When the devil tempted Jesus three time (Luke 4:1-13) he did not say to Jesus “you should do something very bad and sinful.” No, these are good to do, right? Bread to eat; ruling over nations and proving God’s Word true; are’t all these good actions?
Not when such actions are against God’s will, even if they appear on the surface to be good or normal. Not if such actions are according to our ideas and not according to God’s Word.
The devil’s quote of Psalm 91 in the third temptation is quite instructive. In this temptation he said Jesus should do what the psalmist says in 91:11-12 and so jump off the temple and Jesus would be protected from falling by angels. The devil skipped quoting surrounding verses which Jesus knew well:
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Of course God’s promise to protect in verses 11-12 is powerful and good — yet these promises are attached to the one who holds to God above all things in faith and love! To fear and love God above all things is not to tempt God!
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May God guide us to know His Word and do His will! Pastor Carl Rockrohr
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