Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the
wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
It is very important to understand this one verse. Jesus set us a perfect example in everything He did. Jesus
personified every gift of the Spirit in a proper, God-honoring way: prophecy,
faith, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, giving, teaching, apostleship,
pastoring, etc… Jesus even set us an example in how to follow the Holy Spirit.
Jesus did not do anything of His own will, He did not even equate His authority
equal to God the Father’s. Jesus did not
do anything because of His own authority—look:
I can of
mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because
I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 5:30 (KJV)
Who, being
in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was
made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as
a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of
the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly
exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things
in earth, and things under the
earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
Phil 2:6-11 (KJV)
Jesus,
was led by the Spirit. Jesus
obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit! And look what this verse says: Jesus
followed the Spirit into the desert to do what? To be tempted by the devil. Jesus was tempted in every single way we
are, yet without sin. This is not a figurative thing, no Jesus
underwent temptation but never submitted, setting us an example.
Seeing
then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus
the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession. 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.
Heb 4:14-15 (KJV)
Let
no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted
with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But
every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then
when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,
bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved
brethren.
James 1:13-16 (KJV)
Matt 4:1 (KJV)
