The Temptations of Christ
I have thought a lot about the “temptations of Christ in the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13). My best conclusion I have come to yet (though I very open to more perspectives) is that Satan ATTEMPTED to tempt Christ, but Christ was not actually tempted. My reasoning behind this is the ability to sin in one’s heart but not actually carry through with the act. It appears if one has been tempted they have sinned in their heart. I do not think Christ hesitated a moment when he rebuked each of Satan’s attempts to tempt Him. This also brings me to the “prayer in the garden” just before He was arrested and placed on trial (Matthew 26:39-42, Mark 14:35-26, Luke 22:41-44). Jesus did ask if there was another way, but asked if there was another way only according to God’s will. I understand this may be a foreign way of reasoning, I just thought I would share my insight on the matter. This is a topic I find is not discussed very often.
Matthew 5:21-22
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matthew 5:27-28
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
1 John 3:14-15
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
I have thought a lot about the “temptations of Christ in the wilderness” (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13). My best conclusion I have come to yet (though I very open to more perspectives) is that Satan ATTEMPTED to tempt Christ, but Christ was not actually tempted. My reasoning behind this is the ability to sin in one’s heart but not actually carry through with the act. It appears if one has been tempted they have sinned in their heart. I do not think Christ hesitated a moment when he rebuked each of Satan’s attempts to tempt Him. This also brings me to the “prayer in the garden” just before He was arrested and placed on trial (Matthew 26:39-42, Mark 14:35-26, Luke 22:41-44). Jesus did ask if there was another way, but asked if there was another way only according to God’s will. I understand this may be a foreign way of reasoning, I just thought I would share my insight on the matter. This is a topic I find is not discussed very often.
Matthew 5:21-22
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matthew 5:27-28
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
1 John 3:14-15
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.