesus could turn a stone into bread in verse 3. Look at the play with words by Satan, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.” Notice the word “if.” Satan did not acknowledge that Jesus was the Son of God. He is challenging Jesus to prove that He is the Son of God. It is human nature for us to want to “prove” a point or who we are. Jesus was in human form. Jesus was not deceived or pushed to prove himself. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, “man shall not live by bread alone, by every word of God.” Jesus’ strength was not only that he was the Son of God, but that He had the Word of God in Him.
Again, Jesus uses scripture for the next recorded temptation in verses 5 through 8, Deuteronomy 6:13. The devil continued to use deceit and the weakness of mankind to desire power. The devil takes Jesus up into a high mountain and shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world “in a moment of time.” What moment of time? Was it the best moment of time for each of the kingdoms? Did Satan use trickery as he showed these kingdoms to Jesus? We do know that he told Jesus, “All this power will I give to you.” Does Satan have power over the nations? I don’t think so. Read the rest of the promise, “and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will give it. If you will worship me, all shall be yours.” Satan is going to give Jesus power and glory. Doesn’t God already have power and glory? Then, “that is delivered to me.” In other words, it has to be delivered or given to Satan before he can give it, then he will give it to “whomsoever I will give.” Sounds like a fake promise. Or, are we buying beach front property in Arizona? But, Satan promises it all to Jesus, IF he only “worships” the devil. Yes, the if or maybe word is used again. It is not a promise when “if” or “maybe” is part of the promise. In other words, it is a trap of the devil. Jesus answers, “Get you behind me, Satan: for it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord your God, and him only shalt you serve.””
Next, Satan uses scripture to tempt Jesus. Yes, Satan knows the Bible and can screw it to mean whatever will deceive the person or the masses. Satan uses Psalms 91 where God promises that he will take care of us and send his angels to take charge over us. Even, when we “dash our foot against a stone,” the angels will lift us up with their hands. (Psalms 91:12) Now, that is painful. It happened to me just yesterday. I have a blue toe. It would have been nice to have been lifted up to avoid the brick. In this temptation, Satan has taken Jesus up to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem, and challenges Jesus to jump. He made no promises. Well, Jesus did not take to the others where Satan promised food, power, glory, and kingship. Satan was simply asking Jesus to prove that he was the Son of God. Hey! He used scripture! God does promise to take care of us, but we are not promised a life free of pain or hardships. We use the times of grief, failure, or illness to mature and grow spiritually. Jesus answers by quoting Deuteronomy 6:16, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord your God.”
The devil departed but for only a season. He followed Jesus through His three year ministry to place obstacles in the way. Satan continues his work to block the work of God. Satan is busy tempting those serving God. He comes in many forms and uses many forms of deceit. Satan will work on our ego and play mind games on us. Satan will use many deceptions to stop the plans of God. But, when we stay in the scriptures and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, Satan will lose as he lost with Jesus. In the end, Satan was defeated at Calvary where Jesus died for the sins of the world and rose from the dead on the third day, and one day Satan’s seasons will end.
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