Why Did the Devil Tempt Jesus?

[Aunty Jane]

From another thread…..@1stCenturyLady

Don't you think that there has to be something more to Jesus seeing as He is the only man that was actually conceived by the seed of God? That was why He never sinned even though the devil threw everything at Him to tempt Him. He never took the bait.

Do we never ask why the devil, who knew who this “son of God“ was before he became Jesus the man, but even so, tried to tempt him into disobedience by putting selfish desires ahead of obedience to his God and Father?
This is how the devil created himself. Like all intelligent beings he was given free will, which facilitates choices. Jesus had free will too.…and even though he was not a victim of Adam’s sin, he could still have chosen to abuse his free will.

What would satan have accomplished if Jesus had given in to his human desires instead of standing firm in his resolve to remain obedient to his mission? Jesus was fully human or he could not have served his role as redeemer.

Jesus had to be the exact equivalent of Adam in order to pay the price of redemption regarding Adam’s children. Jesus paid the price demanded to free Adam’s descendants from their inheritance of sin and death. (Rom 5:12) He had to be a 100% mortal human to do so. If he was an immortal, he could not die.

He had the weight of the entire human race on his shoulders and it would have been unthinkable for him to indulge any notion of selfishness……in this Jesus and the devil were in diametrically opposite camps.
Both were “sons of God”…..but in different corners of a fight….different sides of a battle.

There was only ever going to be one winner…..but the evil one was not going to be permitted to ‘do his thing’ without purpose. God could have vaporized all the rebels and been done with them, but the challenges and accusations raised by the devil, had to be addressed once and for all…otherwise there was nothing to stop this happening again and again……it was not God’s power on the line here…but his Universal Sovereignty that was challenged.

This tempter was then going to be used to test the human race and Satan’s fellow angels as to their loyalty and devotion to their Creator. And in doing so he would force both humankind and the angels to make decisions that would show the the condition of their heart and the depth of the love they had for their rightful Sovereign Creator.

Once this test is carried out to its intended conclusion, then with all tried and tested, (both humans and angels) and separated out into their two camps, God will dispatch the disobedient ones, and reward the obedient ones……because this is, was, and always will be, the difference between good and evil.

Obedience means doing as the Creator commands in the full understanding that he withholds nothing good from his obedient children, and he has no place in his kingdom for those who think they can do as they please. All God has ever demanded from his ‘children’ is obedience. If the first humans had simply obeyed that one simple command in the garden, none of what transpired after that would have taken place. Humans would be enjoying their paradise home here forever. (Gen 3:22-24)

Jehovah’s Sovereignty is all that matters, and his free willed creatures will have proven, like his precious son, that nothing will dissuade them from serving their God in any way he asks…they know him and love him for who he is and imitate his Christ in all that they do.
Love among themselves will identify them…..(John 13:34-35) And they will even love their enemies (Matt 5:43-44) Who demonstrates such love?

 

[face2face]

From another thread…..@1stCenturyLady

Do we never ask why the devil, who knew who this “son of God“ was before he became Jesus the man, but even so, tried to tempt him into disobedience by putting selfish desires ahead of obedience to his God and Father?

Two assumtions here Aunty
1. The devil is a fallen angel, which has yet to be proven in this forum
2. Jesus pre-existed, which is also yet to be proven in this forum

I know you wont appreciate me saying this, but its important for all readers to acknowledge that everything which is said from here down is established on two unproven assumptions, notions if you will which the Word of God provides zero clarity on.

This is how the devil created himself.

Right, and coming from someone I know has a high degree of Biblical integrity I would think this third assumption would come with a reference!

Like all intelligent beings he was given free will,

Wow Aunty, a forth assumption - no-one in this forum has or can prove angels have free will! All the verses in Scripture suggest they only ever do the will of God in Heaven! “You mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!” Read Psalm 103

which facilitates choices. Jesus had free will too.…

Because he was "born of a woman" the Son of David after the flesh Romans 1! The Gospel with a capital G.

and even though he was not a victim of Adam’s sin, he could still have chosen to abuse his free will.

No way Aunty you didnt just do that! The whole entire Biblical Story is the fall of man on earth and you would have God's Realm in derision. Heaven is always a place of order....the Lord's prayer should teach you that!

