The Nature of Temptation

1. The lust of the flesh
2. The lust of the eye
3. The pride of life



"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:14-15 (KJV)

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For ALL that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)

Let's first deal with the word "lust". It comes from the Greek word "epithumia" which means "a forbidden longing or desire" ... in other words "an uncontrollable desire".

Jesus our Example - Matthew 4:1-11

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Mat 4:1)

Notice: that Jesus was tempted in these three areas of life...the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and pride of life

Lust Of The Flesh... Satan said to Jesus, "make these stones bread". After 40 days of fasting Jesus undoubtedly was hungry and weak. While it is no sin to be hungry and desire food, it would have been sinful for Jesus to use the powers that God had given to Him for selfish desires of the flesh.

Pride Of Life ... Satan put Jesus on a high building with the suggestion to "jump off and before you kill yourself God will send the angels to save you". The idea behind this temptation was that Jesus could have instant credibility...but He had to tempt God to save Him from a foolish act. In other words Satan said Show-Off!

Lust Of The Eye ... Satan took Jesus to a high mountain to show him the kingdoms of the earth. "All this I will give to you if you serve me..." Jesus was shown the wealth, power and glamour of the world where He could be rich, famous and powerful. The temptation 'see what you could have.'

(Hebrews 4:15) 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.