Why Did the Devil Tempt Jesus?

[PS95]

It's not that I don't like the answer, it’s that the answer has no Biblical foundation at all. Out of interest, what does being a Christadelphian have to do if whether Jesus pre-existed, or not? Are you a dominationalist? I have been reading the Word of God for approx. 30 years and in that time, I've not seen a shred of evidence to suggest he pre-existed. I understand fully how you force it, that is shown everywhere in this forum.

1:4 who (Jesus) was appointed the Son-of-God-in-power (on what basis?) according to the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 1:4.

Are you suggesting the pre-existent Jesus has been resurrected more than once?

The irony here is found in the Lords words which mean absolutely nothing to you because of what you make him but read carefully!

and the one who lives! I was dead, but look, now I am alive—forever and ever Re 1:18.

Here is the perfect place for Jesus to say "I am ever living, I was dead, but look, now I am alive, for ever and ever!" However, to your disappointment it doesn’t say that, in fact, it states the one who lives now! was dead (completely) and now I am alive forever and ever,

So are Roman 1:4 cmp Rev 1:18 in harmony?

Answer: Yes!

Jesus has life because he was raised!

Jesus is alive now, but was dead, and the point about him living forever and ever makes absolutely no sense to you, because of what you make him - it’s a "so what" point!

The phrase only has power if Jesus was alive, died, raised and now lives for ever more.

Christ is the first fruits of them that sleep; he is the only begotten from the grave!

The True Gospel as I read it is centered on the Life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and not on him being a god.

F2F

You have much to say. Let's keep it simpler.
I asked you about being a Christadelphian because they do not believe that the Word in John 1 was Jesus. Is that your stance as well?

 

[face2face]

You have much to say. Let's keep it simpler.
I asked you about being a Christadelphian because they do not believe that the Word in John 1 was Jesus. Is that your stance as well?

John rightly states Logos became Flesh by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a New Creation of which he is the firstfruits.

Trinitarians can't use John 1 to support their dogma though they try. John 1:14 would have been the place to define the hypostatic union don't you agree? Paul's writings are very clear on his true nature!...it's central to the True Gospel.

Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. Jn 1:14.

It must be hard to hold a doctrine which is nowhere found in the Gospel, but not have a complete picture of the true Gospel.

F2F

 

[Brakelite]

Hi there, Brakelite. I’m a little bit concerned by this sentence. When does Satan ever survive judgment?

He won't. But he is ever the optimist. He sees his only hope now is to physically overcome Christ at the end of the millennium. Hence why there is a picture of the new Jerusalem being surrounded by "Gog and Magog" to destroy it, but they themselves are destroyed. Including Satan.
Satan's persecution of Christ was with the intention to cause Christ to sin. The temptation in the wilderness wasn't the only time he attempted this. Throughout His life, Jesus was tempted to use His own power for selfish purposes, to give up, to despair, to get angry for selfish reasons, etc etc.

 

[face2face]

In order for Satan to survive judgement, he needed Christ to sin.

(head-slap!)
Where do you get this stuff from Brakelite?
What story in the Bible shows you a connection between satan (fallen angel) avoiding judgement if Jesus sinned?
Greek Mythology has replaced the Gospel!
F2F

 

[Aunty Jane]

Oh?

A better question is, how did it fit into God's plan?

(And yes, God's plan takes into account all possible decisions freely made by His creatures.)

Well, the thing is....God doesn’t have a “plan” as such....he has a “purpose”.
It’s like the difference between an itinerary and a destination. An itinerary is a plan of how to get to a destination....but a destination can be arrived at via different routes.

The fact that God knows the future before it happens, allows him to live up to the meaning of his name....”I Will Be What I will Be”......He can “be” or “become” whatever he needs to be in order to fulfill his purpose.

He can guide and direct matters, people and things, so as to arrive at his destination on time.

What is the destination for the human race? It is the restoration of what God purposed in the beginning. He has had to make a detour to arrive there, but it’s all on track and what has been foretold has come to pass....
He does not tell us when.....but we know where we will end up......living forever in a beautiful paradise on earth, having all of God’s creation under our care. Made in God’s image, being given God’s qualities, will make our role here one that we will enjoy forever.

