Recognizing Temptation

Did you hear about the clever salesman who closed hundreds of sales with this line: “Let me show you something several of your neighbors said you couldn’t afford.”

What do you need to recognize before you are suckered? What do you need to recognize to avoid temptations based on pride? We have 3 answers for you in this video.

Intro

I remember as a kid how often my friends challenged each other. The guys said to each other, “I Double-Dog Dare ya’”. If you accepted the “dare”, you then had to PROVE your courage, or stamina, or a willingness to do something foolish. so you could be accepted by the group.

Such “proofs” were ALWAYS about your PRIDE. The wisest man to ever live wrote, Pro_11:2  When pride comes, then comes disgrace…” Or read Pro_16:18  Pride goes before destruction,…”   And then there was Pro_29:23  One’s pride will bring him low,…”

In this final record of Jesus’ direct temptations, the Devil takes Jesus to a very high place on the top of the temple. It was there Satan pushed Jesus’ “pride button’. “IF YOU ARE the Son of God….. Satan was daring Jesus to do something foolish, namely jumping off the temple, in order TO PROVE that he was the Messiah.

And as usual, the Father of Lies, twisted an Old Testament Scripture to meet his purpose. Yes, it is true, that Satan quoted ALMOST PERFECTLY Psalms 91:11-12.

Satan was trying to get Jesus to accept his dare and jump from the top of the temple. The Devil emphasized how the angels were charged with taking care of him. HE SAID the angels would protect him from even stumping his toe on a rock. So, if Jesus would accept this “dare”, he could jump off and the angels would catch him, thus proving he was God’s Son, the Messiah.

But Satan could not trick Jesus this time either.

Here is Your FIRST RECOGNITION.

Jesus recognized the pride factor. He heard Satan say IF YOU ARE God’s son. Since he himself knew he was God’s son, he had NOTHING TO PROVE. He recognized the dare or temptation. Pride can set you up for a dare or temptation. First, recognize your weakness. It’s your pride.

Second, Jesus recognized the purpose of this dare. Jesus called it “Testing God”. So he quoted one of those scriptures that every Jewish boy learned. He quoted Deut 6:16, saying, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Recognize WHY Satan is tempting you. He is daring you, or tempting you to show off your pride, whether it is your kids or grandkids, your home, your position at work, or whatever. If you recognize it, it is possible for you to defeat it.

Don’t let pride become a tool for Satan’s temptations. If you do, you are testing God to see if God means what he says. Will God really send me to hell because of one little dare?

Here is a fact: If you are TESTING God, you are not TRUSTING God.

And Third, if you have trouble with pride, recognize how you might be testing God’s kindness. Romans 11:22  Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.”

Don’t test God.

Instead, why not LOOK for answers for your pride? Remove it. Work on being humble.

If Timeless Talks can help you, don’t hesitate. Call this number and leave a message with your name and need. Or use the contact page to send an email. If prayers are needed, confidential volunteers are ready to help.

And don’t forget the additional resources below. Go back and watch the other Temptation Videos

Thanks for your time. I appreciate the thoughts you have given to this video.

So, until we can visit again, Goodbye for now.