I believe everything the Bible says. I believe you can trust it in its entirety.
Yes, I am a “the Bible says it, I believe it and that settles it” kind of guy.
I try not to portion out what’s easy to believe and turn my eyes away from the really hard stuff, the unpopular stuff; the stuff that’s easy to dismiss as either too antiquated or implausible.
I believe that God’s word does not allow for a woman to have authority over a man, that same sex relationships are against God’s will and therefore are sinful, I believe Jonah lived in the belly of fish for three days and I definitely believe that Jesus died and rose from the grave and is alive today preparing a place for me – and you – to spend eternity in Heaven with him.
I do not, however, believe Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness.
Oh, I believe the event took place, the Bible says it did. I believe Jesus fasted and was lead out by the Holy Spirit and that Satan said all the things to Jesus that the gospel accounts attest.
I just don’t think he was tempted. Sorta like offering me some asparagus or asking Michael Jordan if he wants a nice pair of Reeboks, maybe asking Michael Bloomberg if he wants a large Coke – I mean c’mon?
Doesn’t a temptation need to be tempting?
I guess I should clarify that just a bit. I find it hard to believe that Jesus was tempted at this point. Of all the difficult passages in the Bible, this is the one that gives me the most trouble. I mean, Satan knew Jesus, you know from back in the day. He knew who he was dealing with. He knew where it was going to end up. He knew what the answer was going to be. The Bible does not say Satan left surprised just that he was gone.
Satan knew.
The Bible says everything that has ever been made was “…created by him, and for him…(1 Cor. 1:16 KJV),” including Satan. So what can the creation offer the creator?
Imagine your five year old coming to you and saying, “Hey, I’ll give the house, the car and all the money in your bank account if you simply bow down and worship me.”
Really?
Because in a manner of speaking this is EXACTLY what the father of lies attempted to do. “Hey, Jesus, listen, worship me and I will give all your stuff. Sure, I know you created it and all but it’s all yours if you just bow down to me.”
Was that even a serious offer? At least on “Let’s Make a Deal” there’s a chance the other offer is going to be a good one.
I have never heard anyone accuse Satan of being stupid but I am not sure the mark can be too far off.
I wonder if any of the little demons tried to make Satan feel better when he got back to the pit. “Ay, chin up boss. You’ll get ‘im next time.”
Probably not.
Mick Holt 
7 Comments
Very deep and true. I agee with your thought.
Thank you for reading and commenting, it means a lot to me. Glad you liked it.
Wow Mike, quite thoughtful. I will have to think on this a more . Really good points.
Thank you, Nicole. One of the best things about the Bible is that it always gives us something to think about. I appreciate you reading and commenting.
Interesting…for some reason I’ve never given this much thought, but you bring valid points.
As I read, I couldn’t help but think of something an acquaintance of mine said- “Satan’s is such a liar that he’s even himself fooled.”
It’s sort of like people who are delusional, they truly believe the delusions. Satan has been lying so long, he believes his own lies- he thinks he can out fool God. Sort of like extreme arrogance blinds people from seeing their flaws.
Anyway, great post. It’s nice to get new perspectives on scriptures.
Have a great holiday weekend! God bless.
Thanks TC. I think your acquaintance is right. We know Satan is prone to arrogance so it is not a stretch to think he buys his own lies.
Thanks again for stopping by. You have a good holiday too.
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