Last night I went home on time, this is quite unusual hehe, since I always stayed at the office at least until 7.00 PM. One reason is I want to avoid the traffic jam, so it is better do something else in the office rather than sit in the car doing nothing. I have planned to visit my former office to obtain signature from my former employer for CISA certification application then attended the prayer session in the church.
Last night talk is about Matthew 4:1-11. According to the preacher these verse contain of two parts i.e. how devil try to persuade man become a sinner and how Jesus faced the temptation without being a sinner. For this session the preacher talked about the part one of these verses "How devil try to persuade man become a sinner".
First we looked at Mat 4:2-3 "After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said. If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." He explained Devil utilise our needs to tempt us. Other example for this case is Esau because he was hungry, he was willing to trade his birth rights to Jacob. He didn't think about the cause of his decision, he just thought about the fulfilment of his needs. We are human sometimes like that, so we are willing to do anything include sinned action to fulfil our needs.
Second Mat 4:5-6 "Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "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." The preacher further explained that Devil use our knowledge of God's word to tempt us. Some people sometimes only quote a little part of the bible to make his action seems true. Hence, beware that we need to carefully interpret God's words.. beside the meaning we also need to know the context of the verses and how it is applied. Don't misuse it otherwise Devil will use it against us.
Third Mat 4:8-9 "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship". Devil use our focus to tempt us. One example of this is David. He focussed on his desire to a beautiful woman, which drawn him to commit murder and adultery.
I was made aware by by these explanation.. I hope this could equipped me more in the future.