Read Matthew 4 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
Chiastic Structure Teaching Tools in this chapter:
Matthew 3:1-4:25 Chiastic Structure
Matthew 4:1-11 Chiastic Structure
Matthew 4:18-25 Chiastic Structure
The devil, and demons, do not often appear in the Hebrew Testament (see Gen 3:1-4, 1 Chr 21:1, Job 1 and 2, Zec 3:1-2, and this list for “devils,” which is the entire list) but here in the Gospels, we start seeing them mentioned more readily.
We can apply the Common Theme Teaching Tool to discover what the Scripture says about them. In Gen 3 and 1 Chr 21, the devil is tempting to sin. Both Eve and David did not wake up that morning intending to sin, but satan drew them on. In Job 1 and 2, it is satan who instigates calamity and sickness for Job. And in Zec 3, satan is standing at the right hand of the High Priest, to oppose him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God;” for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Jam 1:13
In Mat 4 the devil tempts Yeshua to sin. The first two tests do not seem like much of a sin, but the fact that the suggestion comes from the mouth of the adversary is enough to consider it a bad idea. The voice of the Father had just confirmed at His baptism that Yeshua was His beloved Son, and satan was saying, “If you really are the Son of God, then do thus and so,” reminiscent of his temptation of Eve, in casting doubt on the Word of God.
Yeshua answered each temptation with the Word of God. He did not engage in discussion or debate. He did not apply His own willpower. When He answered with the Word, then the devil moved on to a different point, until he was commanded to leave.
Answering temptation with the Word of God requires a certain knowledge of the Word. If we are unfamiliar with the Word, this is a good reason to read in it every day and become familiar with it. Over time, as the treasure of the Word is stored up in the heart, the Holy Spirit can bring a specific answer to the mind that will defeat what the devil is trying to do, just as each temptation was defeated by Yeshua’s response.
If a certain temptation is a recurring pitfall, we can seek out and keep close the Word which answers it, until we are better prepared.
And, we can always cry out to God for help, if the temptation seems overwhelming and an answer is not immediately forthcoming. God answers our cries for help!
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
Overcoming Temptation with Scripture – Dr. David Jeremiah
Leave a Reply