We are all familiar with the temptation of our Savior recorded in Matthew 4: 1-11; Mark 1: 12-14 and Luke 4: 1-12.  After an examination of these texts, we should make application to ourselves.  What can we learn from his great story that will help us today?

1)  WE NEED TO BECOME VERY FAMILIAR WITH OUR ENEMY, SATAN
      A.  We are at war with him - 2 Cor 10: 4-5
      B.  He is REAL, he is intelligent - look at the words to describe him in the Bible.  He has a personality.
           1.  Name - Rev 20:2
           2.  Followers - John 8:44
           3.  Desire - Lk 22:31
           4.  Talks - Lk 4: 3,6
           5.  Argues - Jude 9
           6.  Deceptive - Rev 20: 7,10
           7.  Oppressor
           8.  Has a future (destiny) - Matt 25: 41
      C.  Persistent - Lk 4: 13
      D.  Freedom to go where he wants - Job 1:7; 2:2 - in the city and the country
      E.  Very smart, shrewd, seductive
      G.  Other qualities...
2)  WE LEARN HOW TO CONQUER TEMPTATION
      A.  Pray not be led into it - Mt 6: 13
      B.  Flee it - 2 Tim 2: 22
      C.  Abstain from it - 1 Pet 2: 11
      D.  Absolutely abhor it - Rom 12:9
      E.  Fill our hearts with the Word - Matt 4: 4
      F.  Watch for his return-  Lk 4: 13
3)  OUR TALENTS(Qualities) MAY BE A SOURCE OF GREAT TEMPTATION
     A.  Physical talents can be a source of temptation!  How is that the case?
          1.  Athlete, artist, etc.  Look at Joseph -  Gen 39:6
4)  A KEY WORD TO WATCH OUT FOR - "IF"
     A.  "If only I had more education", "If others were living right", "If only my family members were Christians",
"If only company hadn't come", etc.
     B.  "If God said baptism is essential, what about the man who's killed on the way to being baptized?"
     C.  Someone once said "don't put a question mark where God puts a period."
5)  THE SOUL, LIKE THE BODY, NEEDS NOURISHMENT
     A.  Mt 4:4 - God's Word is that food
     B.  Milk and meat - Heb 5: 12-14
     C.  Needs to be consumed regularly - Mt 6:11
     D.  Assimilation! Jas 1: 22-25
6)  THREE THINGS TO AVOID!
      A.  Lusts of the flesh - Mt 4:3 -avoid the works of the flesh - Gal 5: 19-21
      B.  Lusts of the eyes - Mt 4:8- Job made a covenant with his eyes - Job 31: 1
      C.  Pride of life- I Pet 5: 5-6  Don't be a Diotrophes 3 John 9-10
7)  WE NEED TO BE BETTER BIBLE STUDENTS
      A.  Mt 4:7  Jesus used the word "again"
      B.  Every passage in the Bible must be understood in the light of all the Bible has to say  Psa 119:160
           1.  example - 1 John 3: 9?  Must be understood in the light of 1 John 1: 8-10 and more
8)  "AM I AS RELIGIOUS AS THE DEVIL?"
      A.  He has ministers - 2 Cor 11: 14,15, He can transform himself into an angel of light - 2 Cor 11:14

We need to always be on guard!