The reason why Christ went into the wilderness in the first place was to be tempted.
Matthew 4:1-2 (KJV) Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred..
Satan did not just ignore Him for forty days and then on the last day decided to have a go at Christ. This is how Luke puts it.
Luke 4:1-2 (KJV) And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
There was continuous temptation over the forty-day period but these last three temptations represent Satan's best and most successful tactics reserved for his final assault.
James explains the mechanics of temptation.
James 1:13-15 (KJV) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
It has to do with finding something that the person really wants and exploiting it. Once you have enticed them with the prospect of getting something that they want then you subtly draw them in to sin.
Temptation 1 (self-reliance / self-importance)
So what did Satan figure that Christ wanted here? Coming to the end Satan must have realised that the weaker Christ got physically the stronger He became spiritually. The sin that Satan wanted to encourage was self-importance or excluding God from our actions. He knew that the natural tendency for someone facing a grueling task is to rely on their own ability and hence to strengthen themselves physically and rely on themselves to cope. This is compounded by the craving that we have to be comfortable or to satisfy our basic needs. Psychologists would tell us about Maslow's hierarchy of needs and motivational theory which puts air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex and sleep as the most crucial needs. So what did Satan do? He carefully crafted a seemingly innocent proposal.
Matthew 4:3 [KJV]And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Satans first attack was to encourage Christ to relax and be physically refreshed thereby separating Him from His source of spiritual nourishment. His tactics were subtle but Christ was wise to his objectives.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (KJV) For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Christ knew that His physical weakness made Him spiritually stronger through relying on God. In fasting we exalt God and tap into a greater source of power than we can muster on our own. Christ was well aware of this and therefore refused. Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God
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Notice that Christ's response gives us some insight into fasting:
- man shall not live by bread alone.
- man shall live by every word of God
A better way of putting it is:
- man cannot survive on food alone.
- man can survive on all that comes from the mouth of God.
- by extension; by fasting I demonstrate my Choice to rely on God and His promises (i.e. the mouth of God) rather than on my own strength so I will continue.
Fasting is an act of humility and submission. The basis of fasting is 'affliction' or discomfort. Fasting says that we are resigned to follow God and accept temporary discomfort rather than have all our cares met in the world. Fasting puts away the cares of this world as a matter of urgency to attain the Kingdom. There are only two other men whom God demonstrated ware capable of handling this gruelling test. They were Moses and Elijah. Moses was Mr. Patience and Elijah was Mr. Energy.
The problem here is not one of providing food becaue Christ fed 4,000 (Matthew 15:29-39) and 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) and provided wine at a wedding (John 2:1-11). It is one of priorities. Whose priorities are more important, mine or God's? A twist in this same problem that we have as men shows up when Christ was calling the disciples.
Luke 9:57-61 (KJV) And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
We have a tendency to focus on dealing with our material needs first but God addresses the spiritual first. When we are in sync with Him then our priorities change. Humility or putting God first is far more important than satisfying our own cravings. There are many lessons in humility
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I Peter 5:5-7 (KJV) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Christ attaineed his objective through humility.
Philippians 2:8-11 (KJV) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Temptation 2 (give them a sign)
What did Jesus want here? There is a natural tendency in men to want to show off and impress people but I hardly think that falling off of a building would impress a spirit being and in any case Satan already knew that Christ was the Son of God. Jesus did not want to impress Satan. He wanted to satisfy the people's needs. He wanted them to love Him because it was in their best interest.
Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
In Maslow's hierarchy this is at the opposite end from physiological needs and is called transcendence needs. These are the needs that people have when all of their personal needs have been satisfied and therefore when they want nothing for themselves. This is a craving based in selflessness which is actually a good thing isn't it? Satan seems to have added a bit from self-actualization needs here. These are the most refined personal needs and are expressed by people who want to be the best that they can be. Those who want have more specific evidence can can look up the list of characteristics of self-actualised people.
People want a sign. They want to be impressed. That kind of adulation passes for love. That is the reality and Christ knew it. It would be natural to accept them as they are and use what naturally motivates them so Satan made another seemingly innocent proposal.
Matthew 4:5-6(KJV)Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
God does not approve of showing off or pride no matter how good the intention is. You do not need to make a name for yourself to serve God. God does not need those types of theatrics to do his work. God is not superficial and while such things impress people they do not motivate them to serve God.
Matthew 4:7[KJV] Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
The signs that Christ gave were all about doing good not grandstanding or seeking adulation.
