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Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Cole - This is not an outside enemy, but one that lives within us. Indwelling sin lurks there until the day we die and go to be with Jesus. I read of a pastor who was chatting with a godly, 78-year-old friend. The older gentleman recounted a recent trip to the city, where he realized that he was going to have to park and walk through a red-light district. So he pulled the car to a stop and prayed that God would protect him from temptation as he walked past all of the pornography stores and massage parlors. The pastor interrupted, “Wait a minute! I don’t mean to offend you, but you’re 78 years old. Are you telling me that you’re worried about sexual temptation at your age and after all these years of walking with the Lord?” The older man replied, “Son, just because I’m old doesn’t mean the blood doesn’t flow through my veins. The difference between we old men and you young men is this: we know we’re sinners. We’ve had plenty of experience. You kids haven’t figured that out yet” He knew that this powerful enemy still lived within, even after years of fighting against it. (Sermon) Ice-Cream Man - Little Jeff was trying his best to save money to buy his mother a present. It was a terrible struggle because he gave in so easily to the temptation to buy goodies from the ice-cream man whenever the brightly colored van came through the neighborhood. One night after his mother had tucked him in bed, she overheard him pray, "Please, God, help me run away when the ice-cream man comes tomorrow." Even at his young age he had learned that one of the best ways to overcome temptation is to avoid what appeals to our weaknesses. All believers are tempted to sin. Yet they need not give in. The Lord provides the way to be victorious over evil enticements (1Corinthians 10:13+). But we must do our part. Sometimes that involves avoiding situations that would contribute to our spiritual defeat. The apostle Paul admonished Timothy to run away from the evil desires of youth (2Ti 2:22+). He was to keep his distance from the temptations that might cause him to yield because of their strong appeal. That's good advice. If possible, we should never let ourselves be in the wrong places or with people who will tempt us to do the things we should be avoiding. It's wise to flee when tempted— A fool is one who'd stay; For those who toy with evil Soon learn it doesn't pay. —D. De Haan We fall into temptation when we don't flee from it. Yield Not- Imagine a song with a message so powerful it could stop a prison riot. According to one account, the song "Yield Not To Temptation" served that purpose. As the story goes, a group of women prisoners had been allowed out of their cells to listen to a visiting speaker. During the meeting, the supervisor gave an order that some of the prisoners didn't like, so they began to scream and hurl threats at her. The confrontation was escalating. The supervisor sent for help, and it came in an unusual way. A voice was heard singing over the tumult of the upset prisoners: "Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin; each victory will help you some other to win." Amazingly, the rebellion quieted, and the women joined in singing as they filed back to their cells. We save ourselves a lot of trouble by not yielding to the temptation to let anger control us. Likewise, we protect ourselves when we "yield not." Yielding not to the temptation to lie protects us from a loss of respect and further misrepresentations. Yielding not to the temptation of greed helps us avoid a gnawing dissatisfaction. But most important, when we "yield not" to temptation, we please God. Ask the Savior to help you, Comfort, strengthen, and keep you; He is willing to aid you— He will carry you through. —Palmer To escape temptation, flee to God. Tested And True - A young nurse was assisting a surgeon for the first time. As he was completing the operation, she told him he had used 12 sponges, but she could account for only 11. The doctor curtly replied that he had removed them all from inside the patient. The nurse insisted that one was missing, but the doctor declared he would proceed with sewing up the incision. The nurse, her eyes blazing, said, "You can't do that! Think of the patient!" The doctor smiled and, lifting his foot, showed the nurse the twelfth sponge, which he had deliberately dropped on the floor. "You'll do fine!" he said. He had been testing her. Daniel's three friends faced a different kind of test (Daniel 3:15-30+), but they too would not budge. They knew their refusal to worship the image might result in their death, yet they never wavered. They proved they were true to God by standing firm. The Lord still permits trials and temptations to enter the lives of His children. The challenge may come as an opportunity to gratify the lusts of the flesh, or as a series of disheartening circumstances. Whatever form it takes, we must not yield. Rather, we must stand for what is right and trust God to supply the grace we need (1Corinthians 10:13+). A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor can we be perfected without trial. God is faithful, who … with the temptation will also make the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13+). In 