Who doesn’t want to live in paradise....? (Rev 21:2-4)

 

[honeycomb]

Jesus was tempted to use His own power for selfish purposes, to give up, to despair, to get angry for selfish reasons, etc etc.

We disagree, @Brakelite

Jesus was never tempted to use His own power for selfish purposes. Jesus came to be our Savior, to give His life for those who would believe in Him.
Matthew 20:28: "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

There was never any selfishness in Christ. Everything He did was selfless and for our sakes.
2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Petra

 

[PS95]

John rightly states Logos became Flesh by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a New Creation of which he is the firstfruits.

Trinitarians can't use John 1 to support their dogma though they try. John 1:14 would have been the place to define the hypostatic union don't you agree? Paul's writings are very clear on his true nature!...it's central to the True Gospel.

Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. Jn 1:14.

It must be hard to hold a doctrine which is nowhere found in the Gospel, but not have a complete picture of the true Gospel.

F2F

I have no idea what you are blustering about.
If the Word became flesh, then we agree so far.
Yet, you say the Son had no pre-existence. Sooo, WHO became flesh? An it?
I would prefer no blustering this time.

 

[PS95]

We disagree, @Brakelite

Jesus was never tempted to use His own power for selfish purposes. Jesus came to be our Savior, to give His life for those who would believe in Him.
Matthew 20:28: "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

There was never any selfishness in Christ. Everything He did was selfless and for our sakes.
2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

View attachment 48241Petra

Hi Petra,
of course, Jesus was tempted in every way but he never sinned.

"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16

Brakelite isnt saying Jesus was selfish.

 

[PS95]

What is the destination for the human race? It is the restoration of what God purposed in the beginning. He has had to make a detour to arrive there, but it’s all on track and what has been foretold has come to pass....
He does not tell us when.....but we know where we will end up......living forever in a beautiful paradise on earth, having all of God’s creation under our care. Made in God’s image, being given God’s qualities, will make our role here one that we will enjoy forever.

Who doesn’t want to live in paradise....? (Rev 21:2-4)

You seem confused Jane, or did this change?. You forgot about surviving armageddon, cleaning up everyone's dead bodies, living through 1000 years without sinning once, while people still die, and the JW elite rule & Michael in heaven rule over you, right?

 

[Aunty Jane]

We disagree, @Brakelite

Jesus was never tempted to use His own power for selfish purposes. Jesus came to be our Savior, to give His life for those who would believe in Him.
Matthew 20:28: "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

There was never any selfishness in Christ. Everything He did was selfless and for our sakes.
2 Corinthians 8:9: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

View attachment 48241Petra

I believe that you misunderstand……no one is suggesting that Christ was selfish in anything he did, but being sinless does not mean that he was beyond being tempted to abuse his free will.
Satan was a once faithful angel who became self absorbed and desired the worship given to his Creator by these new creatures. He could be a god to them if he played his cards right.
He dwelt on that desire instead of dismissing it. James 1:13-15 highlights the steps that begin with a wrong desire…..which is then turned into action, and the disobedient action, once carried out, will bring about death. All of God’s intelligent creatures are made in God’s image as they all have free will. We determine how to use it, and we are capable through the capacity of imagination, to plan our actions with consequences clearly in mind. Jesus was 100% human, so he also was capable of sinning. (not that he ever did)

Adam and his wife were sinless when they chose to disobey Jehovah…..they knew what the consequences were…..but the devil was careful in his planning, having observed Adam’s reaction to the creation of his mate after being alone for some time, he targeted the woman in order to influence the actions of the man. That’s why Adam is responsible for the fall in Eden…..he had it within his power to save us from what the devil had done to his wife, but he chose to join her, and we then became the victims of sin and death as an awful inheritance. (Rom 5:12)

The reason why Jesus is called “the last Adam” (1 Cor 15:45) is because he came to give us back what the first Adam took away….everlasting life in paradise. He gave his life so that God’s first purpose for us humans could go ahead unhindered. By reading Genesis and seeing what they lost, we can understand that the incredible life they forfeited, was not one that was ever experienced by anyone but them….and only for such a short time.

