HIS TIMING
1. Temptations took place in the wilderness. The wilderness must be overcome to enter the Promised Land. Moses was in the wilderness, as was Israel, John the Baptist and Saul of Tarsus.
2. Temptations came after His baptism and the heavens being opened (Matthew 3:13-17).
3. Temptations came just before His preaching ministry.
4. Temptations came when He was weak physically.
HIS WEAPONRY
1. All the temptations are to break the law of God – direct violation.
2. Temptations came after one another. Satan didn’t stop after his first defeat, but Jesus was “being tempted by the devil” for forty days (Luke 4:2).
3. Satan uses “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life.” These things are “not from the Father,” but are “from the world” (1 John 2:16).
a. He used this technique with Eve. “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” (Genesis 3:6).
b. So with our Lord. TEMPTATION #1: Bread – “the lust of the flesh.” TEMPTATION #3: Seeing the kingdoms of the world – “the lust of the eyes.” TEMPTATION #2: Miracle – “the boastful pride of life.” Luke’s gospel puts them in this order (4:3-12).
HIS PREPARATION
1. He was lead by the Spirit there to be tempted. God does this at times (Daniel and friends, Joseph)
2. He fasted showing utter devotion to God and his depriving of the flesh.
HIS WEAPONRY
1. Jesus quotes the Scripture of the law each time. These directly refute Satan’s pleas.
a. TEMPTATION #1: quotes the Scripture
b. TEMPTATION #2: corrects Satan with Scripture
c. TEMPTATION #3: rebukes Satan and quotes Scripture
2. Ministering angels
a. They were also their at His temptation in the garden (Luke 22:43)
b. They will do this for us as well (Hebrews 1:14)
1. No one is exempt from the fiery darts of the devil. We must be armed (Ephesians 6:10-17).
2. Satan is crafty and strong but Jesus is stronger (Luke 11:14-23).
3. Temptation may be subtle (stone to bread) or it may be obvious (bow down and worship me).
4. Temptation will be according to our lusts (James 1:12-16).
5. We have a High Priest who can sympathize (Hebrews 4:15-16; 2:18; 5:7).
6. When you find yourself in the wilderness-be prepared, alert, use Scripture, come to the throne.