Mateus 4
Kent Hughes · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 4
Hughes - One summer recently my wife, Barbara, and I and our boys spent a week fishing in northern Maine. In the final hour of the final day my boys caught the biggest smallmouth bass I have ever seen—five pounds, one ounce! Those are cosmic dimensions for a smallmouth bass! That old bass, the best I can tell, was over ten years old. For 3,650 days he had resisted every ploy known to man around Grand Lake Stream, Maine—until August 1989. On that fateful afternoon my boys were slowly trolling a salmon-colored, soft plastic, spinner-bladed jig, innocuously named “Little Fishy,” when it passed by the lair of the monster bass. The combination of the speed of the lure, its depth, the slant of the sun, and the refraction of the light ineluctably dragged the old bronze-backed bass away from his lair, just as the Greek words “dragged away” (Ed: "carried away" in NAS) in our text describe. Then he began to follow the lure, “enticed,” as our text has it, by its peculiar wiggle and the delicate fibrillations, so that he opened his mouth wide and in a sudden burst engulfed the jig. My boys’ shouts echoed across the lake, and today that fish’s grand, painted, mummified form graces my sons’ wall. It was a remarkable experience, but not unique, for it is universal among fishermen. The ancient Greek Oppian used these same words to describe drawing a fish from its original retreat under a rock, so that it succumbs to the bait. James, in using these words, has graphically painted a picture of how we are tempted by our own illicit desires (lusts). (See James: Faith That Works - Page 14) Genesis 39:1-12 The Tempted Brothers How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? —Genesis 39:9 Two brothers—both far from home —faced similar temptations. One, working away from the family, fell to the schemes of a younger woman. His sin led to embarrassment and family turmoil. The other, separated from loved ones because of family turmoil, resisted the advances of an older woman. His faithfulness led to rescue and renewal for the family. Who are these brothers? Judah, who fell to the desperate scheme of his neglected daughter-in-law Tamar (Gen. 38). And Joseph, who ran from the arms of Potiphar’s wife (Ge 39). One chapter, an ugly story of irresponsibility and deception; the other, a beautiful chapter of faithfulness. The stories of Judah and Joseph, presented back-to-back in the midst of “the history of Jacob” (Ge 37:2), show us that temptation itself is not the problem. Everybody faces temptation, even Jesus did (Matt. 4:1-11). But how do we face temptation? Do we demonstrate that faith in God can shield us from giving in to sin? Joseph gave us one way of escape: Recognize sin as an affront to God and run from it. Jesus gave another: Answer temptation with truth from God’s Word. We fall into temptation when we don’t stand against it INSIGHT - Temptation rarely conquers suddenly; it conquers when we cease resisting. James wrote, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7+). Standing firm is not passive (Let go, let God)—it is active resistance grounded in God’s Word , prayer, and dependence on the Spirit. (Let God, let's go). When we fail to take that stand, we inevitably fall, not because temptation was too strong, but because faith was too still. Temptation always knocks softly before it breaks down the door. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” — Matt 26:41 Satan aims first at your attention, then at your affection (your lust). “Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” — James 1:14 Small compromises open wide doors to great sins. Woe! “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” — Gal 5:9 We drift into sin when we stop steering toward holiness. (See Expulsive Power of a New Affection) “We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” — Heb 2:1 No one stands long who doesn’t kneel often. “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thess 5:17 Temptation weakens only when prayer strengthens. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” — Matt 6:13 The heart that hides God’s Word will not hide sin! “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” — Ps 119:11 Victory begins in vigilance. “Be on the alert; your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion.” — 1 Pet 5:8 Spiritual armor unused becomes spiritual defeat assured. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm.” — Eph 6:11 A moment of pleasure can cost a lifetime of peace. “The wages of sin is death.” — Rom 6:23 Temptation loses power when the Spirit of Christ fills the heart. