The Easy Way Out

THE EASY WAY OUT

“There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer [permit] you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, temptation has been a constant struggle as part of human life. Men have tried to avoid and resist temptation with many man-made efforts to succeed only to flounder.

Christ took the place of a humble servant, acting only from and in obedience to the Father that He might redeem the fallen race and a creation under the divine curse. satan’s object was to induce Christ to act for Himself, independent of His Father. The temptations of Christ in Matthew 4:1-12 is directed at Christ’s deity and how He would establish His Kingdom without sin. This is passage of Scripture, is one of the most mysterious spiritual battles between the Prince of Peace and the Prince of the power of the air recorded for our edification and how we may overcome temptation.

As you read Matthew 4:1-11 you will find some clear strategies used satan uses against God and His people. At the same time you will observe Jesus’ way of victory over the tempter.

Immediately after Jesus’ baptism and His Father’s verbal approval of the same and His confirmation of Christ’s deity, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil to take “The Easy Way Out.” The first temptation in verse three was satan’s purpose to frustrate the plan of God and usurp His authority. The easy way out to meet his physical need of hunger was to turn stones into bread. To overcome the temptation Jesus quoted Scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3 saying, “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (verse 4).

In the second temptation, found in verse six, satan continues his scheme by showing the easy way out would be for Him to use His divine power to serve His interest [cast Himself down]. By doing the spectacular He would gain a following because people always want to see a sign, a miracle or something sensational. Again Jesus uses Scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16 to overcome the temptation “…Thou shall not tempt the Lord your God” (verse 7).

Lastly, in verses eight and nine, satan asks Jesus to bow down and worship him and he would give all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them to Him. The easy way out would have been to compromise and not go through the agonizing events before and during the cross. For the third time Jesus quotes Scripture from Deuteronomy 10:20, “…Thou shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve” (verse10).

Indeed, Jesus used Scripture to overcome temptation and remained perfect even unto this day, “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). There is “No Easy Way Out.” Christ gave us an example to follow Him in how to be delivered from temptation. Let us go and do likewise. Remember to look at Christ, not the temptation. -- Dr. Henry Lutz is a retired pastor and a frequent contributor to Freedom Fighter

God's WORD for US: Proverbs 30; Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 2

GREAT QUOTE: "God never makes promises to remove temptation from us, for even God was subject to it (Matthew 4:1-11). There is a sense of achievement and assurance that results from victory over temptation that cannot come to us otherwise. Temptation shows what people really are. It does not make us Christian or Unchristian. Overcoming does make the Christian stronger and causes him to discover resources of power… In times of temptation Christ can become more real to you than ever.” -Billy Graham