Temptation

 I am reading Matthew 4 today about the temptations of Christ in the desert after He was baptized. I verse 3 the "tempter" told him, if you are the Son of God turn these stones into bread". Why was this a temptation? Jesus was hungry and he had the power to turn stones into bread (or anything else), there would be no harm to anyone if he did, so why was it a temptation? What would have been wrong if he had turned stones into bread? And how does it apply to us in our daily life?

There seem to be several possible reasons it was a temptation and several ways we can apply it to our lives today.

1. Just because something is not bad or wrong does not mean it is right or best.

2. By getting something to eat when he was supposed to be fasting, he would have been distracted from his task.

3. The devil was the one who commanded him to make the stones into bread and he should not be listening to the devil for instructions.

4. By getting something to eat he would have shown more interest in his own comfort than in focusing on preparing for his ministry.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Genesis 16

Read today about Sarah giving her servant to Abraham so he could have a child and it reminds me that we often become impatient with God. We are not willing to wait for His plan to be fulfilled in His way. Or we think we have a better way to accomplish what we believe to be God's will.
Read more

Obeying God

Exodus 5. When Moses did what God had commanded for him to do, things got worse for the people of Israel. When I do something that I think God wants me to do and things do not go well, there are a couple of thoughts I have: 1. Maybe I am not really doing what God wants, maybe what I am doing is what I want. 2. I am doing the right thing, why doesn't God honor my actions? Since we know what happens later in the story, we learn that God does do what He says He would do, but in His time and in His way. Our duty is to do what He asks us to do.
Read more

Reverence

In reading Exodus, it has stuck me how ritualistic the Israelites were and how all of the rituals were commanded by God. It is hard for us today to fully understand all of the rituals because that is all it means to us, just rituals. But it was through these rituals and requirements that people were able to show reverence to God and his majesty was manifested. We have become so relaxed in our practice and experience of "worship" that I think we have lost some of the awe, respect and fear of God. I for one need to be more respectful, more reverent and more in awe of God when I enter His presence or when I enter the church to worship.
Read more