Note for 20250525

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

According to Matthew

Part 121 - Mat 4 - Temptation

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250525 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 121 - Mat 4 - Temptation

Matthew 4:1-11 KJV

[1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. [2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. [3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. [4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. [5] Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, [6] and saith unto him, 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. [7] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. [8] Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; [9] and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. [10] Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. [11] Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.4.1-11.KJV

This morning, I overslept in a big way, hours later than I would usually get up. I was met with a world I do not often get to see. Now, yesterday was my day of rest, and quite a bit has happened in the last 24 hours of my life.

The title today is temptation, and I must bring in one of my favourite verses for consideration as we look at this topic, with Christ in view as the example for us.

Romans 8:28 KJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.28.KJV

As I said, quite a bit has happened in the last few hours. Now, for those that are fond of me, I am okay, I know God's protection. I was nipped in the face by a neighbours dog. No, it is not the dog's fault, if anything, I just came a little too close to an animal that was irritated with something else, for I often greet it. All things work for good, just as this verse in Romans says.

Friends, what is temptation? Is there not many forms of it, just as we learn here in the opening verses of Matthew 4? Yes, of course we know who is behind all these challenges in life, but it is also what tempts us and takes us through our trials. Sure, it was maybe more than just a nip at my nose for our neighbours dog, but to me blood was drawn. Let me tell you, the old me might have struck at the poor animal, or even have made a big deal and have him put down. The question in me, did he invade my space, or did I invade his? So often, we are like this animal, we snap at each other, and while it might not draw blood, the scars are left behind far deeper beneath the flesh. Though I was shocked at his behaviour, I must remember, he is a dog and it is in his nature. The same is true for those who do not know the peace of GOD. They act according to their nature, understand. Fruit of the spirit, is as the fruit from a tree. You can harvest grapes from a fig tree, friends.

I was shocked and had to deal with a little blood, and surely I will be a little more on guard from now on, but the dog did not harm my soul. In comparison to what I have endured in my life, this was like a scratch. Something that only required a plaster or two. What is our nature, are we tempted to get revenge, do we have murder in our hearts? You see, it is written, "Thou shalt not kill." As a follower of Jesus Christ, can we forgive a dog? The judgment that we judged with, we will be judged with, not? Now, do you know how Romans 8 continues from verse 28?

Romans 8:29-33 KJV

[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. [31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.29-33.KJV

From there we also learn that we are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ and that nothing can separate us from the love of GOD. What do these two scriptures, that in Matthew of the Temptation of our Lord and the words of Paul in Romans 8 have in common? It is GOD that justifies, by what is written. And so too is the law of GOD, that came into play when I was bitten. That dog did not trespass against me, I was in his reach, he was behind the gate. Did he invite me for tea?

You know what gives verse 28 and what follows even more credit in mention today? If I wasn't bitten by that dog, whom I am quite fond of by the way, my words to you today would not have had any testimony or qualification. But, because I have scars to prove what I say, I am justified to speak on this today. Now read Romans 8:28-33 again.

Question: Did the Lord fail in protecting me, or did I tempt the Lord by going on in foolishness, without the consideration of the nature of a dog and how he might defend his territory? Then the right party bears the marks for that. It is justified, the matter is settled within the law of GOD. And I am the one that learned the lesson, though it was a painful one. The Holy Spirit didn't lift off from me. I failed a test, but have learned from it and now have a testimony of it. Who led Christ into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil?

Matthew 4:1 KJV

[1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.4.1.KJV

You know, the trial was not in the bite, but in the response. It is in what happens after the bite we're the real test comes in. Christ was led into the wilderness, fasting for 40 days. Then came the devil and tempted Christ by the hunger He felt. And Christ replied by what is written. Do we follow Christ Jesus, or just in word and not in deed?

Now, it is not just dogs that bite, people bite too. They bite with words. What is the nature of one that is lost? What is the nature of them who know not the Word of GOD? What is their natural response? Do they bark at strangers in the street walking past? Will they bite if you come to close and trespass on what GOD has permitted them to have? The question is really, "What did you expect?" Did you expect figs from the grapevine?

Temptations come in many forms, friends. It is not just in lust. Though that dog loved his head to be scratched in the past, yesterday he would have none of it. Are we not the same? Most days we can tolerate what people require and expect of us, but the day we will have none of it, our response may be just as dangerous. The Word of GOD guides us, even when we stand in the wrong. Before you go at someone, just remember in whose territory you stand. Don't be surprised when you walk away with scars if you were the one who trespassed.

Selah, Shalom.

The House of Bread

(NOTE: If You feel that you want more, please take note that this here is basically just the notes for the Audio version of the Note. There is much more in the Audio and Video Versions of the Daily Notes)

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Matthew 25:40 KJV

[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.25.40.KJV

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