THREEFOLD TEMPTATION

Genesis 3:6

September 3, 2014 – Wed. p.m.

 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6)

I- DEVIL’S VARIATION

The Devil’s success in his persuasion of Adam and Eve to rebel against God and His Word in the Garden of Eden is evident why he is up to now using the same variation of strategy for all humanity.

The threefold temptation of Satan appeals to the man’s body, soul, and spirit. In Genesis 3:6, we can see that the Devil first entices to whatever fleshly appetites that is “good for food”, then he touched the emotion’s by something “pleasant to the eyes”, and thirdly to man’s spiritual pride that would “make one wise”.

II- APOSTLE’S VERSION

In I John 2:16, the Apostle John in his book identifies these three temptations namely the “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life”.

Also in James 3:15, the Apostle James describes these three as “earthly, sensual, devilish”.

III- CHRIST’S VICTORY

In Matthew 4, Satan uses his same old threefold temptation that Christ experienced in the wilderness.  First the Devil focuses to satisfy your physical hunger as he states in verse 3, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread”. Then the Devil uses wrong application of the Word by tempting Christ in verse 6 to “Cast thyself down” from the pinnacle of the temple in order to enjoy the wonderful feeling of being assisted up by angels. Thirdly, the Devil offered in verse 9, “All these things I will give thee” without sacrificing at the cross.

Christ victoriously overcomes the test and in each temptation He cites the appropriate verse of the Scriptures. Christ leaves us an example to follow that when we are tempted by the Devil we can draw on His strength and use the Holy Scriptures. Remember the Devil never ever changed his technique so far, and he is still very much active in making each of us disobey the Word of God and the will of God.

Notice the promised in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him”

The Bible assures us in I Corinthians 10:13, “God is Faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it”