“Diabolos”

Diabolos "Then the devil took him to the holy city, had him stand on the highest point of the temple." Matt. 4:5

Matthews account of the temptation in the wilderness, you find an odd setting. Technically the temptation only began in the wilderness, but actually took place in three different locations, as satan challenged Jesus' identity. "If you are the son of God," he would say. Jesus in return would respond by quoting scripture. Imagine the multiple ways Jesus could have handled the situation, yet he simply quoted scripture. This is all totally for the believers' benefit. It was a teachable moment on The authority of the believer, Speaking the word to satan when he challenges your identity, that you too are a son of God. Jesus is the first born among many brethren (Rom. 8:29), And that you are heirs and joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).

I find it a little bit interesting that one of these temptations took place right at the heart of their religious society, at the temple in the holy city. It's almost as if satan neither felt awkward or out of place in taking Jesus to the temple in the holy city. You will find religious service or edifices are not an affront to satan. He is very comfortable with religion. It is God's presence that causes exposure to his activities. The word devil in Matt. 4:5 is taken from the Greek word "diabolos", which means a slanderer and a false accuser. Secular Greek renders this word to mean, "to cast through." Implying that he has come to bring division. Devils in general want to destroy all covenant relations by bringing accusations between two party's, whether it be a husband and a wife, or brothers in Christ. My encouragement is not to do his work for him, in other words don't be a tool. Learn to speak the Word into situations. Learn to wield the sword of the Spirit. (Eph. 6:17).

Pastor Rusty

#satan #accusations #temptation #temptationofChrist