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THE FIRST ATTACK TO OBEDIENCE THE TEMPTATION

Have you experienced to disobey God because you were tempted to do things against the will of God?
How many times in your life have you experienced to disobey God because you failed to overcome temptation?
When you disobeyed God, did you become better or you went bitter? Have you experienced to overcome
temptation which led you to obey God? What happened next, good or bad?
I believe that everytime you disobey God, you will miss the opportunity that God has prepared
especially for you. Satan will use everything, especially his first and most effective weapon to disobedience the
temptation to lead you to disobey God. Thats why you need to study Satans schemes and find Biblical
principles how to overcome temptation.
Two Kinds of Temptation (peirasmos) in the Bible
Temptation (peirasmos in Greek word) is a word being used same as Trial, which means to put a proof or to
try or to test. There are two kinds of peirasmos which the Bible clearly gives distinction:
1. Trial (positive). This is a kind of peirasmos which is divinely permitted or sent or allowed by God with the
purpose of testing your faith.
The Bible says in James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials (temptations) of
many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. The word trials here
is used also as temptations or peirasmos in Greek word but the purpose is to test your faith to develop
perseverance. The trials here is allowed by God to make you strong and not to destroy you.
Also in James 1:12, it says, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial (temptation), because when he
has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. In this
verse, the word trial or temptation (peirasmos in Greek) is used positively that when perseveres under
trial you will receive the crown of life.
2. Temptation (negative). This kind of peirasmos is definitely designed to lead to wrong doing. The source of
this trial or temptation is clearly from evil.
The Bible says in James 1:13-15 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil
desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when
it is full-grown, gives birth to death. The word tempted here is used also as trial (peirasmos in Greek) but
the source is evil and the end result is sin.
God wants us to overcome all kinds of peirasmos, either the trials (positive) or temptations (negative),
because when you overcome the trials (positive) you will have a reward from God and when you overcome
the temptations (negative) you will be kept away from wrongdoing and sin.
Reflect on this verse
Reflect on this verse in Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many
were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous.
This verse means that when Adam disobeyed God, he sin against God. His sin was transmitted to all, and
mankinds were made sinners. But when Jesus died on the cross in obedience to the will of the Father to make
him as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins of mankind, those who have faith in Jesus will be made righteous
(forgiven from sins and be free from penalty of sins).
Both Adam and Jesus were tempted by Satan. Satan used the weapon of temptation to Adam and he
succeeded. He used this also to tempt Jesus but Jesus did overcome it. What we will learn from this lesson is
how this temptation operates and how did Jesus overcome temptation.
THE TEMPTATION OF ADAM AND EVE WHICH LED TO DISOBEDIENCE
Temptation was the first weapon of Satan against obedience to God and still his best weapon even
today. By using the weapon of temptation, Satan was able to deceive Adam and Eve to disobey God. This is the
account of the Bible regarding the temptation of Satan to Adam and Eve.
Genesis 2:15-17 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take
care of it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you
must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He
said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" 2 The woman said to the
serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree
that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" 4 "You will not surely die," the
serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be
like God, knowing good and evil." 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and
pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her
husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they
were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
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By Rev. Roli S. Arangote, Copyright 2015 (Free to share, just acknowledge the author)