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” — Gal 5:16 Sin never shows its price tag up front! “The end of those things is death.” — Rom 6:21 When faith grows faint, temptation often grows fierce. “I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.” — Luke 22:32 It’s easier to resist temptation at the door than to escape it once it is inside! “Make no provision for the flesh.” — Rom 13:14 Compromise begins when conviction goes quiet. “Hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering.” — Heb 10:23 Temptation is never stronger than the grace that opposes it. “God is faithful… with the temptation will provide the way of escape.” — 1 Cor 10:13 We can’t fight sin’s fire with a lukewarm heart. “Be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” — Ro 12:11 Holiness is not achieved by avoidance alone, but by affection for Christ. (See Expulsive Power of a New Affection) “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” — Col 3:2 A FEW MORE PROVERBIAL THOUGHTS ON TEMPTATION - He who toys with sin will soon be tangled by it. (Are you Entangled?) The surest way to fall is to think we cannot. Faith stands where the flesh would stumble. Those who kneel before God stand firm against sin. Victory begins when resistance begins. Temptation knocks where watchfulness sleeps. Sin enters softly when faith stands idly. We are in most danger from that temptation which we think ourselves most secure against. (1Co 10:12+) When we grow careless, Satan grows bold. He watches for drowsy sentinels (1Pe 5:8-9). The man who thinks he cannot fall is already fallen in spirit (1Co 10:12+). Watchfulness is the armor of faith; when prayer faints, sin conquers. (Mt 26:41+) Confidence in one’s own strength is presumption, not faith. To think we stand is to forget that our standing is wholly in grace. Overconfidence in one’s own spiritual strength is a sure precursor to a fall. True confidence rests in the Spirit's sufficiency, not in self-sufficiency. The believer in most danger of succumbing to sin is the overconfident one; the safest believer is the dependent one. Dependence is not weakness—it is wisdom. The believer safest from falling is the one leaning hardest on the Rock of our salvation. (cf Ps 18:2, Ps 19:14) The dependent soul runs to the Refuge (Pr 18:10), while the self-confident soul stands exposed. The believer safest from the fall is the one leaning hardest on the Rock, leaning on the everlasting arms (Dt 33:27+). He that carries gunpowder about him must not stand near the fire. If we dally with temptation, we shall fall by it. (Pr 6:27-28, 2Ti 2:22, Ro 13:14, Eph 5:11) The believer must keep far from the sparks of sin, flee what inflames the flesh, and guard the heart with holy vigilance (Pr 4:23). We never stand stronger than when we are upon our knees. He that would be little in temptation must be much in prayer. He that dares to dally with temptation will dare to sin. Temptation is not conquered by argument but by fleeing (1Co 6:18+, Ge 39:12) Peter’s failure came not because the temptation was greater than grace, but because his confidence was greater than his dependence. A powerful way to resist temptation is to replace it—with a greater affection (Expulsive Power of a New Affection). Temptation is not primarily an external event but an internal response. It reveals whether our trust is anchored in God’s promises or in our own desires. Sin is a gradual thing: first the thought, then the liking, then the consent. Those who would be safe must resist sin at the beginning. (Beloved brother if you have glanced accidentally at a virgin, take that thought captive immediately because you have only a millisecond to resist and run!) The world says safety is found in self-reliance; Scripture says it’s found in surrender of self. When Paul confessed, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10+), he was not promoting helplessness but holiness, a life leaning entirely upon the sufficiency of Christ (Php 4:13). The believer safest from a fall is not the strongest, but the one most aware of his weakness, most reliant on the Spirit’s strength. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9+) Every temptation carries with it a door marked ‘Escape.’ Faith finds that door and walks through it in the strength of the Spirit. We fall not because temptation is strong, but because our trust grows weak. The moment we stand in our own strength, we have already begun to fall. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). The branch that clings to the Vine lives securely; the one that tries to grow apart from it withers. To lean is not laziness — it is loyalty to the One who alone sustains life. The dependent believer is not passive but prayerful, not careless but clinging. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Pr 3:5) Every moment of self-assurance loosens our grip on grace; every moment of Spirit-reliance tightens it. 