Temptation – Three Minute Bible

July 4, 2025July 6, 2025

Matthew 5:2 — Who is Jesus? Part IV — Son

a picture of Jesus sitting on the ground in the wilderness. The devil stands nearby holding a steaming hot loaf of bread. (Grok)

… and he began to teach them.

Summary: Jesus’ role as a “son” defines him in an entirely different way from who he is as a God, Creator, and King.

God, Creator, and King are three radically different roles for one person to occupy. Even with just these three aspects to consider, the implications are staggering. Yet we have only begun to explore the various roles that Jesus fills. Of those that are left to discuss, his role as “Son” is perhaps the most important.

August 10, 2024August 11, 2024

Galatians 6:1d – Supercar

But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Summary: Super sports cars and sin don’t have to go together, but sometimes they do. When we find ourselves trying to help others who sin, we might fall into the supercar trap.

January 21, 2023January 21, 2023

Matthew 6:25 – The Antidote

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life …

Summary: Worry is a word that describes us imagining things that could go wrong. The fear that results from worry causes us to react. Driven by fear, we fall into the temptation to seek false safety.

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023

Matthew 4:9 – Heart, Soul and Mind

“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Summary: Sometimes our behavior is predictable, and when that happens the devil can use our natural instincts against us.

January 18, 2023January 18, 2023

Matthew 4:6 – If / Then

… throw yourself down.

Summary: The second temptation of Jesus is a doozy. Satan appeals to Jesus’ ego to see if he can find a crack in the armor of the Son of God.

October 17, 2022October 17, 2022

Matthew 6: 9 — Give Us

This, then, is how you should pray …

Summary: In this meditation, we look at the second part of the Lord’s Prayer. Where the first part reminds us to acknowledge God, the second part focuses on our needs.

October 11, 2021October 11, 2021

2 Peter 1:19d — Two Kinds of Light

… as to a light shining in a dark place,

Summary: Peter leans on an illustration that would have been common in his day, but is not so common today.

December 27, 2019December 29, 2019

Tempting or Testing? – James 1: 13

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone…

Let us be clear on this point: Tempting and testing are two different things.

Testing is a processed used to measure or strengthen. (e.g. – I took a test to see if I qualified for a job I wanted. See James 1: 12)

Tempting is an attempt to entice a person to do what they know is wrong. (e.g. – A coworker tried to tell me it is okay to steal supplies from work.)

God is okay with testing people. Testing has a wide range of uses in the Bible. God is not okay with people doing what they know is wrong.

James is clear on this point and we need to be, too.