Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." Eph. 2:3
But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:14
For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,"Rom. 8:3
Q. What does "we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are" --- mean to those who believe Jesus is God ?
A. Two basic ways a believer's heart is tempted:
- A) To be pulled through the lusts of the flesh toward things that pass away
- B) To feint in well doing because of the pressure of the crucible.
Q. What nature did Jesus have ?
A. Jesus was not by nature a child of wrath...try as the tempter did in the wilderness, the allures of all that which is passing away (1Jn 2:15-17) held no attraction to him.. In other words, he was born with a heart that had no need of flesh circumcision.
Q. How can Jesus be tempted "in every way" and not have "evil desires" which is temptation ?
A. The ingredients of temptation are 1) The tempter (Satan), 2) the temptation 3) the tempted (heart of man)
Type A temptations - The heart of fallen man is entombed in the flesh with its lusts. Jesus was born with no such "entombment" therefore those things of the world held no attraction..In terms of Romans 6, He was born "dead to sin."
Type B temptations- The continuation through the "well doing" of Calvary was Jesus' great temptation---having nothing to do with the type A temptations--- and although Jesus prayed in Gethsemane to not be led to drinking that cup, at no time was his ultimate desire anything but to go where the Father led. (i.e "lead me not into temptation...nevertheless not my will but Thine be done")
Steve
