Behold Your God-6 quotes

"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries

BEHOLD YOUR GOD, part 6 -

See The Strength Of Temptations He Endured quotes

1) “But Christ was unmoved. He felt the strength of this temptation; but He met it in our behalf, and conquered.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 255.

“He has taken our nature upon him, and has himself felt the force of our temptations.” Bible Echo, January 15, 1889 par 9.

“Christ was suffering as the members of the human family suffer under temptation...” Selected Messages, book 3, p 129.

“For our sake He exercised a self-control stronger than hunger or death.” Desire of Ages, p 117.

“[Christ was] touched with the feelings of our infirmities...[and] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.

“The Lord will hear. He knows how strong are the inclinations of the natural heart, and He will help in every time of temptation.” Testimonies, vol 5, p 177.

2) How could Christ experience these natural downward pulls towards sin that are common to fallen, sinful human beings, and yet still be without the taint of sin?

Jesus Christ was both God and man, divine and human, in the same Being. His divine nature was naturally pure and completely unfallen, while His human nature was naturally sinful and fully fallen. As Christ was both God and human in one Person, then the divine unfallen nature and the human fallen nature were mysteriously blended. This blending of the two natures allowed Christ’s human nature to be fully without the taint of sin, and yet still allow Him to experience all the natural downward desires of the fallen nature towards sin which are common to all humanity. As long as Christ did not choose to sin in the least degree, He still retained His absolute unfallen purity from His divine nature which enabled Him to be that perfect innocent Victim that was absolutely necessary in order to fulfill the plan of our Redemption and become our Substitute and Sacrifice for sin. While at the same time He could be that perfect example for fallen human beings to follow of how to also resist the internal natural desires and indeed condemn sin in the flesh!

Christ’s human nature was fallen and sinful just like our humanity is, which meant that He felt all the strength and force of the fallen sinful nature naturally desiring to give in to the temptation and commit sin. The difference is that Christ never committed any sin, but we have. His own desires and passions were always to do God’s will, but to do so meant that He always had to resist the natural desires and passions of His fallen and sinful human nature.

“He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in possessing like passions. As the sinless One, His nature recoiled from evil. He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and privilege. He required all the stronger divine support and comfort which His Father was ready to impart to Him, to Him who had, for the benefit of man, left the joys of heaven and chosen His home in a cold and thankless world.” Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 455.

“Though He had all the strength of passion of humanity, never did he yield to do one single act which was not pure and elevating and ennobling.” In Heavenly Places, p 155.

3) “Every sin, every discord, every defiling lust that transgression had brought, was torture to His spirit.” Desire of Ages, p 111.

“He realized the strength of indulged appetite and of unholy passion that controlled the world.” Review and Herald, August 4, 1874.

“Christ alone had experience in all the sorrows and temptations that befall human beings. Never another of woman born was so fiercely beset by temptation; never another bore so heavy a burden of the world's sin and pain. Never was there another whose sympathies were so broad or so tender. A sharer in all the experiences of humanity, He could feel not only for, but with, every burdened and tempted and struggling one.” Education, p 78.

“Unless there is a possibility of yielding, temptation is no temptation. Temptation is resisted when man is powerfully influenced to do a wrong action; and, knowing that he can do it, resists, by faith, with a firm hold upon divine power. This was the ordeal through which Christ passed.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 132.

“Jesus was placed where His character would be tested. It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve His purity. He was subject to all the conflicts which we have to meet, that He might be an example to us in childhood, youth, and manhood.” Desire of Ages, p 71.

These inspired passages reveal that Christ experienced the same natural inward downward pulls and desires to sin that are inherently part of fallen nature and sinful flesh, and was constantly on guard to resist these fierce temptations.

4) How powerful did these natural desires and temptations become?

“In order to carry out the great work of redemption, the Redeemer must take the place of fallen man. Burdened with the sins of the world, he must go over the ground where Adam stumbled. He must take up the work just where Adam failed, and endure a test of the same character, but infinitely more severe than that which had vanquished him. It is impossible for man fully to comprehend Satan's temptations to our Saviour. Every enticement to evil which men find so difficult to resist, was brought to bear upon the Son of God in as much greater degree as his character was superior to that of fallen man.” General Conference Bulletin, February 25, 1895 par. 3, p 332-333.

“...the world's Redeemer was passing through inexpressible suffering to achieve the redemption of man....He had endured a more close and severe test than would ever be brought to bear upon man.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 288-289.

“Christ was tempted by Satan in a hundredfold severer manner than was Adam, and under circumstances in every way more trying.” Manuscript Releases, vol 8, p 40.

“It is impossible to take in the depth and the force of these temptations (to Christ) unless the Lord shall bring man where He can open these scenes before him by a revelation of the matter, and then it can only be but partially comprehended.

“But the facts of this history are not fable, but a living, acting, experience. [To deny this] would rob Jesus of His greatest glory--allegiance to God--which enshrouded Him as a garment in this world on the field of battle with the relentless foe, and He is not reckoned with the transgressor. He descended in His humiliation to be tempted as man would be tempted, and His nature was that of man, capable of yielding to temptation.” Manuscript Releases, vol 16, p 181-183.

5) “Jesus knows all about the strength of temptation”. Manuscript Releases, vol 8, p 66.

“He saw and felt it all, but His purpose remained steadfast.” Desire of Ages, p 111.

