Temptation

Good Morning all. Sorry about not writing yesterday but I was up and on the road by 430 am. I barely got up in time to get ready. But I am still blessed and highly favored. We have completed the first 3 chapters in Luke. I hope you are growing in your relationship with the Lord and growing knowledge in His Word. So let's jump into chapter 4. Here is where we start getting into the meat of God's Word. We had to build the foundation before we could start working on a building. v.1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,(are we using the Holy Spirit?), left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.(The devil came after him. Don't you think that is odd. The devil knew that Jesus is the son of God and yet he tried to persuade him, so what makes us think that the devil won't come after us?) He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.(I also noted that since Jesus had nothing eaten, his physical body was weak, his mind was tired. So I guess the devil thought this was the best time. Do you notice he comes after us when we are weak? That is why we have to stay rooted to Jesus. That is why we have to let the Holy Spirit guide our path.) The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone." (scripture one). The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to . If you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." (scripture two). The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." Jesus answered, "It is said: Do not put the Lord your God to the test." (scripture 3). When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Notice that this last sentence says he left Jesus until another time. Satan was not finished with Jesus. This passage is very telling. Jesus combated the devil all three times with Scripture. Hence we need to know Scripture but also how to use it. That is why studying the Bible is so critical. We have the same Holy Spirit living inside us that can show us what to do. Did you notice what the devil tempted Jesus with? The first was with food, he knew that Jesus was very hungry. He started with the most obvious temptation first. But he got no where. Then he tempted Jesus with power. But Jesus had all the power in the world. He KNEW his Father and did not need what the devil called power. Then he tempted him with life. Jesus did not fall for that one either. The devil knows that we need physical food for our bodies to physically survive. The devil always attacks our physical. But if our branches are connected to the root then he can not attack the spiritual. Jesus says in John 15:5- I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. We have to be connected, well not just connected but Jesus has to be IN us. This passage shows that even Jesus, Son of God, did not escape the terror of Satan. If Satan thinks he can move Jesus, what makes us think that Satan can't just come right on in and show you your hearts desire. Jesus tells us about the heart. Let's start with Proverbs 4:23- Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.Guys, now that the country is opening back up, I want to see how many still are relying on God or was it just a phase? Are you keeping your hearts on God or was it just a phase? Have a blessed day!