Satan’s Schema – Part 2

Jesus is tempted three times in Matthew 4. The first temptation goes something like this: “Turn these stones into bread so you can have something to eat.”

On the surface, it looks like the temptation has something to do with a meal, but it goes much deeper than that. The root issue here is that Satan is trying to get Jesus to DISTRUST THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND SUPPORT OF GOD THE FATHER.

In other words, Satan is saying: “Because you are hungry and God is obviously not providing for you, you should take matters into your own hands.”

This temptation comes in many forms to us on a daily basis.

Here are three ways in which we are tempted to distrust the divine providence and support of God the Father:

1) IN PRAYER

Often times I find that it is rather hard to spend a significant amount of time in prayer in the mornings or throughout he day. I am tempted to instead get on my laptop and start working away. I doubt that my dependence on God through prayer will actually be more productive than my ability to get things done. Instead of relying on God to work and provide for my family and ministry, I take matters into my own hands and rely on myself.

2) IN GIVING

Research has shown that the average person tithes about 2% of their income. And with the economy the way it is, that number is expected to go down. Many churches currently are getting hit hard – finding that their giving has dropped 30% in 2008. Satan, during this financial crisis, would tempt us to believe that we need to stop trusting in God’s providence and to cut back on our giving. Are you listening to this temptation? Or are you trusting that God will take care of all your needs?

3) IN PATIENCE

Since I work with college students, I have to mention that many of them neglect patience when it comes to friendships or dating relationships. I have seen many college students make poor decisions on the friends they select or the guys/girls that they choose to date because they have lost patience with God. Since God is obviously not providing them with their dream guy or girl right now, they have to take matters into their own hands and lower their standards. This leads to one big mess. Are you continuing to trust in God’s providence in the relationship area in your life, or are you giving into the temptation to neglect patience?

We’ll cover the second temptation in the next blog.