In the
wilderness temptation satan offered
Jesus three things. He also offers them
to you:
1) Satisfaction!
Jesus was hungry and satan tempted Him
to turn stones into bread. This was
satisfaction without God, because God's
plan was to feed His Son supernaturally
through angels. But Jesus refused to
settle for less - and so should you!
2) Success! But it
was success without God. Taking Jesus to
the top of the temple, Satan said "Jump
off, God will protect You and everyone
will believe in You"(Paraphrase).
Success without the cross. Take the easy
way out! And hasn't satan made you that
same offer: 'You don't have to take up
your cross. You don't have to practice
self-denial.' Satan lied then, and he's
lying to you now.
3) Significance!
Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of this
world and their glory if He'd just bow
down to him. What an offer. Significance
without God! But Jesus rebuked him with
a reminder from Scripture that God alone
is worthy of being glorified.
Satan will take
every legitimate desire you have and try
to get you to fulfill it in an
illegitimate way. But God '...will
provide the way of escape...' You say 'I
don't see the way of escape.' That's
because you're focused on the temptation
instead of the way out. God's promise of
escape doesn't mean you won't have to
persevere and be faithful to Him. And,
as in the case of Christ, it involves
knowing and being able to use the
Scriptures. But it does mean that when
God's purpose of victory over temptation
has been served, you'll come out
victorious!