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THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS & HOW DID HE OVERCOME IT
Satan also tempted Jesus but Jesus made to overcome it. Here is the account in the Bible how did Jesus
overcome temptation.
Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert 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 does 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
11
only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
HOW TEMPTATION OPERATES AND HOW IT LEADS YOU TO DISOBEY GOD?
1. Temptation challenges the authority of God. It will lead you to test (question) the authority of God.
There is a command to Adam in Genesis 2:17 you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Satan (the serpent) tempted Adam and Eve to disobey
that command by challenging the authority of God:
- Genesis 3:1 He (the Serpent) said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any
tree in the garden'?"
- Genesis 3:4-5 4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that
when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Because of this temptation, Adam and Eve were deceived and did not pay attention to the authority of
God and even ignored it. They were led to challenge the command of God so they disobeyed God.
When Satan tempted Jesus, the devil also challenged the authority of God:
- Matthew 4:2-3 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he(Jesus) was hungry. 3 The tempter
(the devil) came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
- Matthew 4:5-7 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.'"
However, Jesus paid attention to the authority of God so He answered in Matthew 4:7 Jesus
answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
BE WARNED: When time comes in your life that it seems you are already challenging the authority
of God, either in thoughts, words, behavior, or action, Satan is using his temptation weapon against you. Do
not fall in Satans trap. Overcome temptation.
2. Temptation creates confusion in your decision-making ability. It will lead you to doubt God.
The command to Adam is very clear but Satan tempted Adam and Eve to confuse their mind:
- Genesis 3:1 He (the Serpent) said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any
tree in the garden'?"
- Genesis 3:4-5 4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that
when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Because Satan created confusion in the mind of Adam and Eve, they were led to disobey God. They ate
the forbidden fruit even the command was very clear because they were confused already.
BE WARNED: When time comes in your life that you are confused of what is right decision to make
because you dont know anymore to whom to listen, Satan is using his temptation weapon against you to
confuse your decision-making ability. Do not fall in Satans trap. Overcome temptation. Always focus to
listen to the will and command of God.
3. Temptation deceives you by helping you achieve your personal desires. It will lead you to ignore God.
Temptation deceives you by helping you achieve your personal desires even to the extent of disobeying
God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God because Satan deceived them by making them believe that by eating the
forbidden fruit they will gain wisdom and they will know good and evil like God.
- Genesis 3:5-6 (The serpent said) 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be
opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 6 When the woman saw that the fruit
of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she
took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
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By Rev. Roli S. Arangote, Copyright 2015 (Free to share, just acknowledge the author)

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When Satan tempted Jesus, the devil tried to offer the wealth and pleasure of the world,
- Matthew 4:8-10 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.'
Satan uses the wealth and pleasure of the world to tempt people. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, it says,
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires
that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some
people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
BE WARNED: To be successful, to be rich, or to be wealthy is not a sin. In fact, it is the will of God for
you to prosper. However, when time comes in your life that you have to compromise Gods principles in
order to achieve success, promotion, riches, or wealth, it is already a trap of Satan. Satan is using his
temptation weapon against you to disobey God. Do not fall in Satans trap. Overcome temptation. Wait
for Gods right timing. Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to
it.
HOW TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION
1. Arm Yourself with the Word of God. When Satan tried to tempt Jesus, Jesus did overcome the temptation
using the Scriptures the Word of God. Jesus always quoted the Scripture It is written to fight the
temptation of Satan. When there is confusion, doubt or bad circumstance, get back to the Word of God and
always trust the Word. When making decision, get back to the Word of God and always trust the Word. The
Word of God will guide you against deception and hidden agenda of Satan: Psalm 119:105 Your word is a
lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Ephesians 6:13-18 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you
may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the
belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet
fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of
faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds
of prayers and requests.
2. Brace Yourself with Prayer. Brace means to get ready for something difficult or unpleasant or to give added
support or strength. Jesus was weak physically at the time of temptation but he was strong spiritually
because he was praying and fasting.
Before Jesus was seized and crucified, He prayed in the Mount of Olives, Luke 22:45-46 45 When he rose
from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 "Why are you
sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
Temptation keeps you away from praying. But prayer keeps you away from temptation. Jesus also
taught to pray this: Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Temptation will make you fall but brace yourself with prayer to overcome it.
3. Control your desires, and not your desires control you. One of the powers within you that God has given is
the will power or the free will. You have the power to choose and decide. Whatever your decision is, God
who is the highest authority will respect you (although there is always consequence in your every decision).
If God respects your will, Satan cannot prevent you to do your will. Satans power in your life is effective
only when you allow him. Thats why he will use temptation for you to allow him to manipulate you.
Temptation attacks your will and emotion by enticing/attracting your desires. James 1:14 but each one is
tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. So use your will power to control
your emotion and your desire. The spiritual powers (Word of God and prayer) will guide you and teach you
what to do, but it is you who will do it. When you apply Gods principle in your life, thats the only time the
power of God becomes effective in your life.
Dont allow your desires to control you. Make yourself the controller of your desire. Make God the
master of your life.
Remember this: Temptation feeds your physical needs to destroy your spiritual defense. Temptation mainly
attacks your spirituality, not your physicality, so overcome it with spiritual power.
Concluding verse: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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
stand up under it.
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By Rev. Roli S. Arangote, Copyright 2015 (Free to share, just acknowledge the author)