Sometimes what appears to be an opportunity is actually a trap.  

 

Opportunity or Trap?

 

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 

3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 

6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:  “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

 

The nature of temptation is to appear deceptively as a good opportunity.  

 

Temptation #1:  

Turn stones to bread to feed yourself

Turn to physical gratification instead of relying on God for satisfaction.  

 

Temptation #2:  

Throw yourself down to prove yourself 

Build yourself up with pride and performance instead of trusting in God’s plan.  

 

Temptation #3:  

You can have the best of both worlds.

You should trade God’s best for the world’s best counterfeit.  

 

Tests for Discernment:

1.  Scripture Test:  Does it align with God’s Word?  

2.  Prayer Test:  Have you sought God’s guidance through prayer?

3.  Counsel Test:  Have you sought godly counsel?

4.  Motives Test:  What is your primary motivation in the situation?

5.  Purpose Test:  Does it lead to accomplishing God’s purposes or away from them?

6.  Priorities Test:  Does it promote God’s priorities for your life?  

7.  Values Test:  Does it involve compromising God’s kingdom values for worldly gain?

8.  Power Test:  Does it involve misusing your power for personal gain?

9.  Identity Test:  Does it involve compromising your God’ given identity?

10.  Timing Test:  Does it promote immediate gratification or God’s plan and timing?

 

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

Matthew 4:11  Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.