DCLM Higher Everyday 21 March 2024 — Are You Ever Tempted? – Part 2
Topic: Are You Ever Tempted? – Part 2
Text: Matthew 4:5-7
5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Key Verse: “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7).
Message
Our text focuses on Satan’s second temptation to make Christ sin against God. Satan wanted Christ to commit the sin of presumption. To achieve this, He led Christ into the holy city, setting him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said, “… If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.” Jesus quoted the Scriptures to counter the temptation. Are you ever tempted to contradict God’s will? Nathaniel Parker Wallis said, “No degree of temptation justifies any degree of sin.”
Dear friend, do not tempt God by deliberately doing what He hates. Remember how God disciplined Miriam for murmuring against Moses. Reject sinful offers from Satan and his agents by holding unto God and His promises. When, like Christ, you are tempted by Satan, confront him with God’s Word and victory will be yours. However, ensure you are born again as sin renders the Word ineffective in a sinful soul.
Quote: Reject sinful offers from Satan
Challenge: Like Christ, resist temptations with God’s Word.
Prayer for today: Help me Oh God, to resist temptations in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
