C. Peter Wagner: "Back now to the power encounter at Jesus' temptation.
I mentioned previously (#28 Jesus Provokes
the Conflict) that Satan gave it his best shot,
but what specifically was Satan's plan of attack?
Satan attacked Jesus precisely as he attacked Adam and Eve in the first temptation, at the point of obedience to God.
Satan succeeded in enticing Adam and Eve to disobey God, and he expected he would succeed with Jesus as well.
Knowing that if Jesus ever broke the pact of obedience He had made with the Father the plan of salvation would be over, Satan went for it three times.
Jesus could have turned the stones into bread and He could have hurled Himself off the Temple and called angels to His rescue, but in either case He would have had to use His divine attributes, which He always had the power to do.
He could have asserted His deity and taken the kingdoms from Satan without worshiping him. But since the Father had not instructed Him to do any of these three things, Jesus didn't.
Unlike Adam and Eve, He obeyed the Father.
What we see, then, is Jesus in His human nature confronting the enemy directly. The central fact was that Jesus, as a human being, openly challenged Satan on his territory and defeated him.
This He did through the power of the Holy Spirit.
During His baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove and He was filled with the Spirit (Mark 1:10).
Then He was "let by the Spirit" to the power encounter with Satan (Luke 4:1). And after the devil was defeated, "Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee" (Luke 4:14).
The question before us remains, can we today identify with this?
Well, we can be tempted by the devil as Jesus was, since He was "in all points tempted as we are" (Heb. 4:15).
And we have access to the same Holy Spirit (John 16:14). And furthermore Jesus said to His disciples, and presumably to us as well, "I give you the authority...over all the power of the enemy" (Luke 10:19).
I myself believe we have the theological and spiritual potential to do the works that Jesus did.
But I hasten to point out this is largely a theoretical conclusion. Whether we should do this at all, and if so to what degree and under what circumstances, is a different and more immediate question."
#30 The Meaning of Jesus' Temptation
By C. Peter Wagner
By C. Peter Wagner
(pgs. 55 - 56) Regal Books
(Google image and emphasis added)
Pray with me:
Father, I'm sure there have been times,
and will be times of temptation for me.
Refusing to eat something that I know isn't good for me is one kind of temptation. But there are more important ones to consider, like being disobedient to what I know the Scriptures tell me.
Taking to heart what I've heard to be Your Word and not following Your Holy Spirit's urgings, is what displeases You, and it causes me to miss the blessings You had in mind in the instructions.
May my heart and mind be more open to what You speak within my being each day, so I can become more peaceful, as well as productive, for Your Kingdom.
I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
A popular post: Our God Reigns From Word Ministries - "Does God have freedom to reign in your life? He stands at the door and knocks waiting for you to open the door.
At your invitation He will come
to the table and eat with you."
and will be times of temptation for me.
Refusing to eat something that I know isn't good for me is one kind of temptation. But there are more important ones to consider, like being disobedient to what I know the Scriptures tell me.
Taking to heart what I've heard to be Your Word and not following Your Holy Spirit's urgings, is what displeases You, and it causes me to miss the blessings You had in mind in the instructions.
May my heart and mind be more open to what You speak within my being each day, so I can become more peaceful, as well as productive, for Your Kingdom.
I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Today’s Bible verse: Jer. 31:28 "And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD."
Today’s quote: N. Joan Huth - "How great is our God! How great is His Name! Praise to Him Who puts His Voice in our spirits! As you sit in His Presence He will gladly fill your heart with the sweetness of His Grace. Rejoice in Who He is and desire more and more to know His Spirit!" (from Energizing Your Prayer Life)
Some thoughts today: We can refuse correction and evil will come. God will cancel the evil if we repent. He gives us freedom to choose.
Today’s quote: N. Joan Huth - "How great is our God! How great is His Name! Praise to Him Who puts His Voice in our spirits! As you sit in His Presence He will gladly fill your heart with the sweetness of His Grace. Rejoice in Who He is and desire more and more to know His Spirit!" (from Energizing Your Prayer Life)
Some thoughts today: We can refuse correction and evil will come. God will cancel the evil if we repent. He gives us freedom to choose.
- It breaks God's heart when we refuse to be changed!
- Will we consider that God is attempting to change us into His image through our trials and temptations? We can change with His help. In Jer. 18:1-10, the potter shapes the clay.
3rd- Saturday’s post: Rooted In Love
3rd- Saturday’s post: Rooted In Love
Joe Stowell
4th- Sunday evening's post: What About You?
Jean Oathout
6th- Tuesday's post: #31 How Far Should We Go?
C. Peter Wagner
8th- Thursday's post: #32 Conquering a City
C. Peter Wagner
A popular post: Our God Reigns From Word Ministries - "Does God have freedom to reign in your life? He stands at the door and knocks waiting for you to open the door. At your invitation He will come
to the table and eat with you."
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
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Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women
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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!
Kindle $.99
A great gift for someone who's having
challenges in their marriage!
Bridal Shower Devotional
Bridal Wisdom for Women
My book in paperback $7.95
Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
AuthorsDen.com
Where authors and readers come together!
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