1346, during the Hundred Years' War, the English army of King Edward III met a French battalion at Crecy, France. The King's son, Prince Edward, led one vital division of the British force while Edward III stood nearby with a strong band of soldiers, ready to send relief if needed. Soon after the battle started, the prince thought he was in danger, so he sent for help. But the king didn't come. Young Edward sent another message, pleading for immediate assistance. His father responded by telling the courier, "Go tell my son that I am not so inexperienced a commander as not to know when help is needed, nor so careless a father as not to send it." This story illustrates the heavenly Father's relationship with believers as we battle temptation and sin. Often we cry out for help, but it seems that God sends no relief. Yet at no time does He withdraw His eye from our precarious position. He never allows us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear, and when He sees that we are about to be overcome He rushes to our aid or provides a way to escape. So we need not get frantic—our Father is aware of our situation. In 1 Corinthians 1:9 the apostle Paul said, "God is faithful." Commenting on this, Ambrose Serle noted, "He is wise to foresee and provide for all my dangers. He is faithful to perfect and perform all His promises." When God sends us, He also goes with us. Concerned about his personal life, Ed went to his pastor for help. After listening to the young man's mild list of supposed sins, the wise preacher felt that he had not been completely honest. "Are you sure that's all?" the preacher asked. "Yes, pastor," Ed said. "Are you positive you haven't been entertaining any impure thoughts lately?" the pastor continued. "Oh, no," Ed replied, "but they've sure been entertaining me." Temptation may be defined as a desire for sinful pleasure. If it didn't offer pleasure, it would be easy to resist. Perhaps that's why we under-stand the truth behind the cartoon in which a man says, "I don't mind fleeing temptation—as long as I can leave a forwarding address." And, if we're honest, we admit that sin often takes place first in our mind. For many people, illicit sexual thoughts provide pleasure. Temptation is not sin. For it to develop into sin, we have to welcome it, dwell on it, and enjoy it. For example, the temptation to get back at someone who has hurt us is wrong only when we begin to think about ways to harm that person and get revenge. Paul said that every thought must be brought "into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2Co 10:5). Character is shaped by what the mind takes in. Be Careful! - Several years ago my wife Carolyn and I were hiking on Mount Rainier in Washington when we came to a swollen, glacial stream. Someone had flattened one side of a log and dropped it across the river to form a crude bridge, but there was no handrail and the log was slippery. The prospect of walking on the wet log was frightening, and Carolyn didn't want to cross. But she found the courage, and slowly, carefully she inched her way to the other side. On the way back we had to walk on the same log, and she did so with the same care. "Are you afraid?" I asked. "Of course," she replied, "that's what keeps me safe." Again, fully aware of the danger, she made her way to safety. Much of life poses moral danger for us. We should never assume in any situation that we're incapable of falling. "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1Corinthians 10:12). Given the opportunity and circumstances, any of us are capable of falling into any sin. To believe otherwise is sheer folly. The hand of God protects our way When we would do His will; And if through danger we must go, We know He's with us still. —D. De Haan God provides the armor, but we must put it on Load Limit - We've all seen load-limit signs on highways, bridges, and elevators. Knowing that too much strain can cause severe damage or complete collapse, engineers determine the exact amount of stress that various materials can safely endure. Posted warnings tell us not to exceed the maximum load. Human beings also have their load limits, which vary from person to person. Some people, for example, can bear the pressure of trial and temptation better than others; yet everyone has a breaking point and can take only so much. At times, circumstances and people seem to be pushing us beyond what we can bear. But the Lord knows our limitations and never allows any difficulties to enter our lives that exceed our strength and ability to endure. This is especially true when we're enticed by sin. According to 1Corinthians 10:13+, "God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able." When sorrows assail us or terrors draw nigh, His love will not fail us, He'll guide with His eye; And when we are fainting and ready to fail, He'll give what is lacking and make us prevail. —Anon. If you yield to God, you won't give in to sin EDITORIAL NOTE: The preceding summary statement is the same principle taught in one of the most important passages in Scripture regarding how to fight temptation, Galatians 5:16+ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Notice the order which is absolutely critical - (1) yield, surrender, submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and (2) He will enable you to resist the and thus to effectively "neutralize" the temptation's power over your fallen flesh. Paul does not say the desire will be gone, but that the Spirit will enable a God directed desire in your heart and will give you the divine power to not act on the temptation and commit sin. Romans 8:13+ amplifies this truth for there Paul says "if by the Spirit (HIS SUPERNATURAL POWER) you are putting to death (THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY) the deeds of the body, you will live (THIS IS THE WONDERFUL "FRUIT")." See related discussion Expulsive Power of a New Affection TEMPTATION QUOTES Every temptation is an opportunity of our getting nearer to God. - John Quincy Adams Temptations discover what we are. - Thomas à Kempis Temptations are a file which rub off much of the rust of our self-confidence. - François Fenelon My temptations have been my masters in divinity. - Martin Luther Playwright Oscar Wilde once jokingly remarked, “I can resist everything except temptation.” We smile when we read those words because they speak an important truth about the human condition. Temptation pays a visit to each of us every day and most of us struggle to say no. - Ray Pritchard The main reason God allows trials in the lives of Christians is to test the strength of their faith. - John MacArthur Perhaps you’ve heard about the little boy who was lying under an apple tree. The farmer asked, ‘What are you trying to do? Steal an apple? “No, sir, I’m trying not to,” he replied. Many of are trying not to, but we fail because we lie down under the apple tree. - Ray Pritchard We are reminded that to be tempted is not sin; but to entertain temptation, or surrender to temptation is sin. - Guzik Learn to say no; it will be of more use to you than being able to read Latin! - C H Spurgeon Most people want to be delivered from temptation but would like it to keep in touch. - Robert Orben Does God lead into temptation? God tempts no man to sin. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt he any man." James 1:13. He permits sin—but does not promote it. He who is an encourager of holiness cannot be a pattern of sin. God does not tempt to that to which he has an antipathy. What king will tempt his subjects to break laws which he himself has established? - Thomas Watson (The Lord's Prayer) Here are a few "proverbial like" thoughts on temptation all from anonymous sources… The worst thing about resisting temptation is that we may not get another chance to do it! Following the lines of least resistance makes men and rivers crooked. He who avoids the temptation avoids the sin. It takes two to make a successful temptation, and you are one of the two. Most people who fly from temptation usually leave a forwarding address. Never invite temptation—it always accepts. No one can be caught in a place he does not visit. There is no merit in abstaining from what one is not tempted to do. We are never strong enough to risk walking into temptation. Temptations, like foul weather, come before we send for them. Temptations are everywhere, but so is the grace of God. If you would master temptation, you must first let Christ master you. Every temptation is an opportunity to get nearer to God. Luke 4:2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. Wuest for forty days being constantly put to the test by the devil as he solicited Him to sin. And He ate not even one thing during those days, and they having been brought to an end, He became hungry. Amplified (classic) For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted (tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry. forty: Ex 24:18 34:28 De 9:9,18,25 1Ki 19:8 Mt 4:2 tempted: Ge 3:15 1Sa 17:16 Heb 2:18 he ate nothing: Es 4:16 Jon 3:7 ended: Mt 21:18 Joh 4:6 Heb 4:15 John
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Cole comments that "We do not know nor can we speculate on whether the devil took on human form, whether he spoke audibly or whether he suggested the thought to Jesus without an audible voice. The point is, Satan hit Jesus with this temptation at the precise moment that Jesus was hungry. He always works like that—he hits you when you’re down (Ed: I would suggest he also hits us when we are "up" when we on a spiritual mountaintop so to speak). He bides his time until you are vulnerable, and then he moves in with his subtle suggestion of evil. I once heard a godly man tell of how he had been ministering in India for a month. On his return flight over the Atlantic, an attractive stewardess was especially kind to him, giving him a lot of attention. Being weary from traveling, he appreciated it. He had to spend the night in Washington, D.C. before catching his final flight home the next morning. As he went to get off the plane, he thanked the stewardess for her service. She responded by inviting him to come to her apartment for the night rather than going to his hotel. He was tired, he had been away from his wife for a month, and here was a very attractive young woman offering herself to him in a situation where no one would know. This was the opportune moment for Satan to hit! (Ed: Frankly in this situation most men would not even need the devil's enticement! Too often we say the devil made me do it, when the truth is, it