Day 3: Temptation

If you were wondering, I wasn't napping on the mountain top, life just got in the way.  I had this post written out in my notes, but just haven't had time to post it here.  Today's mountain is from Matthew 4:8  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.’ ” 

Since we start off with the word "Again" we know that this is not the first time the devil tempted Jesus, in fact it was the third time.  This story takes place right after the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, and the voice of God declaring that Jesus was His Son.  Jesus leaves and fasts for 40 days and 40 nights (geeze 40 days sounds so familiar)  and the devil tempts  him by saying - "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” but Jesus answers with  "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.".  Jesus had faith that God would provide for Him.  Then the devil tries to tempt Him by taking him to the highest spot in the Holy City and saying  "If you are the Son of God, 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”  But Jesus answers with, It is also written, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."  Now God test us from time to time, but to test God means that really, you don't have faith.  And now lastly, from our mountain the temptation of POWER to have everything, but the catch is to worship the devil but Jesus again counters with ...it is written  "Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." 

Jesus defeated the devil, defeated temptation by a means offered to each and everyone of us; and that is by the thoughtful and intelligent use of the Word of God.  Each answer of Jesus was a scripture from the old testament, scriptures Jesus had memorized.  I guess that's why so many people say to memorize scripture, but I have a hard time remembering what I did today let alone a lot of scriptures, but the Bible is usually pretty handy at my house, one only has to open it for answers.  What's your temptation?  and what does the Bible say to help counter it.. If you cannot find anything specific I leave you with his last scripture that helps us deal with temptation.

From 1 Corinthians 10:13

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.