We all know of the account of Jesus in the wilderness and the way He answered every temptation of the devil with the Word of God. I want to show you something else today that is of vital importance in understanding not just WHAT Jesus did, but HOW He was able to do it! Remember that though Jesus was and is 100% God, He did nothing on earth during His ministry AS God! He was also 100% man! Philippians 2:7:
7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. AMP
There are those who say that this is blasphemy, but they simply lack understanding of the Word of God. Jesus HAD to be sinless as a MAN to qualify to take our place. If He had acted as God on the earth, what big deal would it be if He was sinless? He could ALWAYS represent God, but He could not represent man until He became one and then, as a man, not sin! Hebrews 4:15:
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. KJV
This does not take away from His deity at all, but reinforces His great love and what a sacrifice it was! So how DID Jesus face the enemy as a man and not give in to temptation? The same way that we are to! Luke 4:1-2a:
1 THEN JESUS, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit 2 For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil.
Notice that He was "full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit"! THAT is how WE defeat the devil, too! After this temptation we see what Jesus did in Luke 4:13-14:
13 And when the devil had ended every [the complete cycle of] temptation, he [temporarily] left Him [that is, stood off from Him] until another more opportune and favorable time. 14 Then Jesus went back full of and under the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee, and the fame of Him spread through the whole region round about.
What is good enough for Jesus is certainly GREAT for us! AMEN! So, be and stay filled with the Spirit and full of His Word! Then dare to defy the enemy with the Word of God! Jesus DID and it worked for Him TRY IT! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "At The Cross":
Shalom in Him!