Matthew 11:3-6 (KJV)And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:5The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
The explanation to Christ's answer comes out in Matthew. This particular matter arose over dealing with someone that was possessed. Christ eventually dealt with that issue but He took the opportunity to teach some vital lessons. Signs are there but you need the right heart to see them.
Matthew 12:22-24 (KJV) Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
Satan was saying that Christ should cast himself down from the temple pinnacle and the context suggests that it would be intended to prove that he was the son of God. It would be tempting God because they already had many signs beginning with Christ's birth and they ignored them. They wanted glamorous signs to suit their own preconceptions. Christ here heals all kinds of people and they still did not believe.
Matthew 12:25-32 (KJV) And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
If we oppose the Holy Spirit we have no hope because it is the Holy Spirit that informs us of God and His will. Without the Holy Spirit we cannot resist evil, it will always come back stronger and therefore we cannot repent. Notice what the main sign is.
Matthew 12:33-35 (KJV) Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
That is the sign! Good comes from good and evil from evil. We don't need anything amazing just look at the persons heart and as He said in verse 34, what is in your heart comes out in what you say.
Matthew 12:36-37(KJV) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
But they still wanted a sign. They wanted a sign after all that Christ had already done. He had already given them the proof but they wanted Him to confirm their opinions not reveal God's truth.
Matthew 12:38-42(KJV) Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Because they rejected the Holy Spirit Christ told them their fate. No sign could help them. The problem was that their hearts were rejecting the revelation of the Holy Spirit in favour of their tradition. They will always want another sign because their hearts were not willing to accept the Holy Spirit and see the truth. The only way the demon (of deception or otherwise) could return is because the space where he was would not be occupied by the Holy Spirit. It would be empty.
Matthew 12:43-45(KJV) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Christ observation is repeated in Matthew 16:1-4. People do not need any more signs to serve God. He explained in another place (Luke 16:30) that even if someone came back form the dead and warned them it would make no difference. Of course this act took place during Passover and proved Him to be absolutely correct.
Temptation 3 (the end justifies the means)
What did Christ want here?
Matthew 23:37 (KJV) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
John 10:10-11 (KJV) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Christ wanted to comfort and save these people. Satan now employs an appeal to rationalization, a concept that ensnares all mankind. David used it to get Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), Abraham used it to pass Sarah off as his sister (Genesis 20), Elijah used it to justify his frustration over Jezebel (1 Kings 19 especially verse 4) and maybe Moses used it to hit the rock instead of speak to it (Numbers 20).
Matthew 4:8-9(KJV) Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Again Christ sees through Satans subtle challenge. The ends do not justify the means. Satan was offering Him the easy way without any crucifixion and most men would have jumped at this.
Matthew 4:10(KJV) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Christ later expands on this subject and explains what it involves in more detail
Matthew 6:22-24 (KJV) The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Then we have a combination of the second and third temptations.
Matthew 7:14-23 (KJV) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
This is very plain and it can be summarised by a Bible quotation obedience rather than sacrifice (1Samuel 15:22, Isaiah 1:11-20; 65:1-2).
God does not need our help but he wants us to be involved. He could get rocks to do what we do Luke 19:40. God does not need our intelligence to figure out anything for Him. It is He who made Solomon the wisest man who ever lived and if He needed us to be smart He could do it again. He does not need a strong warrior. He made Samson and if He needed another He could do it again. He does not need our money. He tells us in Haggai 2:8 that the silver and Gold is His. If He needed any material thing He certainly would not ask us because He owns the world Psalm 50:12.
There are outstanding Biblical examples of this (obedience rather than sacrifice). In Leviticus 10 we have the tragic story of Nadab and Abihu. Their poor father could not even mourn for them. Saul wrecked his future as a servant of God by disobeying God and claiming to have brought back the best of the Amalekites for God in 1 Samuel 15. Poor Uzza suffered because of the nation's ignorance when He touched the Ark of the Covenant in 1Chronicles 13. The worst case however is in the New Testament where God says in Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7 in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men
; this is elaborated on further in Matthew.
Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
These are very, very hard facts.
Throughout the Temptations Satan used a basic tactic that Christians endure continually: ridicule and goading or taunting. What kind of Christian are you anyway? You can't even (make your family proud; provide for your family; dress well; preach or whatever). In Christians this can lead to guilt and in response to that guilt we may sin by losing sight of what really matters. In Christ's case it was What kind of God are you anyway? You can't even...