is our rotten flesh that controlled our passion! The best defense? Be controlled by the Spirit!) By God’s grace, the man declined the offer, but he said that there was a brief moment in which it sounded very inviting. So be alert as to when you are vulnerable. That’s when the enemy will hit! (Sermon) Devil (1228) diabolos - described above. In Job 2:1 ("Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.") the Hebrew word for Satan is "satan"! It is translated in the Greek (Lxx) as "ho diabolos" ("the devil"). Remember that the nature of the devil is that he is a liar. Speaking to the Jews (who had made a superficial profession of faith in Him - Jn 8:30) Jesus said "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning (Ge 3:1-15), and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. (Ed: This is why believers should daily be renewing their mind with TRUTH found in the Word of God!) Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." And so we see him twist the truth (Jesus is the Son of God and has the power of God -- this is truth) attempting to ensnare Jesus, just like he (or his minions) attempt to do with believers today. We need to remember that he is " more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made" (Ge 3:1) and in our natural strength are no match for him. But filled with the Spirit like Jesus we can detect and deflect the fiery missiles of the evil one. As you read these comments are you filled with the Spirit like Jesus was? Jesus filled with the Spirit of truth was able to discern the one who was the spirit of a lie. If (SINCE) You are the Son of God - The Greek construction (first class conditional) indicates that the devil did not doubt that Jesus was the Son of God. This verse could be paraphrased “Since you are the Son of God.” Wuest has "In view of the fact that you are Son of God." So the devil begins by acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God. (cp Luke 4:3, 9, Mt 4:3, 6). As Warren
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Cole comments that "Satan’s offer, like all his offers, was a mixed bag of truth and error. Jesus later calls Satan “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Paul calls him “the god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4). But the Bible is also clear, and Satan cleverly alludes to it even here, that God alone sets up kings and grants authority to whomever He wills (Da 4:17, 25). Satan’s authority is at best delegated and temporary. The Bible is clear, as Jesus answers, that God alone is to be worshiped and served. But Satan mixes up the truth of his powerful authority with the error of worshiping him. This is why you always have to be on guard against false teachers. Invariably they present something that is true, but they mix it up with that which is false and unbiblical. One current popular example is a man who does a great job of setting forth who we are in Christ, how we are saints. But then he states that we are not to see ourselves as sinners, but only as saints who occasionally sin. That’s dangerous error, mixed up with truth! Satan baits his hook with truth so that we swallow the whole thing. (Sermon) All this domain (exousia) - Over what did Satan have authority (the right to rule and the might to rule)? From the passages below we learn that this present world and world system had been (temporarily) given into his hands and is now under his authority. “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler (Satan) of this world will be cast out. (Jn 12:31) Comment: Why will Satan be cast out? In context Jesus will be "lifted up from earth" (Jn 12:32) describing His crucifixion, the death knell to the rule of Satan. While the final casting out is presently "on hold" you can be fully assured it is certain because of finality and immutability of God's Word of promise ("will be cast out"). As Martin Luther said " Lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him." I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler (Satan) of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me (Jn 14:30) And concerning judgment, because the ruler (Satan) of the world has been judged. (Jn 16:11) We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 Jn 5:19-note Comment: The "world" represents human society under the power of evil and at war with God and His people. As John Stott says the world "is not pictured as struggling vigorously to be free but as quietly lying, perhaps even unconsciously asleep, in the embrace of Satan." Hiebert comments that the Devil "holds control over those in the world as a usurper, one “who controls it with tyrannical authority, organizing and orchestrating its life and activities to express his own rebellion and hatred against God.” Thus Jesus portrays the Devil as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). They ("the whole world" Rev 13:3, especially the earth dwellers [see this unique category] in Revelation) worshiped the dragon (Satan) because he gave his authority to the beast (the Antichrist received what the True Christ refused!); and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” (Revelation 13:4+) Comment: Fascinating! Christ refused the Devil's offer, while the Antichrist received the offer. Christ received the Crown (Rev 19:16+), while the Antichrist received condemnation and eternal torment (Rev 19:20+). Not to mention that the devil's authority to the Antichrist was "valid" for only 1260 days, 3.5 years, 42 months, time, times and half a time (See note)!
