Stepping Stones: Satan, The Master of Deceit

Transformational Thought

The last 2 days we looked at the first 2 desert temptations of Christ, so today we will look at the third temptation: Satan using Scripture to tempt Jesus to leap from the temple and land safely.

Again, Jesus could have done it, and it would have been the job of the angels to protect him. It was not a temptation to commit an overt sin, but it was a test of His Father's care. It was a call to have Father God prove his care for Jesus. Jesus responded by quoting other Scriptures and putting into context what Satan, the master of deceit, had quoted out of context.

We learn from Jesus' response that we should trust God and His promises, and not test His reliability for the wrong reasons. He promises to take care of us, but we shouldn't step in front of a speeding car to see what He will do. He has promised to meet our needs, but we shouldn't spend money recklessly.

In all three temptations, Jesus relied on the Scriptures for a proper understanding of what He was to do, and He quoted it in times of temptation. He did not take isolated verses out of context but balanced Scripture with an understanding of the true meaning of the verses and God’s overall plan and character. We find this to be part of the Armor of God that Paul exhorts us to use in the spiritual war we are in. Having experienced temptation, Jesus understands our condition. He is sympathetic, and He is also the perfect standard and role model.

Today, yield to the will of God. Memorize Scripture. And get a good study Bible that explains the context of these verses. Live it. Make a specific plan of how to do this more consistently as the Lord enables and pushes you. Life according to your instruction book is inaccurate and limited, so choose to use the perfect instruction book. WITHIN REACH can help you do this.

Prayer
Dear Father God, You know I am so weak. Please help me to better prepare to resist temptation by spending more time in Your Word. Teach me not just to read, but rather to live the Scripture. Please bring the right Scripture to my mind when I am facing a temptation…and also to understand the whole story of Your word. I pray this in the name of the One who would never deceive me and is the living word, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, 'If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.' Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, You must not test the Lord your God.”
Luke 4:9-12

Those who obey him will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right, for there is a time and a way for everything. . .”
Ecclesiastes 8:5, 6a

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12