THIS EPISODE:
What are you tempted by the most in life right now? Temptations are only human, right? But when we give into temptations, it also inevitably leads down sordid paths and arrives at unhealthy destinations that we never really intended.
Jesus can help. The good news for us today is Jesus not only understands our temptations, but was tempted just as we are. And today we can find hope and help from Jesus in his how he handled his temptations. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…
PRIMARY TEXTS:
—Hebrews 4:15 (CSB)—
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.
—Matthew 4:1-11 (CSB)—
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 Then the tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
7 Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 And he said to him, “I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and began to serve him.
—Psalm 119:11 (CSB)—
I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
—Deuteronomy 8:3 (CSB)—
“It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
—Deuteronomy 6:16 (CSB)—
“It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.”
—Deuteronomy 6:13 (CSB)—
For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”