. In a conversation it may present itself as Ad Hominem
. (Attacking the person): This fallacy occurs when, instead of addressing someone's argument or position, you irrelevantly attack the person or some aspect of the person who is making the argument.
When people are insulted they tend to feel insecure and insecurity leads to fear and fear leads to hate. Jeering and taunting hurts. It hurts because there is always some element of truth although the facts are twisted and distorted. The most insidious kind is of the form that Satan used where it is not an outright accusation but a demeaning subtle innuendo. It is very difficult to ignore but this is just what Christ did. He acted as though it was not even done and I know from experience (and I would hazard a guess that you do too) that this is very hard. Christ was not insecure because He had committed all to the Father. He knew exactly who He was and what He was capable of and what His limitations were as a human. Christ had perfect love and perfect love casts out fear. You can read about love in 1 Corinthians 13 and see why this tactic did not work on Christ. To keep your mouth shut in the face of someone doing something to provoke you is extremely difficult but it is something that God wants us to learn and when we do learn it we are ready for a new era as God's representative just like our older brother, Christ. Even His words were controlled by the will of God.
John 12:49-50 (KJV) For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
1 Peter 2:21-23 (KJV) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Life jeers at Christians. Given the chance it will prey on our insecurities. Everywhere people are obsessed with status and unfortunately it is a weakness in Christians too. My church is bigger than yours. My pastor is better than yours. My 'truth' is better than yours, and the list goes on. James and John wanted the top positions with Christ. One version of the story is found in Mark 10:35 -45. The approached Christ about holding these positions and when the other disciples found out they were angry. Why? All of them were concerned about status. If we have committed all things to God who judges righteously then we would accept our status as the work of God, consequently our best bet is to learn to commit all things to God.
There is one more item to note and that is how Christ ended the encounter. Let us back up a bit.
Matthew 4:10 (KJV) Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
I don't want to go to deep into the apples of gold in pictures of silver thing but even Christ reached a point where it seems that He snapped at Satan. This is not always the best solution and many times we may just have to live with our anger or frustration but God expects us to be angry at times.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (KJV) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:30-32 (KJV) And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Even when anger is appropriate we are not to let our anger give Satan the upper hand.
Our insecurities can cause to hate God. For example they can motivate us to ask ourselves what kind of God we serve if He cannot give us what someone else's God gives them. Insecurities about financial status can lead to being deceived by the allure of the prosperity Gospel. The flip side of insecurity is arrogance. Notice that Satan told him to 'command' that the stones be made bread not appeal to the Father for them to be made bread. If Christ was like us He would demand better treatment.
Matthew 4:3(KJV) "And when the tempter came to him, he said, IF thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread".
People that are insecure or arrogant want to see their physical concerns addressed immediately. Christ refused Satan and pointed out that while the word of God included providing for physical needs it had higher priorities. Mankind's problems are spiritual.
The Good Samaritan shows that addressing immediate needs is sometimes the primary concern.
Luke 10:30-37 (KJV) And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
The account in Luke continues to show that on the other hand physical needs are not always critical.
Luke 10: 38-42 (KJV) Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
What Christ explains to Martha strikes at the underlying issue. Providing physical needs is good but it can become a trap that encumbers us from addressing peoples real needs.
Beginning in God's Service
It is only after Christ passed these basic tests that He started God's ministry. This tells me that there are some fundamental qualities in our character that we must demonstrate if we hope to go on from just believing on God to serving Him.
Matthew 4:11-18 (KJV) Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
We can also read Luke to see that all of the things that Satan taunted Christ about were achieved without Christ falling prey to any of the temptations.
He became famous for His signs and healing.
Luke 4:13-14 (KJV) And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.
He became supreme ruler with control of life or death over all other rulers.
Revelation 19:15-21 (KJV) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
He did it all God's way. As Christians we all want to serve God but we need to do it His way. His way involves:
- Not succumbing to pressure and ridicule.
- Not acting to impress men but doing good to fulfil God's will.
- Not trying to prove anything to anybody by signs.
- Never letting or ends justify our means.
These are major failings of modern Christianity and I am sure that we all have our own examples so as we move from Passover to Pentecost where we a presented to serve with Christ we must prove dominance over our evil nature and do as Christ did. We must do it God's way.
Deuteronomy 10:10-16 (KJV) And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee. 11 And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them. 12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? 14 Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. 15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. 16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
