MATTHEW 4
1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,
is not from the Father, but is from the world.” We need only to go back to the
first sin to see these three underlying facets of sin at work.
Genesis 3:6 says, “When the woman saw that the
tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the
tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she
gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” God told Eve that she couldn’t
eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This would keep her from
being aware of sin which would destroy her innocence and ruin her joy. Yet the
serpent told her that she would be like God if she ate of the tree, appealing
to the pride of life. She saw that
the tree was “desirable to make one wise,” and she ate. This is the pride of
life, a motive wrought in arrogance, boastfulness, and self-centeredness.
Rather than bowing down, trusting, and worshipping God, the pride of life
motivates us, as it did Eve, to want to see god in ourselves.
Eve also saw that the tree was “good for food,”
meaning that it looked like it would taste good and be satisfying and enjoyable
to eat. But the pleasures of sin are temporary, and Eve fell for the lust of the flesh, trusting in her
sensory rather than in the Word of God spoken to her. The lust of the flesh
trusts man’s judgment, feelings, and temporary conveniences in lieu of God’s
inalterable Word. Eve also saw that the tree was a “delight to the eyes,” for
it was a beautiful creation of God. Sin does not necessarily appear as ugly,
dirty, and destructive, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2
Corinthians 11:14).
The fruit that God told Eve not to eat was
extremely enticing and attractive in its appearance. The lust of the eyes propelled Eve down the road of deception until she
disobeyed God and incurred the penalties of sin. Both Adam and Eve learned the
hard way that the knowledge of evil corrupted their natures resulting in
distrust, fear, alienation, pain, and many other hideous things for the rest of
their lives. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life
all work in sinister collaboration to lead us astray, to keep us from trusting
God’s Word, and to fall for the schemes of the devil.
AVENUES OF TEMPTATION:
The lust of the flesh
…preys on physical appetites and their gratification in this world.
[designed to draw us away from the will of God to serve the flesh.
Temptation is greatest when hunger, fatigue, and loneliness are acute.
Enticed to meet a legitimate physical need by acting independently of God.]
The lust of the eyes
….appeals to self-interest and tests the Word of God.
The pride of life
…stresses self-promotion and self-exaltation.
The lust of the FLESH: craving for
sensual gratification
The lust of the EYES: greedy longings of
the mind
The PRIDE of life: assurance in one’s
own resources or in the stability of earthly things!!
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Purpose not to compromise in
any of these areas…your refusal to compromise is Satan’s greatest rebuke.
Example of Michael the archangel “did not pronounce against him a railing judgment”
but instead put the matter into God’s hands by saying, “The Lord rebuke
you” Jude 1:9
Never become Satan-centered, always be
God-centered, Matthew 6:33
Be aware of the enemy’s tactics with
you, but never focused on anything other than the LORD!
Satan’s goal for your life: to
thwart God’s best for you and your family. He wants to shatter your
influence and hinder your dependence upon the Lord to live HIS LIFE out through
you!
Secret of Victory: Living out
God’s purpose in the power of the Holy Spirit and being totally dependent upon
Him in every aspect of your life.
The LORD was in the wilderness to be
tempted as a MAN…As God, He could not be tempted…James 1:13
Satan (v. 3) appealed to the
BODY…reasonable…Jesus was hungry. Satan
disguised his appeal as sympathy.
First Adam
Fruit of tree…good
for food…
Eating…legitimate
need but God said, “do NOT eat”…
Violated God’s will
Acted independently
of Him. (Gen.3:1,3,6)
LAST Adam
Matt. 4:4 Jesus
would not act independently of His Father’s will by accepting Satan’s
offer. Jesus was hungry, but totally dependent on His Father.
(v. 6) Satan appealed to the SOUL...give
self display…veneer of admiration
First Adam
Appeal to sense of
self-preservation
(Eve)”God was wrong
considering consequences of sin?”
Delighted her eyes
“Prove it to me
rather than trusting God wholeheartedly.”
LAST Adam
Matt. 4:6 “jump and
the angels will catch you.”
Jesus’ answer:
“You shall not…” 4:7
(v. 9) Satan appealed to
SPIRIT…definitely wrong…exposed his real motive!...”prostrate yourself before
me.”
First Adam
To rule own world
To be own god
“to make one wise”
LAST Adam
“All these things I
will give You.”
Jesus’ answer:
“Begone, Satan! For
it is written (4:10)
AND Satan departed!!!!!
Satan always gives partial Truth. Jesus’ shows us the secret: Submission to the
Word of God is how to overcome temptation!!!!
The lust of the FLESH: craving for
sensual gratification
The lust of the EYES: greedy longings of
the mind
The PRIDE of life: assurance in one’s
own resources or in the stability of earthly things!!
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