Bible Studies in the Gospel of Matthew

Bible Studies in the Gospel of Matthew
IV (III is missing)

Jesus’ temptations. Hebrews 4:15-16: “In all points tempted as we are, yet without sinning” [a Danish translation]. If Christ was not tempted just as we are (Jas. 1:14), then He was not at all tried on each single point as we are. Then everything changes.

But because He was tempted just as we are (Heb. 2:18), we can therefore pray with great boldness for help to overcome and have the best hope of gaining the victory precisely because He was like His brethren in all things, yet without sinning!

When we have laid hold of this faith, there is no reason whatsoever or sense in sinning. Therefore we must never excuse ourselves when we sin, when we fall in temptation. Sinning is bad, but excusing sin is ten times worse. Every individual has to bear his own shame when he sins. He must not have any compassion on his flesh, nothing of “poor me.”

I must faithfully endure in saying, “No, no!” to sin; then death will finally enter. When I faithfully, for a longer period of time without a break, say “No!” to the same temptation, death will enter sooner or later as I continue to walk in the Spirit. In the case of smoking tobacco (for example) death can enter immediately. This death can of course enter on every point. Generally, death of this kind enters very rarely. The reason must be that the person does not see it seriously enough, that he is not faithful.

Unnecessary temptations, 1 Timothy 6:9. Self-inflicted temptations, Galatians 6:1. Notice that it is written, “You who are spiritual . . . .” Only spiritual people, those who live a faithful and victorious life, can help such people; otherwise it can go badly with them.

Matthew 4:1: As soon as you have been blessed, you will be tried. Only tested materials are fit to be used. When we are tested and we fail, we can be thankful that we saw it now, while it is still the time of grace, while there is still opportunity to receive more help so we can do better, so that we can remain standing on the day of testing.

Verse 2: Constant temptations for forty days. He was tempted thousands of times, not just three times! The three temptations that are mentioned in particular took place after Jesus was tempted for forty days. This is clearly written. Neither was He just tempted during these forty days and in Gethsemane, but He was tempted regularly from when He was a little boy until the very end! See Mark 1:35 and Luke 6:12. There He fought as He did in Gethsemane. Hebrews 5:7. See Luke 4:13: Satan departed from Him until an opportune time. He returned in a little while and continued with his temptations.

Verse 3: This temptation pertained to showing off His power and thus quenching His natural longing for avoiding all sufferings. God lets Satan tempt us and harass us. Job 1.

Verse 6: This temptation pertained to honor, being the center of attention, showing off.

Verses 8 and 9: This temptation pertained to power, honor, riches, wantonness, the pride of life, and anxiety. When we are young we hardly know (generally speaking) what anxiety is, but as older people we are often tested a great deal to be anxious. Satan says, “Imagine if you became very old; imagine if you became sick for a long time; imagine this and imagine that.” Then it is vitally important to resist him in the first instant and contemplate such words as: “Do not worry about tomorrow.” “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these [earthly] things shall be added to you.”