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The Power of Suggestion

  • Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry. The devil said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.' Jesus answered him, saying, 'It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' Luke 4:1 WEB

    Jesus heard God speaking to Him right after He was baptized in the Jordan river, and a voice came from heaven: 'You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased' (Luke 3:22). Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, and fasted for forty days.

    The devil came to test Him when He was weak from hunger. The first temptation was, 'If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.' The devil saw that Jesus was hungry and thought it may be an opening. Also, he brought into question whether Jesus was actually the Son of God to instill a little doubt and confusion.

    Now Jesus had already heard a voice speaking to Him earlier, but now here is another voice, or is it the same one? Are they from the same source? Should He turn this stone into bread? Jesus needed to know whether this voice was God speaking to Him again, or a counterfeit. He turned to the scriptures and His answer came from Deuteronomy 8:3. Whatever does not agree with scripture, does not come from God. The word of God is our anchor of truth.

    The next temptation was a chance to set up an earthly kingdom even more powerful than the Roman empire. All of it could be given to Jesus here and now, if Jesus would only worship him. It was a legitimate desire. Jesus could set up a government that truly cared about the people and He could do a lot of good through it. But it was a compromise and meant using the world's methods. He would have to turn His back on His calling. Once again Jesus turned to scripture and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13, decisively rejecting the offer.

    The third suggestion was to perform a miracle by casting Himself off the temple, possibly to make people believe in Him, but also to prove that He is the Son of God. This time satan quotes scripture to Jesus (Psalm 91:11).

    In all of this temptation, satan can only 'suggest' that Jesus should do something. It was entirely up to Jesus to perform the act. Jesus again refers to scripture and quotes Deuteronomy 6:16. Then fresh out of ideas, the devil left Him until a more 'opportune' time.

    The devil 'suggested' things to Jesus, but he could not get around the clear word of God when directly confronted with it from a person that would not compromise. A person who's no actually meant no, and not maybe. Though he would have loved to, satan was unable to make Jesus do anything. He was limited to the power of suggestion.

    Jesus was also obeying the scripture as well. Telling the devil to flee when you are friends with him will not work. You have be committed to God first, and then resist the temptation, then he will flee just as He left Jesus. 'Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you' (James 4:7).

    If you have something that bothers you and will not go away, or have feelings of worthlessness, shame, or you are being tempted to do wrong, or you are full of fear, find a scripture for it and memorize it. Say it out loud through out the day. We all have our own weaknesses. Find a scripture that addresses it and stand on it, quote it to him. It is amazing what the light of scripture will do to the kingdom of darkness.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to stand on and help me beat this for I put my trust in You. Teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Note: For those interested in capturing or viewing photos of God's creation, here is this week's theme message from Creation Photographers: "Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." The theme of the week is "It Made Me Smile Today", and as always, is subject to interpretation! You are also welcome to post anything that inspires you at the group. Thank you all so much for being part of Creation Photographers!" Here is the link to participate in this group: Creation Photographers group


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22 comments
  • 1
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Help us all to keep looking up to you and see and understand your plans for us all! We are nothing without you..... we need you Jehovah! Thank you ❤️
November 13, 2018
  • 2
Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu

Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to stand on and help me beat this for I put my trust in You. Teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen

November 13, 2018
  • 2
Yvette York
Yvette Yorkedited: November 13, 2018

Amen

November 13, 2018
  • 2
Perry Robertson
Perry Robertson

Amen! The Word Of God IS our Anchor Of Truth!

November 13, 2018
  • 2
Ed Frye
Ed Frye

Amen!

November 13, 2018
  • 2
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen, Psalm 91

November 13, 2018
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! Father, please teach us to only hear your voice.

November 13, 2018
  • 2
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

I trust You Father, help me see Your plans. Amen.

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Joseph Adams, Jr.
Joseph Adams, Jr.

Amen.

November 13, 2018
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Please Jesus,help us to keep our faith strong and do your will. Amen 

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen!

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Amen

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Susan Petho
Susan Petho

Amen!

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Bella Colliander
Bella Colliander

This is a wonderful devotional.  I agree about memorizing scripture but I can not seem to remember.  There are very few scriptures I am able to quote.  I do recall bits and pieces of scripture but I am not able to put it all together.  I do pray that I am able to do so but just not there yet.  I love my Lord and I know when I need to, maybe the words don't come out perfectly but enough to talk about Him when needed.  Thank you Pastor and have a blessed day.

 

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Dear God give me the fortitude to go on. I’m tired. Amen

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your words of wisdom. Talk to me in a way I understand and lead me to defeat the enemy approach. In Jesus name I pray, Amen 

Thank you Pastor, we need this.

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler

You are my beloved son...I am well pleased with you!  This is what was the best to say to someone about to go to the desert and be hungry and tempted.  Knowing you are loved with words from your Father is the best.  I knew not these words growing up but am very grateful I know my Heavenly Father & Creator.  I like the thinking thru of Jesus when offered to set up a government and be in control...for Jesus thought between the World's government and the the one established in Heaven.  Our government shows more & more the teeth of Satan as evil becomes more evil..... Hallelujah!!

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Carol Pady
Carol Pady

Amen pray and stand in faith always

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes Lord Jesus, amen

November 13, 2018
  • 1
Gail Sellu
Gail Sellu

Prayer: Heavenly Father I pray that You bring me the scriptures that I need to stand on and help me beat this for I put my trust in You. Teach me Your word and help me understand my role in this. Help me see the big picture, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

November 16, 2018
  • 1
Sandra Colby
Sandra Colby

THE DEVIL PROBABLY DID NOT INTEND TO GIVE JESUS NOTHING BECAUSE HE IS A LIER, PRAISE THE LORD ,JESUS BELIEVED GOD. THANK YOU FATHER FOR SENDING YOUR SON TO DIE FOR ME,I'MYOURS FATHER TO DO AS YOU WANT,MY LIFE IS YOURS

November 16, 2018