Does Anyone Understand Why I Do The Things I Do?
Hebrews 4:15-16
Before I begin to explain why we do the things we do. I want to share some definitions to a few words, this will give us proper understanding.
Tempt = to try and make a person do something; appeal strongly; attract; provoke
Tempter = the devil; the enemy; satan
Tempting = alluring; inviting
Temptation = to do something you’re attracted to that you know is wrong
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but ONE who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
What does this mean that we do not have a high priest? First understand that JESUS is The High Priest. Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, HE had to be made like HIS brethren in all things, so that HE might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to GOD, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
JESUS was tempted in all things. Oh really, you may be thinking, I am tempted by addiction which can be anything to everything, so I will not label anyone thing. Let’s look first at how Eve was tempted before we look at how JESUS was tempted. I want us to see how the enemy has not changed his role in the attack. He may change the words but the meaning is still the same, he has an ever changing cast but the plot is still the same.
Genesis 3:1-6 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD GOD had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has GOD said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, GOD has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it or you will die.” The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! “For GOD knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like GOD, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
Okay, I’ve shown you how Eve was tempted but let’s go back further. I want you to understand what was actually said between GOD and Adam.
Genesis 2:16-17 The LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”
Now we see just what GOD commanded Adam. So what went wrong? Does anyone understand why I do the things I do?
Let’s look at the following errors with Eve.
- A beast spoke
- GOD did not say “or touch it”
- Eve did not mention a particular tree, yet the enemy referred to the fact that she will know good and evil.
- The tree of life was also in the middle of the garden, Gen. 2:9 why didn’t the enemy make reference to that tree?
- Eve saw, which means she gazed long enough for her imagination to take over. The fruit became alluring; attractive and inviting. Eve desired the fruit, Eve wished for the fruit, Eve thought that the fruit was worth having, the fruit was pleasing and good. Eve’s lust was so strong it became real to her because she could actually see and taste for herself the fruit.
Now let’s get back to JESUS. The enemy spoke to JESUS as well, however notice that JESUS did not engage him in conversation as Eve had.
Matthew 4:1-11, Then JESUS was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after HE had fasted forty days and forty nights, HE then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to HIM, “If YOU are the SON of GOD, command that these stones become bread.” But HE answered and said, “It is written, Deut 8:3 Man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of GOD.’” Then the devil took HIM into the holy city and had HIM stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to HIM, “If YOU are the SON of GOD, throw YOURSELF down; for it is written, Psalm 91:11-12 HE will command HIS angels concerning YOU; and ‘on their hands they will bear YOU up, so that YOU will not strike YOUR foot against a stone.” JESUS said to him, “it is written, Deut 6:16 You shall not put the LORD your GOD to the test.” Again, the devil took HIM to a very high mountain and showed HIM all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to HIM, “All these things I will give YOU, if YOU fall down and worship me.” Then JESUS said to him, “Go, satan! For it is written, Deut 6:13; 10:20 You shall worship the LORD your GOD, and serve HIM only.” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to HIM.
In the above scripture it is found errors made by the enemy.
- The enemy tried to make JESUS question who HE really is, why is HE alone and hungry. Notice: If YOU are the SON of GOD. When you are in a wilderness experience you are alone and it’s a lonely situation and or place to the point where you will lose your mind. JESUS had not eaten, HE had not had anything to drink and HE was alone of human companionship. The enemy challenged JESUS to prove who HE is.
- The enemy tried again to make JESUS question who HE is, and to test if GOD would allow any harm to come to HIS SON.
- The enemy tried to play on what JESUS is familiar with, living in full luxury and now without anything, so he thought.
Notice that each time the enemy said anything to JESUS about something that he knew JESUS was struggling with JESUS came back with The Word. JESUS struggled with being lonely of human companionship, being hungry and thirsty yet in HIS most weakest state, when HE began to remember being with HIS DAD and the good life. JESUS remained faithful! Then the angels came to minister to HIM, with feeding HIM and giving HIM some water.
Sometimes the enemy will quote the scriptures accurately, however, are you prepared to counter attack with another scripture. Most are not. Never allow the enemy to make you question who you are in CHRIST JESUS. As you see you are not alone, JESUS like us went through the same temptations. Now you may be thinking, yeah but HE’s GOD so of course HE did not give in. Let me shine a wee bit of light on that. JESUS is man also. JESUS was birthed through Mary (humanistic); JESUS was cared for as a baby; youth; adolescent and young adult (humanistic); JESUS learned a trade and worked (humanistic); JESUS suffered and died (humanistic); JESUS was buried (humanistic) but JESUS Is Alive and that’s another teaching.