Christ Tempted
(Image courtesy of LaShawnBarber.com)
§ Three Categories of temptations:
- Hunger (physical) and in Jesus case the misuse of power
- Power and wealth
- Instant acclaim
§ Fully God and fully man, Although “God cannot be tempted by evil…” – James 1:13; but Jesus “Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8
- Why was he tempted? - To sympathize and to save
- “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
- Righteous Jesus, died not for his sins but ours. He was the perfect lamb.
“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” – Romans 5:19.
Our Temptations
- We too like Jesus are tempted in many of the same ways.
- Some allowed by God to sanctify us; some brought upon ourselves (James 1:14)
- God doesn’t allow us to be tempted beyond what he has equipped us to bare
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Our Response
- Prayer - commune with God (strength to withstand the evil ones advances)
- Knowledge and Obedience to God’s Word - Knowing your are God’s adopted son and responding to the knowledge of that Love by obedience to his Word.
- Community – with others that model and encourage
- Repentance – when we do fail, we must understand that we are not accepted because of our actions but because of His. Turn and follow Him.
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