The devil tempted Jesus because he knew what was at stake in the exchange that was to take place.
Christ’s death would end Satan’s rulership of the flawed human race, and he would no longer be the god of so many (2 Cor 4:3-4) in a multitude of different faiths.…Christian and non-Christian. All false worship goes to the devil by default.

This false god can “blind the minds” of his worshippers and make them believe that the worship that they are unwittingly giving him, is going to the true God, but in their disunity they fail to see that none of their efforts to worship God acceptably can deviate from the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Christendom‘s many adherents fail to see that all their core doctrines are based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic church….none of them are based on the Bible…..they are just made to appear to be so. ‘Blinded minds’ will not see it because they don’t want to.

So at the end of this exercise, where mankind are being judged and separated on the basis of what they believe and why they believe it, hearts are being evaluated, and the right ones “drawn” by God to His Truth…..others will be left to their own delusions because that is what they have chosen. At the end of the day…God chooses us as much as we might think we choose him. (John 6:44, 65)

 

[PS95]

This false god can “blind the minds” of his worshippers and make them believe that the worship that they are unwittingly giving him, is going to the true God, but in their disunity they fail to see that none of their efforts to worship God acceptably can deviate from the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Christendom‘s many adherents fail to see that all their core doctrines are based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic church….none of them are based on the Bible…..they are just made to appear to be so. ‘Blinded minds’ will not see it because they don’t want to.

So at the end of this exercise, where mankind are being judged and separated on the basis of what they believe and why they believe it, hearts are being evaluated, and the right ones “drawn” by God to His Truth…..others will be left to their own delusions because that is what they have chosen. At the end of the day…God chooses us as much as we might think we choose him. (John 6:44, 65)

Few people can discern what you mean when you say things, jane. Allow me to interpret--

This false god can “blind the minds” of his worshippers and make them believe that the worship that they are unwittingly giving him, is going to the true God, but in their disunity they fail to see that none of their efforts to worship God acceptably can deviate from the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Christendom‘s many adherents fail to see that all their core doctrines are based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic church….none of them are based on the Bible…..they are just made to appear to be so. ‘Blinded minds’ will not see it because they don’t want to.

What Jane is saying here is that if you are a Christian, and not a JW, then YOU are worshipping satan.
Period, end of discussion.

-That is the teaching of Jws.

 

[Brakelite]

(head-slap!)
Where do you get this stuff from Brakelite?
What story in the Bible shows you a connection between satan (fallen angel) avoiding judgement if Jesus sinned?
Greek Mythology has replaced the Gospel!
F2F

I am speaking from the perspective of what Satan may have been thinking, not from what will necessarily take place. Let me take you through it step by step
In Eden, Satan was told directly by God that there would come a Savior for mankind. This Savior would crush Satan, but in the process would be bruised.
Satan knew Who Jesus was. The Son of God, even Satan's (Lucifer) own Creator. He was acting under one motive only. Survival. Remember the demons who were cast out of so many people during Christ's ministry? What did they say? "We know Who you are! Have you come to destroy us before our time?" All the fallen angels knew that eventually they were to be destroyed. Satan wants to live. So in order to live his only recourse is to destroy the one who has been given the responsibility of judgement. The Son. If he had gotten Jesus to sin, the Father would have had no choice but to leave His own Son in the grave. A death with no resurrection. As such as we would suffer of Christ had failed.
The earth would have remained in Satan's hands, and mankind his subjects. His intention is to build an army to take God's throne.
Rev.20:7-9

 

[Brakelite]

We disagree, @Brakelite

May I ask who you are speaking for? We?

Brakelite isnt saying Jesus was selfish.

Quite right. Sin itself is the expression of selfishness. Temptation is not sin until you succumb to it.

 

[Aunty Jane]

May I ask who you are speaking for? We?

We could ask a few people on here who they are speaking for? Those horribly misinformed are going to twist everything to suit their own agenda. They are not averse to lying through their teeth...just in case we might make sense to some....
We know that satan has the majority, (Matt 7:13-14) so if they speak for the majority....

