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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 His Heavenly Father speaking right after He was baptized in the Jordan river when a voice came from heaven saying: '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 there He fasted forty days.

    When Jesus was weak from hunger, the devil came to test Him. 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 he thought it might be an opening, a crack in His armor. Also, he brought into question whether Jesus was actually the Son of God in order to instill a little doubt and confusion.

    Now Jesus had already heard a voice speaking to Him during His baptism at the river, but now here is another voice speaking to Him in the desert, 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. So He turned to the scriptures and His answer came from Deuteronomy 8:3. In short, whatever does not agree with scripture, does not come from God. The word of God is our anchor of truth that we must judge all things by.

    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 this was a compromise and it would mean 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. It is worth noting that this time, satan quotes scripture to Jesus (Psalm 91:11). Jesus again refers to scripture and quotes Deuteronomy 6:16. In all of this temptation, satan can only 'suggest' that Jesus should do something. It was entirely up to Jesus to decide whether to perform the act or not. When all his tricks failed, 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 scriptures. 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, then find a scripture that counters 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. Please 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!

    Note: Ladies, today is Thankful Thursday at the "Ladies in Distress" group (our RHM women's group)! You are welcome to join in our weekly sharing of thankfulness for the Lord's presence and any blessings you may have experienced, big or small! "Ladies in Distress" is a private group, so if you have any problems joining, just post anywhere and we will help you :). Here is the link: Ladies in Distress


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20 comments
  • 2
Deborah Alexander
Deborah Alexander

Thank you Pastor Todd so love this message, may God continue to use you and bless you be a blessing in Jesus Name Amen

July 30, 2020
  • 2
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen Father bless me with the knowledge to know the difference

July 30, 2020
  • 2
Jim Jarrell
Jim Jarrell

Amen! Thank You Lord!

July 30, 2020
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:7)  Amen

July 30, 2020
  • 2
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

July 30, 2020
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walker

Amen. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippines 4:13)  Amen 

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Scott Riegelmann
Scott Riegelmann

Amen thank you Jesus

July 30, 2020
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywine

Thank you Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,Amen.

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

In Jesus name Amen. Oh Lord help me to choose the right words from your word when the words are needed. In Jesus name Amen. 

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

God make my faith stronger. In the name of Jesus Amen 

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Kathie Byram Lopez
Kathie Byram Lopez

Jesus please help me

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Yada (Wendy)
Yada (Wendy)

In this passage the enemy is testing Jesus WITH SCRIPTURE... to SIN... this is specific pattern of sins often pointed at in New Testament. 

Jesus responded with scripture, setting the example for us. The fruits of the spirit also help us navigate and knowing the works of the flesh we can avoid many pitfalls many men don't avoid while practicing their individual theologies. 

 

These are given to us with the armor as we learn from Him The Words that He commands us to keep.  The epistles reinforce that they have these words & thereby have the authority to teach. They teach these things and often hint even at deeper understanding they've received from the spiritual teachings.  

 

It's absolute. It's full and completes us.

John 6.29

 

He is in our midst 

His Feast is now ♡

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Jose Simo
Jose Simo

Heavenly Father I know there are many temptations on this earth, the enemy is always willing to give us options but I trust in You. Provide for us a shield from the scripture that protects us from the deceiving enemy, in Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen. Be our fortress and companion Lord. 

Pastor, excellent devotional about temptations, God bless you and Sylvia. 

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Linda Clark
Linda Clark

Lord please help me be strong and do your will  not  the devil  in jesus name amen 

 

 

 

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Amen

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Thank You for Your word Father, Amen.

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Good Afternoon Everyone 

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes Lord Jesus, amen

July 30, 2020
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen!

July 30, 2020