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Cole comments that "Like a clever salesman, Satan sets out his wares without mentioning the price tag. He always shows the pleasures of sin (which are real), but he doesn’t mention the stiff consequences that inevitably follow. “Worship me and I’ll give you dominion over all the kingdoms of the earth.” Sounds good! But he fails to mention that Jesus will then be the servant of Satan, not of the Father, that the holy union between Father and Son will be forever broken and that Jesus’ mission as Savior will be ruined. Satan still works that way: “Give in and enjoy the pleasures of sex like all your friends are doing! Why deprive yourself? Life is short, this may be your only opportunity.” He doesn’t mention the risk of venereal disease (including AIDS), or pregnancy, or the spiritual and emotional consequences of giving yourself to someone outside of God’s design of lifelong marriage. He dangles before you the good feelings of taking drugs or getting drunk, but he hides the ruined lives of the drug addict or drunkard on the streets. And, of course, he never sets before you the eternal wrath of God! (Sermon) TODAY IN THE WORD A recent article in the Wall Street Journal told of a man living in Taiwan who claims the title of governor of Fukien Province. The problem is that Fukien, which is on the Chinese mainland, already has a governor who rules the affairs of its 27 million citizens. The other man's claim goes back to 1949, when the Nationalists fled China for Taiwan (then known as Formosa) after their defeat by the Chinese Communists. The bottom line is that this Taiwanese man's claim to rule Fukien Province is essentially worthless. He has an office and a staff and carries on as if he were governor. But he has no real authority to rule at all. Satan has also been carrying on as if he were a legitimate ruler. But at the temptation of Christ Satan's claims were proven to be false, and he was exposed as a temporary usurper. The analogy doesn't hold at every point, of course. Unlike the ""governor"" in today's illustration, Satan does have real power. And at least for now, the kingdoms of the unbelieving world do lie in the devil's lap. But one day Jesus Christ will return as Ruler of all. The temptation of Christ is an example of spiritual warfare without parallel. We can only read the text and watch awestruck as Jesus engages Satan in face-to-face battle. We do not believe that it was even possible for the sinless Son of God to yield to Satan's offers. For that we can be eternally grateful! Whereas Adam and Eve had fallen to the serpent's temptation, there in the desert Jesus refused the temptation to bypass the cross. He also refused to go outside of the Father's will for His physical needs of food and protection. We will never be tested to the same degree or with the same effects as Jesus was tested. But because He experienced temptation, He is sympathetic to us in our need (Heb. 4:14-16). And we can imitate Jesus' example by drawing on God's Word to refute and defeat Satan. TODAY ALONG THE WAY If you want to turn today into an extraordinary Monday, consider the benefits available to you because Jesus endured and triumphed over temptation. A Tempting Opportunity Read: Luke 4:1-13 If You will worship before me, all will be Yours. —Luke 4:7 The biggest theft in Philadelphia’s history was carried out by a couple of men who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. According to witnesses, a yellow container fell out of an armored truck. Two motorists following the truck jumped out, grabbed the object, and sped off laughing. The driver discovered later that the rear door had not been secured properly, allowing it to swing open and the money to fall out. The container had in it 12,000 one-hundred-dollar bills, which is 1.2 million dollars! A criminal mind would interpret such a stroke of fortune as a gift from God. But in more subtle ways, all of us are tempted to assume that an unusual opportunity carries with it divine approval. Yet we see how wrong such thinking is when we consider the experience of Jesus in the wilderness. We need a strength to keep us true And straight in everything we do; We need God's power to keep us strong When we are tempted to do wrong. —Anon. Satan tempts us to get the worst out of us; God tests us to get the best out of us. Luke 4:8 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Get (KJV): Mt 4:10 16:23 Jas 4:7 1Pe 5:9 for (KJV): Lu 4:4 De 6:13 10:20 Mt 4:10 Rev 19:10 22:9 only: 1Sa 7:3 2Ki 19:15 Ps 83:18 Isa 2:11 John
