Christian Living

---

The same three avenues of temptation exist today as they did in the Garden. The old serpent said to Eve, "Take a good long look at the beautiful fruit on that tree." And she did. (Lust of the eye) The devil said, "Go ahead, eat." But she protested that God had warned against it. The devil assured her that not only would she not die but would become as wise as God. Double whammy! And she was hungry, so she ate. (Lust of the flesh) And wise as God? (Pride of life)

Fast forward many millenia to Jesus coming up out of the waters of baptism to begin His ministry. The devil took Him out into the desert for forty days of fasting. Then he said, "Command these stones to become bread." But Jesus countered with, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God." (Lust of the flesh, hunger, defeated) Then the devil took Jesus to a high mountain where all the glittering kingdoms of the earth could be seen. And he offered, "All of these will I give you (and they are mine to give) if you will fall down and worship me." But Jesus said, "You shall worship God and Him alone shall you serve." (Lust of the eye, power, defeated)
And finally to the pinnacle of the temple where the devil said, "Jump! God has promised angels will keep you from stubbing your toe. Try Him; see if He can do it!") But Jesus said, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God." (Pride of life, defeated by faith)

Remarkable contrast: same plot; different ending. It worked in the Garden, and mankind fell. It didn't work with the Son of God, and we are mercifully given another chance.

The same three avenues of temptation are the devil's best ploy in our world today. We have graphic illustrations of both scenarios and how they end. We are without excuse.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE