Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted July 17, 2010 Members Posted July 17, 2010 When Jesus was led into the wilderness, the temptations Satan threw at Him were not the same temptations that Satan throws at us. If Satan were to try and tempt us to turn stones into food, we would probably laugh at him because we don't have the power to even *do* that. I think Satan was challenging Jesus to show His true nature, i.e., that He was both human AND divine. We aren't like that. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
teresaq Posted July 17, 2010 Posted July 17, 2010 good point rudywoofs. Quote facebook. /teresa.quintero.790
Members phkrause Posted July 17, 2010 Members Posted July 17, 2010 Yes good points. He temps each of us differently that's for sure. Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
Administrators Gail Posted July 17, 2010 Administrators Posted July 17, 2010 Although some of us are sorely tempted by food... Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted July 18, 2010 Administrators Posted July 18, 2010 Yes, I have often wondered at the idea that he was tempted in all the ways we are. Is it really all the same exact temptations? As a man, I have to wonder if he could have been tempted sexually as and to the same extent we are bombarded with non-stop sexual oriented stuff. And tempted in all things as all mankind for all time? Really? But then, maybe we misunderstand what it means to be tempted. I think you have hit upon a key element. The temptations that really test us are the ones which fit us and our character uniquely. What may break me, may only strengthen you and visa versa. So for us to be tempted as the other would be, really would not be a test of our character. And since Jesus was uniquely both divine and human, the test of his character had to target that specifically. We would not be tempted to give up our divinity for all the riches and power of this earth. It simply wouldn't fit us. I think that the essential part is that He was tempted in ways where he could be vulnerable just as we are tempted in ways we are vulnerable. That makes it the same in a different way. Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
Members abelisle Posted July 19, 2010 Members Posted July 19, 2010 As to matching the temptations to our characters, read C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters if you haven't already. And if the "temptations" fit the bill of what we would describe as evil thoughts, how did Jesus' stream of consciousness differ from ours or if it was just like us, how did he handle them? Alex Quote We are our worst enemy - sad but true. http://abelisle.blogspot.com
D. Allan Posted July 19, 2010 Posted July 19, 2010 Temtations that arise don't become sins until they are held onto and cherished. Also, Jesus may have mastered the ability to live in the present moment, being aware of the present moment always - thus blocking the "constant monkey chatter" of the unconscious. Quote dAb O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
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