Week 44 – (4 November 2012)

1.

The testing comes strongly at the core of human weakness – the flesh represents human’s self centeredness. The aim is to confuse our identity.

Romans 8:8

8 and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
ASV

Man was created as spiritual beings. As such our identity is in God as spiritual.

2.

The testing introduces falsely the pleasure of being on the top. The aim is to exercise the authority God has given us for self instead of as steward.

Luke 4:5-7

5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.

7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

NKJV

Delegated authority – Man was deceived to believe that he had sole authority when God delegated His authority to him at creation.

Shared authority – as believers, we should not think that the authority Jesus wrestled back for us is solely ours.

3.

The testing deeply deceives that God is on our side. The aim is to distort our view of God.

Luke 4:10-11

10 For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’

11 and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'”

NKJV

God is faithful. We need not desire sign for the proof of His faithfulness.

1.

试探往往来自人类的软弱核心 – 肉体代表人类以自我为中心的心态。目的是要让我们对自己的身份感到迷惑。

罗马书 8:8

8而且属肉体的人，不能得神的喜欢。

人类被造成为属灵的人。所以我们在神里面的身份也是属灵的。

2.

这试探错误的让人感受到高高在上的欢乐。目的是要人为了自己，而不是以仆人的身份运用神所赐给人类的权柄。

路加福音 4:5-7

5魔鬼又领他上了高山，霎时间把天下的万国都指给他看。

6对他说，这一切权柄荣华，我都要给你。因为这原是交付我的，我愿意给谁就给谁。

7你若在我面前下拜，这都要归你。

被委派的权柄 – 人类被蒙蔽并相信当神在创世时所委派的权柄乃是他的专利。

共享的权柄 – 身为信徒，我们不应该认为耶稣为我们争夺的权柄乃是单单属于我们的。

3.

这试探深深地蒙蔽人神乃站在我们这一边。目的是要扭曲我们对神的观点。

路加福音 4:10-11

10因为经上记着说，主要为你吩咐他的使者保护你。

11他们要用手托着你，免得你的脚碰在石头上。

神是信实的。我们无须渴慕迹象来证明神的信实。