What would satan have accomplished if Jesus had given in to his human desires instead of standing firm in his resolve to remain obedient to his mission? Jesus was fully human or he could not have served his role as redeemer.

The warfare is the nature of man, carnal flesh...Christ knowing what was in man because he understood the death he should suffer in putting an end to the condemnation and the dominion of flesh in the earth. Com'on Aunty you know your Bible better than this!

Jesus had to be the exact equivalent of Adam in order to pay the price of redemption regarding Adam’s children.

In nature identical which is why Paul calls him the second Adam in 1 Corinth 15:45

Jesus paid the price demanded to free Adam’s descendants from their inheritance of sin and death. (Rom 5:12)

Actually it was to remove / destroy / have victoty over the Law of Sin & Death in his nature! Rom 6:1-3; Romans 6:9; Hebrews 2:14-17

He had to be a 100% mortal human to do so. If he was an immortal, he could not die.

Truth, finally truth!

He had the weight of the entire human race on his shoulders and it would have been unthinkable for him to indulge any notion of selfishness……in this Jesus and the devil were in diametrically opposite camps.

If you believe this nonsense Aunty; you have scales over your eyes! Where is this creature given any chapter in the Bible? Where is this Fallen Angel story which you have constructed all these notions from, please show me!

Jehovah’s Sovereignty is all that matters, and his free willed creatures will have proven, like his precious son, that nothing will dissuade them from serving their God in any way he asks…they know him and love him for who he is and imitate his Christ in all that they do.

Yahwehs Sovereignty has been removed if one of His Divine Angels in possession of His Divine Nature and is Him in Being and substance is running round at will messing with a planet which has been cursed and is suffering under the burden of sin and you say God has sovereignity?

How could Christ pray such? Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth AS it is in heaven. Matt 6:10

F2F

 

[honeycomb]

Do we never ask why the devil, who knew who this “son of God“ was before he became Jesus the man, but even so, tried to tempt him into disobedience by putting selfish desires ahead of obedience to his God and Father?

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Hi, Aunty Jane
It was meant for Jesus to be tempted by the tempter from the start, I believe. Following His baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit led Jesus to the place of temptation. Why? I think to show us that we too, as His followers, will be tempted by Satan. Christ was victorious over Satan, and in Him, we can be too.

Petra

 

[Hobie]

From another thread…..@1stCenturyLady

Do we never ask why the devil, who knew who this “son of God“ was before he became Jesus the man, but even so, tried to tempt him into disobedience by putting selfish desires ahead of obedience to his God and Father?
This is how the devil created himself. Like all intelligent beings he was given free will, which facilitates choices. Jesus had free will too.…and even though he was not a victim of Adam’s sin, he could still have chosen to abuse his free will.

What would satan have accomplished if Jesus had given in to his human desires instead of standing firm in his resolve to remain obedient to his mission? Jesus was fully human or he could not have served his role as redeemer.

Jesus had to be the exact equivalent of Adam in order to pay the price of redemption regarding Adam’s children. Jesus paid the price demanded to free Adam’s descendants from their inheritance of sin and death. (Rom 5:12) He had to be a 100% mortal human to do so. If he was an immortal, he could not die.

He had the weight of the entire human race on his shoulders and it would have been unthinkable for him to indulge any notion of selfishness……in this Jesus and the devil were in diametrically opposite camps.
Both were “sons of God”…..but in different corners of a fight….different sides of a battle.

There was only ever going to be one winner…..but the evil one was not going to be permitted to ‘do his thing’ without purpose. God could have vaporized all the rebels and been done with them, but the challenges and accusations raised by the devil, had to be addressed once and for all…otherwise there was nothing to stop this happening again and again……it was not God’s power on the line here…but his Universal Sovereignty that was challenged.

This tempter was then going to be used to test the human race and Satan’s fellow angels as to their loyalty and devotion to their Creator. And in doing so he would force both humankind and the angels to make decisions that would show the the condition of their heart and the depth of the love they had for their rightful Sovereign Creator.

Once this test is carried out to its intended conclusion, then with all tried and tested, (both humans and angels) and separated out into their two camps, God will dispatch the disobedient ones, and reward the obedient ones……because this is, was, and always will be, the difference between good and evil.

