Spiritual Highs And Lows Series

Jesus was tempted with pride.

Satan is trying to get him to test God. It is a manipulation ploy. Acts of manipulation are all about pride. They are actions motivated to get our desires and our way.

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ’Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” Matthew 4:8-11

Jesus was tempted materially.

Possessions and fame are all fleeting. They will never stand the test of eternity.

Practical Lessons for our life:

1) Christ understands our weaknesses.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

2) Eternal focus leads to eternal choices.

Jesus was not about the temporary pleasure of the moment. He was not about the fame for himself at this point in his life. He was focused on the understanding that God had called him to bring fame to God.

3) The scriptures are a valuable weapon in our war with Satan.

Satan misused scripture in tempting Jesus. But Jesus used the scripture to rightly point to the eternal truths of God.

You: In what areas are you finding the spiritual battles begin fought in your life? How are you dealing with them? What temptations are you facing that you need to evaluate from an eternal vs. temporary perspective?

We: As the body of Christ we need to encourage one another to be careful of the lows that can follow spiritual highs. We need to learn to live on the consistent path of obedience and dependence in order to live the kind f life God has called us to live.