The desperation is very telling....pathetic actually. No opportunity is missed to promote their “Christianity” as if it can’t be wrong......what are they afraid of? The truth?

Jesus will let us all know soon enough....apparently they want him to vindicate them now, just like the Pharisees wanted to make Jesus go away because some people were actually listening to him....can’t have that now, can we? People can’t be left to make up their own minds.....they must be simpletons who can only be allowed their version of the truth.....so focussed on what others are doing that they forget that they will be judged as they judge others.....that’s only fair.
And if John 6:44 & 65 are correct....no one can come to the son without an invitation from his Father anyway.
Again what are they afraid of? Will some sneak in uninvited?

 

[Brakelite]

Jesus was never tempted to use His own power for selfish purposes.

Actually, every one of those temptations in the wilderness was designed to entice Jesus to be selfish.
KJV Matthew 4:3, 5-6, 8-9
3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Jesus was hungry. To use His power to feed Himself was to take His eyes off His Father. It would have been an expression of distrust in His Father's love and provision. Note that angels came and ministered to Him later.
5 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.
Here the temptation was to selfishly presume on the promises of God in order to make a name for Himself. To gain notoriety. To prove His identity.
8 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.
"You are presumably the King of kings. But look at your kingdom!! You have no land, no subjects, and not even your family believe in you. Here, let me help. All this is mine. You can have it all , just accept second place, and I'll make your day".

 

[Hobie]

Why Did the Devil Tempt Jesus?​

It's what he does.

The temptations of Jesus reveals some interesting ways that we need to do in our lives as we see in how Christ responded, He knew the truth and used it to turn aside Satans deception. Jesus was offered the kingdoms of this world if He would only worship and join Satan in his struggle against God. Jesus, however, remained loyal to the Father. We need to understand this test as we shall see it our lives against us.

 

[CC7799]

Satan tried to tell Jesus what to do. It didn't go over very well. Luke chapter 11 or 10 .
Christian people have power over Satan and evil spirits in name of Jesus. We order them away from us.

Satan wants to be Messiah. His pride rotted away his heart. Hes pure Evil. Ezekiel chapter 28.

Who are satans cheer leaders ???

Reprobates.
False shepherd's

They have unclesn Spirit. They don't have holy Spirit.

Gain Sayers and heretic's serve Satan. They try to distort Gods word and cause division. Documentation, Titus chapter 3.

Satan has different tactics.
Temptation
Fear
Harrassment
Lust.
Lying
Deception
Subversion

Its written in Corinthians, we're not ignorant of satans devices.

Jesus is the boss

Satan is loser all the way.

Peace.

 

[Jack]

No one does things for no reason…..there had to be a pay off.
God did not create the devil….he is self-made…..so why did he make himself a devil? (slanderer) and satan? (resister/ adversary) if there was nothing in it for him…..? The stakes were high…..what did he want that was worth giving up his life?

The devil created himself? lol

Sounds like WatchTower doctrine! What's next Aunty? God created Himself?

 

[Jack]

Paul's writings are very clear on his true nature!...

Yeah!

Col 1 By Jesus all things were created!

Jesus is God the Creator.

 

[Keiw]

No, it was much much more than that. Jesus overcame on our behalf. He walked over the same ground than man falls on, and overcame, showing that by grace and in His strength, we also can overcome.
And in the words of one wise lady...
Of all the lessons to be learned from our Lord’s first great temptation none is more important than that bearing upon the control of the appetites and passions. In all ages, temptations appealing to the physical nature have been most effectual in corrupting and degrading mankind.
If we have in any sense a more trying conflict than had Christ, then He would not be able to succor us. But our Saviour took humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. We have nothing to bear which He has not endured.

In order for Satan to survive judgement, he needed Christ to sin. If He had sinned, even in meer thought, humanity would have been lost. Today, Satan cannot reach Christ, but he can touch His heart by destroying His people through temptation and sin. But we will always have a choice. Either trust in God's promises to strengthen us to overcome and stay faithful... Or trust in ourselves and think we can do life on our own. But Jesus said, "without Me ye can do nothing". And "in Christ we can do all things".

Satan and his angels have already been judged to destruction in the lake of fire. No matter what Jesus did.