As you read Luke’s version of the temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-13), you’ll see that Satan tempted the Lord in three ways. Every conceivable sin can have its roots within these three earthly enticements. In 1 John 2:15-16, we have our own warning to resist the same temptations faced by Jesus. Note the following comparison:
• The Lust of the Flesh
o After many days in the wilderness Jesus was hungry. Satan challenged Him to make the stones bread which would satisfy His physical desire. (Lk. 4:3-4)
o We are to resist loving and seeking to appease the “lust of the flesh” or physical temptations.
• The Lust of the Eyes
o In a moment of time, Satan showed Jesus all the world’s kingdoms and offered their control to Him. All He had to do was worship before Satan.
o It has been said that the eyes are windows to the soul. With them we can see all manner of things which peak our desires and pollute our thoughts. “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.”
• The Pride of Life
o Satan challenged Jesus to jump from a high place to show off the heavenly protection afforded Him and not be harmed. Pride could have caused Jesus to show just how powerful He was, but He resisted.
o Pride is the opposite of humility, which God desires from His people. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Jesus resisted all of the temptation that we could ever face. Thus, the Hebrew writer says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”(Hebrews 4:15)
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