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Cole - Did you know that outside of the Gospels, there are only four references to demon-possession in the whole Bible: two in the Old Testament (Saul, 1Sa. 16:14 ff.; the deceiving spirits in the mouths of Ahab’s prophets, 1Ki 22:22 ff.) and two in the Book of Acts (the Philippian servant girl, Acts 16:16 ff.; the sons of Sceva, Acts 19:13 ff.; see Norval Geldenhuys, Luke [Eerdmans], p. 174)? It seems that when Jesus began to minister, the powers of hell knew that they were in a battle to the death, and so Satan unleashed his forces to oppose Jesus. (ED: Or better, the sovereign God allowed them to be manifest so that men could see Jesus had power over the demons!) (Jesus Lord Over All) The spirit of an unclean (akathartos) demon (daimonion) - Luke refers to demons 23 times in his Gospel, this is the only verse he does so with this lengthy combination of terms. Jesus' first work is seen in His confrontation with the spiritual forces of darkness, making a point about where the fundamental battle is as He seeks to deliver humanity from that dark domain (cf Col 1:12-14+). The spirit that controlled this person was an "unclean" demon, which is a bit redundant to me as their are NO "clean" demons. He may have added this as some Greeks distinguished clean and unclean spirits. However, all are filthy and foul! THOUGHT - We do well to remember that when we are suddenly assaulted by foul or filthy thoughts (or old foul memories are stirred up)! While the source certainly could be our foul fallen flesh, it could also be fiery demonic missiles assaulting our mind (Eph 6:16+). A T
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Cole - There is much confusion today because some teach that Jesus’ promise to the disciples, that they would do greater works than He did (John 14:12), means that we should routinely be seeing miracles of healing and even resurrections from the dead. If that’s what Jesus meant, then Paul was in sin when he told Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach ailments (1 Tim. 5:23). He should have told him to claim his healing by faith. Paul must have lacked faith when he told Timothy that he left Trophimus sick at Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20). Why didn’t he heal him? When the author to the Hebrews wrote to this second-generation church, they had to be reminded of the signs and wonders that the apostles had performed (Heb. 2:4). It is obvious that those miracles already had diminished in frequency. To claim that we should be experiencing the same frequency of miracles that Jesus did is to misunderstand the purpose of miracles in the Bible. Contrary to what many think, miracles are not uniformly distributed throughout the Bible. They occur mostly in clusters around the time of Moses, again with Elijah and Elisha, a few in Daniel’s time, and at the time of Christ and the apostles. These were all crucial periods of God’s dealings with His people. There were several reasons for Jesus’ miracles. First, they authenticate His person and teaching, proving Him to be the Messiah sent by the Father (see Luke 7:20-22). Second, the miracles show us who Jesus is. He feeds the 5,000 and claims to be the bread of life. He claims to be the light of the world and opens the eyes of a man born blind. Third, the miracles give symbolic lessons of spiritual truth. The sick and the dead represent the human race, broken under sin. Without Christ, they are helpless. But when He speaks the word, they are instantly cured. Thus the miracles show us God’s great gift of salvation. Finally, the miracles show us either implicitly or explicitly how we should respond to Jesus Christ. We must come to Him in our utter helplessness and cast ourselves totally on His mercy and power. The miracles also warn us how not to come to Jesus, since many sought after Him not so that they could follow Him as Lord, but just to use Him for their own selfish purposes. An evil and adulterous generation seeks after miracles. Let me give some brief guidelines about seeking God’s miraculous healing today. First, check your motive. God’s glory, not your comfort, should be foremost (Phil. 1:20). Second, submit to the Lord, who knows better than you do what is best in any situation. Paul thought it would be best to get rid of the thorn in his flesh. God knew otherwise (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Third, don’t limit God by unbelief (Mark 6:5, 6). God is able to do the impossible, if it’s His will. So, pray for miraculous healing, believing that God is able, but recognize that it may not be His will. Fourth, look for the spiritual lessons God is trying to teach you in the trial. There may be a sin you need to confess (James 5:13-16). You may need to learn to trust God in a greater way (2 Cor. 1:8, 9). You may need to learn to focus more on the things above and the hope of heaven (Col. 3:1-4). You may need to rearrange your priorities (Matt. 6:33). God uses affliction to conform us to the image of His Son, and so instant, miraculous healing is often not His will. (Luke 4:31-44 Jesus—Lord Over All) Luke 4:37 And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district. Young's Literal - and there was going forth a fame concerning him to every place of the region round about. the report: Lu 4:14 Isa 52:13 Mt 4:23-25 9:26 Mk 1:28,45 6:14 Luke 4:31-34 Jesus' Authority over Demons, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 4:31-34 Jesus' Authority over Demons, Part 2 - John MacArthur Luke 4:31-37 Jesus' Authority over Demons, Part 3 - John MacArthur Luke 4:31-44 Jesus—Lord Over All - Steven Cole Luke 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related passage Mark 1:28+ "And immediately the news (the noun akoe = hearing, then report, news, fame) about