Obedience means doing as the Creator commands in the full understanding that he withholds nothing good from his obedient children, and he has no place in his kingdom for those who think they can do as they please. All God has ever demanded from his ‘children’ is obedience. If the first humans had simply obeyed that one simple command in the garden, none of what transpired after that would have taken place. Humans would be enjoying their paradise home here forever. (Gen 3:22-24)

Jehovah’s Sovereignty is all that matters, and his free willed creatures will have proven, like his precious son, that nothing will dissuade them from serving their God in any way he asks…they know him and love him for who he is and imitate his Christ in all that they do.
Love among themselves will identify them…..(John 13:34-35) And they will even love their enemies (Matt 5:43-44) Who demonstrates such love?

Ah Aunty, you cannot set aside that He was born of a woman so He did carry all that came from Adam including his propensities and weaknesses. He was tempted just as we are on all points and yet did not sin, we cannot put that aside as Gods Word is clear on that..

 

[PS95]

From another thread…..@1stCenturyLady

Do we never ask why the devil, who knew who this “son of God“ was before he became Jesus the man, but even so, tried to tempt him into disobedience by putting selfish desires ahead of obedience to his God and Father?
This is how the devil created himself. Like all intelligent beings he was given free will, which facilitates choices. Jesus had free will too.…and even though he was not a victim of Adam’s sin, he could still have chosen to abuse his free will.

What would satan have accomplished if Jesus had given in to his human desires instead of standing firm in his resolve to remain obedient to his mission? Jesus was fully human or he could not have served his role as redeemer.

Jesus had to be the exact equivalent of Adam in order to pay the price of redemption regarding Adam’s children. Jesus paid the price demanded to free Adam’s descendants from their inheritance of sin and death. (Rom 5:12) He had to be a 100% mortal human to do so. If he was an immortal, he could not die.

He had the weight of the entire human race on his shoulders and it would have been unthinkable for him to indulge any notion of selfishness……in this Jesus and the devil were in diametrically opposite camps.
Both were “sons of God”…..but in different corners of a fight….different sides of a battle.

There was only ever going to be one winner…..but the evil one was not going to be permitted to ‘do his thing’ without purpose. God could have vaporized all the rebels and been done with them, but the challenges and accusations raised by the devil, had to be addressed once and for all…otherwise there was nothing to stop this happening again and again……it was not God’s power on the line here…but his Universal Sovereignty that was challenged.

This tempter was then going to be used to test the human race and Satan’s fellow angels as to their loyalty and devotion to their Creator. And in doing so he would force both humankind and the angels to make decisions that would show the the condition of their heart and the depth of the love they had for their rightful Sovereign Creator.

Once this test is carried out to its intended conclusion, then with all tried and tested, (both humans and angels) and separated out into their two camps, God will dispatch the disobedient ones, and reward the obedient ones……because this is, was, and always will be, the difference between good and evil.

Obedience means doing as the Creator commands in the full understanding that he withholds nothing good from his obedient children, and he has no place in his kingdom for those who think they can do as they please. All God has ever demanded from his ‘children’ is obedience. If the first humans had simply obeyed that one simple command in the garden, none of what transpired after that would have taken place. Humans would be enjoying their paradise home here forever. (Gen 3:22-24)

Jehovah’s Sovereignty is all that matters, and his free willed creatures will have proven, like his precious son, that nothing will dissuade them from serving their God in any way he asks…they know him and love him for who he is and imitate his Christ in all that they do.
Love among themselves will identify them…..(John 13:34-35) And they will even love their enemies (Matt 5:43-44) Who demonstrates such love?

Hebrews says Jesus was not an angel many times. Teach the bible TRUTHS or dont teach it at all.
Jesus died for OUR sins- not just Adam's sin. READ THE SCRIPTURES and put down your WATCHTOWER MAGS.

 

[PS95]

Ah Aunty, you cannot set aside that He was born of a woman so He did carry all that came from Adam including his propensities and weaknesses. He was tempted just as we are on all points and yet did not sin, we cannot put that aside as Gods Word is clear on that..

BIBLE SAYS WHAT?

