Testing

Big Idea of the Week: Before Jesus began His ministry, He was led out to the wilderness to be tested. The way He responded to those tests set the tone for the way He would walk the path ahead.

Isolation

As we look at the temptations of Jesus in the “wilderness” there will be a parallel of the Israelites in the “wilderness”;

Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness as part of the preparation for His ministry;

There are times in life that we may need to be isolated from others to draw on a total dependence of God;

The question is what do we do in this “Isolation” - will we draw God or pull away from God;

Here we see that Jesus remembers Whom He sent by even in “Isolation”.

Temptation 1

Satan is a master of word manipulation and will use that manipulation in areas of weakness;

Genesis 3:5 NKJV

5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Hunger is not a sin however Satan used hunger to try and sway Jesus into an action outside of God’s will - by caring for Himself over trusting God to care for Him;

Satan may have been alluding to something like this “If Your God really cared why won’t He feed You?”

During your times of weakness temptations will come the questions is how will you respond;

Jesus’ response was based on Scripture;

Deuteronomy 8:3 NKJV

3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

In order for us to be prepared to respond during weakness and temptation we must turn to Scripture and the best way to do that is to have the word hidden in our hearts;

Psalm 119:11 NKJV

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Who are you turning to or from in weakness?

Temptation 2

Satan here is asking to Jesus to prove God’s concern for Him - but again Satan manipulates Scripture;

This manipulation is basically telling Jesus - “Put Yourself in harms way and see what God will do?”

Psalm 91:10–12 NKJV

10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

People are not to put themselves in harms way to if God will respond that’s not how it works - God keeps His promises when we keep His ways;

However Jesus again responds with Scripture;

Deuteronomy 6:16 NKJV

16 “You shall not tempt the Lord your God as you tempted Him in Massah.

Have you put yourself in a bad place and the wondered where is God?

Temptation 3

Satan will at times offer the easy way to accomplish something - here he offers Jesus an easy way to a kingdom;

But how can he offer such a thing

John 14:30 NKJV

30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.

Satan has some power, limited by God’s sovereignty, but Jesus has already be give ultimate power and authority;

Here’s the point whatever you “worship” that is what you will serve and give control over too;

Deuteronomy 6:13 NKJV

13 You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

What are you worshipping?

Application Point: When we are tested, we will need certain supplies to help us grow in our trust of God’s plan and His leadership.