PARADIGM SHIFTThe Temptation of Christ

7 months ago
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Luke 4:1-13 “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.” 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 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. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
9 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. 10 For it is written “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.”
Characteristics of temptation
1. Temptation is universal.
Luke 4:1 – “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert…”
1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
2. Temptation is strategic.
Luke 4:2-3 - “…being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
3. Temptation is seductive.
Mark 14:38 – “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Romans 8:5 – “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
4. Temptation seems like a great bargain.
Luke 4:5-7 - "Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.”
Luke 4:3 -"If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."
"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Psalms 119:18 - Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. If we walk in the Spirit, He will help us to see things from a spiritual perspective, and we will never go wrong.
5. Temptation is a part of life. 
verse 13: Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
1 Corinthians 12:10 - Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II. There are two ways to react to temptation.
1. We can give in.
2. We can be victorious.
How was Jesus vicarious over temptation
He knew the Word.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Walked in the Spirit,

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