Dear Jehovahs Witnesses, Christians are constantly accused about teachings that you say are not in the bible. Your turn. .............WHERE DOES THE BIBLE SAY any of this ? "He had to become a perfect man and yet not lose his continuity of life. His life-force was not to be extinguished but...

www.christianityboard.com

Read the first few posts of JW quotes. none of it makes a lick of sense nor is it biblical.

 

[PS95]

2. Jesus pre-existed, which is also yet to be proven in this forum

That has been proven time and time again. You dont like the answer is all. Are you a Christadelphian by any chance?

 

[Aunty Jane]

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Hi, Aunty Jane
It was meant for Jesus to be tempted by the tempter from the start, I believe. Following His baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit led Jesus to the place of temptation. Why? I think to show us that we too, as His followers, will be tempted by Satan. Christ was victorious over Satan, and in Him, we can be too.

View attachment 48116Petra

On the night of his arrest Jesus told Simon Peter….”Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have all of you to sift you as wheat.”….so yes, it was Satan’s intention to provide the “sifting” in the form of persecution and tests of their faith. After Peter heard the rooster crow, we can only imagine how low he must have felt….but after his resurrection, Jesus gave Peter responsibilities to show him that he was forgiven, and that God valued his good qualities, not holding those moments of human weakness against him.

Can we imagine the gall of this once faithful angel, who knowingly tried to overreach the son of God and thwart his mission?
Adam and Eve were sinless, yet he had succeeded with them….for his own selfish purpose. He managed to separate the first sinless humans from their Sovereign by lying to them, and planting seeds of doubt, leading them into his trap. He wanted worship and deceived them into giving it to him. We can see the very same tactics he used on Jesus.....and indeed all humans, to induce disobedience and take for himself what rightfully belongs only to God.

Do we see that each human was offered something that required a deliberate choice? Eve was tempted in a completely different way to Adam. She knew the rule, but the devil made God out to be a tyrant who was withholding something to which they were entitled, so he appealed to her first because she was new and inexperienced...an easier target.

Adam OTOH, was tempted by his wife. His reasons for taking the fruit were not the same as hers. She is not the one blamed for the death of the human race....it was Adam who was “not deceived” (1 Tim 2:13) who took us there by not wanting to be separated from his wife....he chose to join her in rebellion, and took the whole human race down with him. (Rom 5:12) A different decision on his part would have changed the course of human history.

To entrap Jesus would have ruined God’s rescue mission and failed to redeem those whom satan had managed to infect with inherited sin. This again, would have changed the course of human history.

The difference between a sinful human and a sinless one is that for the sinless humans, there was no reason or ‘excuse’ to sin.....so there was nothing and no one to blame but themselves......and therefore no redemption is possible for them. Each blamed someone else. Eve blamed the serpent....and Adam blamed God for giving him the woman! Who did satan have to blame? Who do the rebel angels have to blame for following satan?

Those who were born with inherited sin were an easy target for the devil, but without sin there are no ‘hooks’ as it were. Satan has to work much harder to succeed. Jesus would have been the recipient of all his barbs. Jehovah had to guard his precious son and to strengthen him for those assaults so that he could carry out his difficult mission. Jesus in turn strengthened his apostles for the same reason. They would be targets too....but easier ones.

Remember that the devil tried to get Jesus put to death as an infant, sending the magi to Herod who hatched a plot to destroy any future “King of the Jews”. Jehovah made sure that no harm came to him, so that his mission to redeem mankind would succeed. He even sent angels to minister to him and to strengthen him for the agonising death he would have to endure.

How grateful we are that his success rescued all who put faith in him and who obey his teachings. The devil will go down, and so will all whom he can deceive......those who have fallen for his false religions and especially his counterfeit “Christianity”. (Matt 7:21-23)

 

[Aunty Jane]

Ah Aunty, you cannot set aside that He was born of a woman so He did carry all that came from Adam including his propensities and weaknesses. He was tempted just as we are on all points and yet did not sin, we cannot put that aside as Gods Word is clear on that..

Who put anything aside? Read my post again and see that your response has not addressed what I said.
Jesus had no ‘propensities’ or ‘weaknesses’ that were not normal for humans. He proved worthy of the trust that his Father placed in him to rescue Adam’s now defective children, by offering his sinless life for theirs. He volunteered to die instead of us. (Gal 3:13) Yet death continues to hound us.....Christ’s rescue mission therefore involves a resurrection....a restoration of the life we might lose now. How many ways are there to die? Jesus’ sacrifice will end them all.

