The Subtle Seduction
Iniquity @ Work Series
Significantly, testing comes to us at our points of power or ability, urging us to use those powers for our own self-aggrandizement. The tempter’s approach was to say, “If You are the Son of God…,” perhaps as a suggestion of doubt over the witness at baptism. But the use of a first-class condition in the Greek language would suggest that it be translated, “Since you are God’s Son… .” This means that the temptation was not primarily to focus doubt on the question of His Sonship but rather, in view of the voice from heaven affirming Him as God’s Son, to use this privilege for His own self-interests. On occasions of spiritual blessing, we are tested as to whether we will use spiritual privilege for the will of God and His glory or for our own self-interests.
The tempter attacked Jesus from three different angles. First was the temptation to turn the stones
into bread, that is, to use His powers selfishly. There is an inference that He could become a “bread Messiah,” a king who would use His power to meet man’s material needs and thereby secure his service in His kingdom.
Christ’s commitment to the will of God is seen in His response: “It stands written,” in the force of the Greek word gegraptai. Jesus’ quote is taken from Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
The second temptation was to make Jesus a wonder-worker and thereby attract people to follow Him. The tempter projected Him into a vision of standing atop the temple on Mount Zion. At the corner where the Royal Porch and Solomon’s Porch met was a drop of 450 feet into the valley of the brook Kidron. A rabbinical tradition reads, “When the King Messiah reveals Himself, then He comes and stands on the roof of the Holy Place.” This means to appear from above, miraculously introducing His national leadership. Satan’s temptation suggested that Jesus stand atop that pinnacle and leap down and, by landing unharmed, present Himself to the multitudes as a wonder-worker. To support his temptation, Satan quoted from the Old Testament, “He shall give His angels charge over you, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Ps. 91:11–12).
The tempter used Scripture, but took it out of context and bent it to his own advantage. Unless one is honest with the Bible, interpreting it in its context and historic meaning, an application can be a perversion of the Scripture
Christians sometimes fall prey to seeking proof-texts to back up an idea of their own rather than to be honest with the Holy Scripture. But Jesus knew the Scripture well, and said, “It is written again,” with a direct answer to Satan’s temptation, “you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” Jesus understood the Word and, discerning the devil’s misquote, was true to the meaning of God’s Word.
Jesus’ quote from Deuteronomy 6:16 makes clear that faith is not attempting to see how far one can go in pushing God to answer our wishes. Faith is an attitude that opens one’s will to God, that allows God to fulfill His own will through one’s life. Faith that can respond more to signs and wonders than to the Word of God is not authentic faith. Jesus refused the way of becoming a wonder-worker to gain national leadership. He was not cultivating people’s faith in wonders but faith in God Himself. Jesus’ miracles were unselfish expressions which served the good of others and glorified God rather than miracles for His own self-interest.
The third temptation focused directly on Jesus’ ultimate mission. He had come to seek and to save the lost, to reconcile men to God. The vision of the world that He came to save moved before Him, and the voice of the tempter said, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” The tempter was suggesting that Jesus take another route to win the world than the way of the Cross. But Jesus knew that He could not defeat evil by compromising with evil. Jesus’ decision was to be faithful to God and His calling, to follow the way which inevitably led to the Cross. Jesus’ response to this temptation was abrupt and pointed: “Away with you Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
Upon this direct confrontation the devil left Jesus. However, it was not the end of the temptations in Jesus’ life. Another of the synoptic writers says, “he departed from Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13).
The Subtle Seduction
1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field
There are many things Genesis does not tell us about this creature, but there are two things we do know—one, that it was created by God and two, that it was subject to man.
However, Scripture fills in some of the gaps in other places. For example, the aged apostle in exile wrote: “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). We are led to believe, therefore, that the serpent was indeed a “cunning” (the Hebrew word can also mean “prudent”—see Proverbs where the word is used eight times, always in a positive sense) creature, but at the same time Satan was utilizing the serpent’s own natural brilliance for his own nefarious ends. We must note, however, that the Genesis narrative gives no indication of any tempter other than the serpent, does not mention Satan, and therefore gives no explanation of his existence or origin.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