'Irresistible' Temptations Read: Luke 4:1-13 Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. —Matthew 4:1 Before I was old enough to get a driver’s license, I often thought about what it would be like to drive on the open road. I was afraid I would be tempted to go as fast as the car would go. I didn’t know if I would have the self-control to drive according to the speed limit and driving conditions. When I turned 16, though, I realized it was possible to control an accelerator instead of being controlled by it. Have you ever heard about someone who justified his sin, claiming that the temptation was so irresistible that he had no other choice? Or have you ever wondered whether a certain questionable activity might actually be all right for you? After all, you reasoned, didn’t this unique opportunity come along at just the right time and provide just what you thought you needed? We learn from the temptation of Jesus Christ that when we have an occasion to sin, God will always provide a way for us to escape or He will give us the strength to resist it (Lk. 4:1-13; 1 Cor. 10:13+). By relying on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God as Jesus did, we can resist temptation rather than be ruined by it. Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin; Each victory will help you some other to win, Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue; Look ever to Jesus—He'll carry you through. —Palmer Every temptation is an opportunity to trust God. ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS - Every trial is a test of trust. Each temptation invites either self-reliance or Spirit-dependence. Temptation tests whether we believe God is enough. Every temptation is a call to cling, not cave. Temptation reveals the depth of our trust, not the strength of our will. When temptation knocks, let faith answer. Begin to see that temptation is not just a threat to resist but a chance to rely. Temptation is the battlefield. Trust is the weapon. Victory comes not by willpower (cf Mt 26:41+), but by dependence on God’s Spirit (Ro 8:13+) Jesus met temptation not with argument but with trust in the Word of God. Each “It is written” (Matthew 4:1–11) was an act of faith — choosing to believe the Father’s sufficiency over the devil’s suggestion. So yes, Jesus depended on the Word, but remember He had also been "led by the Spirit" Mt 4:1 and in the parallel passage in Luke 4:1+ He was filled with the Spirit! Our victories follow the same pattern: not in trying harder, but in trusting deeper in His Word and His Spirit's power! And here is one Word we do well to memorize - 1Co 10:13+ "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." His word assures that no temptation we experience is unique or unconquerable. Why? Because God always provides: A limit (He will not allow it beyond what we can bear), A way (the path of escape) A purpose (to prove His faithfulness). So each temptation becomes a trust test—an opportunity to turn dependence into devotion. Temptation is not sin, but is the trial of faith. If faith holds its ground, the temptation becomes a blessing (Jas 1:2-8+, Jas 1:12+, 1Pe 1:6-7+). Temptation is designed by God to strengthen us while Satan schemes (Eph 6:11+) to use temptation to destroy us. Paul is saying in 1Co 10:13+ that God will make the temptation to be a trial of your faith, not a snare to your ruin. You can mark it down as a spiritual principle that every temptation hides a twofold door, one to sin, the other to trust. Faith chooses the latter door and finds the way of escape promised by our trustworthy God. The next time the enemy (internal or external - the world, the flesh and the devil) whispers, “You can’t resist,” cry out in faith “God is faithful.” When the flesh cries out, “You need this,” cry out that “Christ is enough for me.” Are you being tempted as you read these words? Take a moment to pray and play (worship) Christ is Enough! Remember that you can do all things (including silencing that whispering voice that seeks to draw you away from Christ). Philippians 4:13+ says you "can do (OUR RESPONSIBILITY) all things through Him Who strengthens (GOD'S PROVISION)" you! (See Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent/100% Responsible). Believe it and act on it because it is true! The Twofold Door Each trial hides a double door: One leads to sin, one to the Lord. Faith chooses the path where grace abides, And finds escape where Christ resides. So when the whispers press within, “Give up—resist is vain—just sin,” Lift up your heart, cry “God is true! Christ is enough—He’ll carry you.” ILLUSTRATION - A German picture called “Cloud-land” hangs at the end of a long gallery; and at first sight looks like a huge, repulsive daub of confused colour. As you walk towards it, it begins to take shape, and proves to be a mass of little cherub faces, like those in Raphael’s “Madonna san Sisto.” Close to the picture, you see only an innumerable company of little angels and cherubim. How often, frightened by temptation, we see nothing but a confused and repulsive mass of broken expectations and crushed hopes. But if, instead of fleeing away into unbelief and despair, we would only draw near to God in His Word, we should soon discover that the cloud was full of angels of mercy.’ This illustration recalls the story from 2 Kings 6:15-18 when the encircling chariots brought great fear to the heart of Elisha's servant... Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (ED: BELOVED THIS SHOULD BE OUR "WATCHWORD!") 