Jesus had free will, just like the first humans did. They chose to disobey their Creator because of circumstances created by a rebel spirit, who took away the penalty and told Eve that they could live forever without obeying God. “You surely will not die” is still believed by those who accept the teaching of an immortal soul........the Bible makes no mention of that. (Eccl 9:5,10) Souls are entirely mortal. (Ezek 18:4)

Jesus remained faithful in spite of the circumstances created by satan. He did so by his own choices....we can too, if we love God more than we love ourselves. He can give us both the will and the power to resist the devil’s temptations. (Phil 2:13)

 

[Hobie]

Who put anything aside? Read my post again and see that your response has not addressed what I said.
Jesus had no ‘propensities’ or ‘weaknesses’ that were not normal for humans. He proved worthy of the trust that his Father placed in him to rescue Adam’s now defective children, by offering his sinless life for theirs. He volunteered to die instead of us. (Gal 3:13) Yet death continues to hound us.....Christ’s rescue mission therefore involves a resurrection....a restoration of the life we might lose now. How many ways are there to die? Jesus’ sacrifice will end them all.

Jesus had free will, just like the first humans did. They chose to disobey their Creator because of circumstances created by a rebel spirit, who took away the penalty and told Eve that they could live forever without obeying God. “You surely will not die” is still believed by those who accept the teaching of an immortal soul........the Bible makes no mention of that. (Eccl 9:5,10) Souls are entirely mortal. (Ezek 18:4)

Jesus remained faithful in spite of the circumstances created by satan. He did so by his own choices....we can too, if we love God more than we love ourselves. He can give us both the will and the power to resist the devil’s temptations. (Phil 2:13)

I am glad you cleared that up as others saw it just as quickly as I did, so it did appear that was your view. I have this feeling we will see each other in the kingdom despite the differences in our understanding of the truth as you are fearless in your strive for it. God must do the rest in His mercy and grace...

 

[Aunty Jane]

I am glad you cleared that up as others saw it just as quickly as I did, so it did appear that was your view. I have this feeling we will see each other in the kingdom despite the differences in our understanding of the truth as you are fearless in your strive for it. God must do the rest in His mercy and grace...

Jehovah has appointed his judge and it will indeed be interesting to see whom Christ accepts as his own, and whom he rejects as those he “never knew”......the things is, none of us will know until then, because God is not one to be swayed by a label that we wear. It’s what is in the heart and whether one is “drawn” by God and a love for the truth, or repelled by it, because of loving the lies. (John 6:44, 2 Thess 2:9-12)

At the end of the day, no one can come to the son without an invitation from his Father. (John 6:65)

 

[Lambano]

Why Did the Devil Tempt Jesus?​

It's what he does.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Why Did the Devil Tempt Jesus?​

It's what he does.

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?

 

[face2face]

That has been proven time and time again. You dont like the answer is all. Are you a Christadelphian by any chance?

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

 

[Lambano]

God did not create the devil….he is self-made

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.)

 

[honeycomb]

Why Did the Devil Tempt Jesus?​

It's what he does.

Amen. The devil has many titles, and one if them is “the tempter.” He tempts people to sin.

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

- Matthew 4:3

Petra

 

[Lambano]

I was really just amusing myself, but I (ironically) couldn't resist the temptation of Auntie's "the devil is a self-created entity" comment. Especially in light of some literature speculating that Satan considers himself to be co-eternal with God.

That temptation vignette looks like just a strategic opening probe into Jesus's mindset and capabilities.

 

[honeycomb]

I was really just amusing myself, but I (ironically) couldn't resist the temptation of Auntie's "the devil is a self-created entity" comment. Especially in light of some literature speculating that Satan considers himself to be co-eternal with God.

That temptation vignette looks like just a strategic opening probe into Jesus's mindset and capabilities.

Yes, Satan the devil, the man of sin, will ultimately come as the antichrist, claiming to be God. Woe upon him because Jesus will clobber him good!

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

Petra

 

[Brakelite]

That temptation vignette looks like just a strategic opening probe into Jesus's mindset and capabilities.

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".

 

[honeycomb]

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

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