Sometimes what appears to be an opportunity is actually a trap.

Opportunity or Trap?

Matthew 4:1-11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.

6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

The nature of temptation is to appear deceptively as a good opportunity.

Temptation #1:

Turn stones to bread to feed yourself

Turn to physical gratification instead of relying on God for satisfaction.

Temptation #2:

Throw yourself down to prove yourself

Build yourself up with pride and performance instead of trusting in God’s plan.

Temptation #3:

You can have the best of both worlds.

You should trade God’s best for the world’s best counterfeit.

Tests for Discernment:

1. Scripture Test: Does it align with God’s Word?

2. Prayer Test: Have you sought God’s guidance through prayer?

3. Counsel Test: Have you sought godly counsel?

4. Motives Test: What is your primary motivation in the situation?

5. Purpose Test: Does it lead to accomplishing God’s purposes or away from them?

6. Priorities Test: Does it promote God’s priorities for your life?

7. Values Test: Does it involve compromising God’s kingdom values for worldly gain?

8. Power Test: Does it involve misusing your power for personal gain?

9. Identity Test: Does it involve compromising your God’ given identity?

10. Timing Test: Does it promote immediate gratification or God’s plan and timing?

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.