J.C. Ryle's article on Matthew 4:1-11 addresses the doctrine of temptation and spiritual warfare, emphasizing the reality and potency of Satan as a persistent enemy. The author presents key arguments highlighting the nature of temptation, the necessity of Scripture as a weapon for resistance, and the comforting reality of Christ's sympathy for believers. Ryle supports his points with Scripture references, particularly emphasizing the use of the Bible in resisting temptation, drawing from Christ's responses to Satan (Matthew 4:1-11) as models for believers. The theological significance of this text lies in understanding that temptation is an inherent struggle for Christians, alongside the assurance of Christ's empathetic intercession, bolstering faith and perseverance in the face of spiritual trials.
Key Quotes
“Let us learn in the first place what a real and mighty enemy we have in the devil.”
“To be tempted is in itself no sin. It is the yielding to the temptation and giving it a place in our hearts which we must fear.”
“The chief weapon we ought to use in resisting Satan is the Bible.”
“In that he himself has suffered being tempted he is able to help those who are tempted.”
What does the Bible say about temptation?
The Bible indicates that temptation is a common experience for all believers, as even Jesus was tempted by the devil.
Hebrews 2:18
How do we know the devil is real?
The Bible presents the devil as a real and powerful being who seeks to undermine God's creation and the souls of humanity.
1 Peter 5:8, John 8:44
Why is reading the Bible important for Christians?
Reading the Bible equips Christians with the knowledge and strength needed to resist temptation and grow in faith.
Ephesians 6:17, Psalm 119:105
How does Jesus sympathize with our temptations?
Jesus sympathizes with our temptations because He Himself experienced them, providing comfort and understanding to believers.
Hebrews 2:18
The first event in our Lord's ministry which Matthew records after His baptism, is His temptation. This is a deep and mysterious subject. There is much in the history of it which we cannot explain. But there lie on the face of the history plain practical lessons, to which we shall do well to take heed.
Let us learn in the first place, what a real and mighty enemy we have in the devil. He is not afraid to assault even the Lord Jesus Himself. Three times over he attacks God's own Son. Our Savior was "tempted by the devil." It was the devil who brought sin into the world at the beginning. This is he, who vexed Job, deceived David, and gave Peter a heavy fall. This is he, whom the Bible calls a "murderer," a "liar," and a "roaring lion." This is he, whose enmity to our souls never slumbers and never sleeps. This is he, who for nearly 6000 years has been working at one work—to ruin men and women, and draw them to hell. This is he, whose cunning and subtlety pass man's understanding, and who often appears as "an angel of light."
Let us all watch and pray daily against his devices. There is no enemy worse than an enemy who is never seen and never dies, who is near to us wherever we live, and goes with us wherever we go. Not least let us beware of that levity and jesting about the devil, which is so unhappily common. Let us remember every day, that if we would be saved, we must not only crucify the flesh, and overcome the world, but also "resist the devil."
Let us learn in the next place, that we must not count temptation a strange thing. "The disciple is not greater than his master, nor the servant than his lord." If Satan came to Christ, he will also come to Christians.
It would be well for all believers, if they would remember this. They are too apt to forget it. They often find evil thoughts arising within their minds, which they can truly say they hate. Doubts, questions, and sinful imaginings are suggested to them, against which their whole inward man revolts. But let not these things destroy their peace, and rob them of their comforts. Let them remember there is a devil, and not be surprised to find him near them. To be tempted is in itself no sin. It is the yielding to the temptation, and giving it a place in our hearts, which we must fear.
Let us learn in the next place, that the chief weapon we ought to use in resisting Satan is the Bible. Three times the great enemy offered temptations to our Lord. Three times his offer was refused, with a text of Scripture as the reason, "it is written."
Here is one among many reasons, why we ought to be diligent readers of our Bibles. The Word is the sword of the Spirit. We shall never fight a good fight, if we do not use it as our principal weapon. The Word is the lamp for our feet. We shall never keep the king's highway to heaven, if we do not journey by its light. It may well be feared, that there is not enough Bible-reading among us. It is not sufficient to have the Book. We must actually read it, and pray over it ourselves. It will do us no good, if it only lies still in our houses. We must be actually familiar with its contents, and have its texts stored in our memories and minds. Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition. It can only be obtained by diligent, regular, daily, attentive, wakeful reading. Do we grudge the time and trouble this will cost us? If we do, we are not yet fit for the kingdom of God.
Let us learn in the last place, what a sympathizing Savior the Lord Jesus Christ is. "In that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted." (Heb. 2:18.)
The sympathy of Jesus is a truth which ought to be peculiarly dear to all believers. They will find in it a mine of strong consolation. They should never forget, that they have a mighty Friend in heaven, who feels for them in all their temptations, and can enter into all their spiritual anxieties. Are they ever tempted by Satan to distrust God's care and goodness? So was Jesus. Are they ever tempted to presume on God's mercy, and run into danger without warrant? So also was Jesus. Are they ever tempted to commit some one great private sin for the sake of some great seeming advantage? So also was Jesus.
Are they ever tempted to listen to some misapplication of Scripture, as an excuse for doing wrong? So also was Jesus. He is just the Savior that a tempted people require. Let them flee to Him for help, and spread before Him all their troubles. They will find His ear ever ready to hear, and His heart ever ready to feel He can understand their sorrows.
May we all know the value of a sympathizing Savior by experience! There is nothing to be compared to it in this cold and deceitful world. Those who seek their happiness in this life only, and despise the religion of the Bible, have no idea what true comfort they are missing.
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