Him went out everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee." "The Surrounding District" - Galilee Source: ESV global study Bible YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN. And the report (echos) about Him was spreading (ekporeuomai) into every locality in the surrounding district (perichoros) - No emails, no texting, just word of mouth from one person to another. Indeed, although they had no texting capability, the radical message "spread like wildfire"! Miracles always seem to draw a great amount of attention! The surrounding district (perichoros) refers to the district of Galilee (Mk 1:28+, cf Lk 4:31). The word for report is echos which could depict this report "roaring" throughout the district of Galilee because it was indeed that "earth shaking" (so to speak)! Luke's use of the word echos in fact suggests that it would have difficult for anyone in Galilee to claim ignorance of Jesus' marvelous words and miraculous works! The people were struck with amazement, and the sound of this amazement (figuratively speaking) went through throughout the district just as would happen in the propagation of a sound when a bell was sharply struck. Spreading (first in the Greek sentence for emphasis) is (ekporeuomai (used in Lk 4:22 "the gracious words which were falling from His lips") the same verb is used to describe the dead who will come out of their tombs in Jn 5:29 and the demons coming out of men in Mt 17:21. There is an interesting play on words - the words coming out of Jesus' mouth produced the coming out of the demons, which led to the coming forth of His fame throughout the land. Report (2279)(echos a late form of a primitive word eche = noise, sound) refers to a loud or confused noise ("echo"), a roar, a sound (Acts 2:2; Heb 12:19; Ps 150:3). Figuratively echos referred to fame or rumor (the former in Lk 4:37). Jesus uses echos to describe signs in the end times which include "the roaring of the sea and the waves" (Lk 21:25). Luke uses echos to describe the "noise like a violent rushing wind" signifying the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost and the birth of the Church (Acts 2:2) The writer of Hebrews uses echos to describe the frightening "blast of a trumpet" coming from Mt Sinai signifying God's awe producing presence and power (Heb 12:19). Echos - 4x in 4v - Usage: blast(1), noise(1), report(1), roaring(1). Lk. 4:37; Lk. 21:25; Acts 2:2; Heb. 12:19 Echos - 23x in 23v in the Septuagint - 1 Sam. 4:15; 1 Sam. 14:19; Ps. 9:6; Ps. 42:4; Ps. 65:7; Ps. 77:16; Ps. 150:3; Prov. 11:15; Isa. 13:21; Jer. 47:3; Jer. 51:16; Jer. 51:42; Dan. 3:7; Dan. 3:10; Dan. 3:15; Joel 3:14; Amos 5:23 Surrounding district (4066)(perichoros from perí = around + choros = region, place) literally means around a place, i.e., surrounding, neighboring, or around the region. The neighborhood with its inhabitants. Perichoros is used often with the preceding definite article (tes) which gives it the sense of describing the surrounding region, the region around, the country roundabout (Mt. 14:35; Mk 1:28; 6:55; Luke 3:3; 4:14, 37; 7:17; 8:37; Acts 14:6). Perichoros is used figuratively to describe the inhabitants of a certain region (Mt. 3:5; Lxx - Ge 13:10, 11; Dt. 3:13, 14) All the uses of perichoros are in the Gospels (except one use in Acts) and speak primarily of Jesus' renown spreading through the various districts of the land. One use refers to the renown of John the Baptist (Lk 3:3). Perichoros - 9x in 9v - Usage: country(1), district around(2), surrounding district(6), surrounding region(1). Matthew 3:5 Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; Matthew 14:35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; Mark 1:28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee. Luke 3:3 And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. Luke 4:37 And the report about Him was spreading into every locality in the surrounding district. Luke 7:17 This report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district. Luke 8:37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned. Acts 14:6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; Perichoros - 22x in 21v in the Septuagint - Gen. 13:10; Gen. 13:11; Gen. 13:12; Gen. 19:17; Gen. 19:28; Deut. 3:4; Deut. 3:13; Deut. 3:14; Deut. 34:3; 1 Chr. 5:16; 2 Chr. 4:17; 2 Chr. 16:4; Neh. 3:9; Neh. 3:12; Neh. 3:14; Neh. 3:16; Neh. 3:17; Neh. 3:18; Neh. 12:28; Est. 9:12 Luke 4:38 Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's home. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. he: Mt 8:14,15 Mk 1:29-31 1 Co 9:5 they asked: Lu 7:3,4 Mt 15:23 Joh 11:3,22 Jas 5:14,15 Luke 4:38-44 Jesus: The Divine Deliverer, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 4:38-44 Jesus: The Divine Deliverer, Part 2 - John MacArthur Luke 4:31-44 Jesus—Lord Over All - Steven Cole Luke 4:38-39 Fever and Its Cure - C H Spurgeon Luke 4:39 The Ministry of Gratitude - C H Spurgeon Luke 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Two parallel descriptions of the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law Mark 1:29-30+ And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew (PETER'S BROTHER), with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever (puretos); and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her.