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Strike this people with blindness, I pray.” So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. Illustration of the Plimsoll Mark (God will not allow you to be tested beyond what you are able to endure - 1 Cor 10:13+) - It was due to the efforts of Samuel Plimsoll (1824-98), British reformer, that the Merchant Shipping Act of 1876 was passed, requiring all ships to bear a mark known as the Plimsoll mark and indicating the maximum load line. By this act the Board of Trade of England was empowered to detain any vessel deemed unsafe, and the amount of cargo was restricted, thus making the long and perilous ocean voyage of those days much safer. Because of his work, Plimsoll became known as the sailor's friend. The Plimsoll mark, with its gradations and figures, may be seen on the bow of ships near the water line as they lie at anchor in a harbor. In God's sight, each of us has a similar mark, though we may not be able to see it The burdens and responsibilities He gives us may seem unbearable, but He knows our limit, His everlasting arms are underneath, and by His grace we can bear them without sinking. "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1Cor 10:13b+).—Sunday School Times Illustration of Temptation - short and pithy and funny - A man was on a diet and struggling. He had to go downtown and as he started out, he remembered that his route would take him by the doughnut shop. As he got closer, he thought that a cup of coffee would hit the spot. Then he remembered his diet. That’s when he prayed, “Lord, if You want me to stop for a doughnut and coffee, let there be a parking place in front of the shop.” He said, “Sure enough, I found a parking place right in front—on my seventh time around the block!” Steven
Mateus 4
Hughes comments that "By urging (Ed: commanding) Jesus to jump, Satan was trying to take advantage of Jesus’ twice-voiced determination to trust and obey God’s Word—“You are committed to obeying God’s Word, so obey this!”"....There may even have been a messianic overtone in Satan’s challenge because a later Rabbinic saying read: “Our teachers have taught, when the King, the Messiah, reveals himself, he will come and stand on the roof of the Temple” (Pesiqta rabbati, 36). Add to this the tendency of the godly to be attracted by the challenge to “step out in faith” and you can feel the tug of the temptation. In fact, refusal or even hesitancy in such situations could appear to be a lack of faith. It was a powerful, beguiling temptation. Satan was saying, in effect, “In the first temptations you have shown your trust in God’s Word. You are a faithful man—Psalm 91 is you! This is what the people are looking for in a Messiah. You are a man of faith, aren’t you? Just jump, and the whole world will see who you really are!” Really? Jesus thought otherwise. He knew that he had no word from the Father directing him to leap off the temple. He again recognized that as God’s Son he must never do anything in his own power, for that would be putting God to the test. (See Luke: That You May Know the Truth) For it is written- see note above on grapho. This phrase is found times in Matthew 4 and 4 times in rest of Matthew - Matt. 4:4; Matt. 4:6; Matt. 4:7; Matt. 4:10; Matt. 11:10; Matt. 21:13; Matt. 26:24; Matt. 26:31. Here even Satan appeals to the immutability of God's Word and promises, in effect telling Jesus that these promises still hold true. Jamieson - "But what is this I see?" exclaims stately Bishop Hall. "Satan himself with a Bible under his arm and a text in his mouth!" Doubtless the tempter, having felt the power of God's Word in the former temptation, was eager to try the effect of it from his own mouth (2Cor 11:14). Several writers such as D A Carson and the NET Note says the devil did not actually misquote Ps 91:11-12, but others like Wiersbe and Spurgeon do not agree. Robertson does add that the devil "misapplies it and makes it mean presumptuous reliance on God." D A Carson comments "Satan quoted Psalm 91:11–12 (v. 6) from the LXX, omitting the words “to guard you in all your ways.” The omission itself does not prove he handled the Scriptures deceitfully (contra Walvoord), since the quotation is well within the range of common NT citation patterns. Satan’s deceit lay in misapplying his quotation into a temptation that easily traps the devout mind by apparently warranting what might otherwise be thought sinful. Psalm 91:11–12 refers to anyone who trusts God and thus preeminently to Jesus. The angels will lift such a person up in their hands like a nurse a baby (cf. Nu 11:12; Dt 1:31; Isa 49:22; Heb 1:14) (SEE Matthew) Joseph A Alexander - That the mere omission of the words, in all thy ways, was a part of that temptation, or designed to wrest the passage from its true sense, though a very ancient and still prevalent opinion, seems to be a gratuitous refinement, as our Lord himself makes no such charge; as the first words of the sentence would of course suggest the rest; and as ways, in the original, does not mean ways of duty, but of Providence. Neither the tempter’s argument nor Christs’ reply to it would be at all affected by the introduction of the words suppressed. (Matthew 4) R C H