6) Any who wilfully continue to deny the truth that Christ took upon Himself our fallen nature and lived in sinful flesh, and any who continue to deny that Christ felt the same inward tendencies, downward pulls and inclinations toward sin which we experience when tempted, are actually believing a doctrine which is directly opposed to Christ and His gospel of salvation, and are truly arranging themselves against Christ!

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3.

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 7.

The "flesh" that these verses are referring to is not just the fact that Jesus was born in human flesh, but are talking about Christ having the same sinful flesh as you and me!

7) “Thus saith the Lord” - “It is written”:

“His (Satan’s) first temptation to Christ was upon appetite. He had, upon this point, almost entire control of the world, and his temptations were so adapted to the circumstances and surroundings of Christ that his temptations upon appetite were almost overpowering.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 274-175.

“Satan comes to man, as he came to Christ, with his overpowering temptations to indulge appetite.” Testimonies, vol 3, p 561.

“Then the tempter's voice was heard: ‘All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine’ [Luke 4:6, 7].

“This was the most subtle and overpowering temptation that Satan could bring against Christ in His human nature to unsettle His faith in His heavenly Father and to separate Him from God.” Manuscript Releases, vol 18, p 86.

“Christ was amazed with the horror of darkness which enclosed him. The temptations of Satan were almost overpowering. These words, ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me,’ were borne upon the sympathizing air, to his disciples, in tones of startling agony.” Signs of the Times, August 14, 1879.

8) “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:17.

“Jesus clothed His divinity with humanity that He might have an experience in all that pertains to human life.” Review and Herald, December 24, 1889 (vol 2, p 351).

“Christ became one with the human family....Thus He assured them of His complete identification with humanity.” Youth's Instructor, March 19, 1903 (p 564).

“As God He could not be tempted: but as a man He could be tempted, and that strongly, and could yield to the temptations. His human nature must pass through the same test and trial Adam and Eve passed through. His human nature was created; it did not even possess the angelic powers. It was human, identical with our own.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 129.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes BEHOLD YOUR GOD, part 6 - See The Strength Of Temptations He Endured quotes 1) “But Christ was unmoved. He felt the strength of this temptation; but He met it in our behalf, and conquered.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 255. “He has taken our nature upon him, and has himself felt the force of our temptations.” Bible Echo, January 15, 1889 par 9. “Christ was suffering as the members of the human family suffer under temptation...” Selected Messages, book 3, p 129. “For our sake He exercised a self-control stronger than hunger or death.” Desire of Ages, p 117. “[Christ was] touched with the feelings of our infirmities...[and] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. “The Lord will hear. He knows how strong are the inclinations of the natural heart, and He will help in every time of temptation.” Testimonies, vol 5, p 177. 2) How could Christ experience these natural downward pulls towards sin that are common to fallen, sinful human beings, and yet still be without the taint of sin? Jesus Christ was both God and man, divine and human, in the same Being. His divine nature was naturally pure and completely unfallen, while His human nature was naturally sinful and fully fallen. As Christ was both God and human in one Person, then the divine unfallen nature and the human fallen nature were mysteriously blended. This blending of the two natures allowed Christ’s human nature to be fully without the taint of sin, and yet still allow Him to experience all the natural downward desires of the fallen nature towards sin which are common to all humanity. As long as Christ did not choose to sin in the least degree, He still retained His absolute unfallen purity from His divine nature which enabled Him to be that perfect innocent Victim that was absolutely necessary in order to fulfill the plan of our Redemption and become our Substitute and Sacrifice for sin. While at the same time He could be that perfect example for fallen human beings to follow of how to also resist the internal natural desires and indeed condemn sin in the flesh! Christ’s human nature was fallen and sinful just like our humanity is, which meant that He felt all the strength and force of the fallen sinful nature naturally desiring to give in to the temptation and commit sin. The difference is that Christ never committed any sin, but we have. His own desires and passions were always to do God’s will, but to do so meant that He always had to resist the natural desires and passions of His fallen and sinful human nature. “He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in possessing like passions. As the sinless One, His nature recoiled from evil. He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and privilege. He required all the stronger divine support and comfort which His Father was ready to impart to Him, to Him who had, for the benefit of man, left the joys of heaven and chosen His home in a cold and thankless world.” Bible Commentary, vol 7, p 455. “Though He had all the strength of passion of humanity, never did he yield to do one single act which was not pure and elevating and ennobling.” In Heavenly Places, p 155. 3) “Every sin, every discord, every defiling lust that transgression had brought, was torture to His spirit.” Desire of Ages, p 111. “He realized the strength of indulged appetite and of unholy passion that controlled the world.” Review and Herald, August 4, 1874. “Christ alone had experience in all the sorrows and temptations that befall human beings. Never another of woman born was so fiercely beset by temptation; never another bore so heavy a burden of the world's sin and pain. Never was there another whose sympathies were so broad or so tender. A sharer in all the experiences of humanity, He could feel not only for, but with, every burdened and tempted and struggling one.” Education, p 78. “Unless there is a possibility of yielding, temptation is no temptation. Temptation is resisted when man is powerfully influenced to do a wrong action; and, knowing that he can do it, resists, by faith, with a firm hold upon divine power. This was the ordeal through which Christ passed.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 132. “Jesus was placed where His character would be tested. It was necessary for Him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve His purity. He was subject to all the conflicts which we have to meet, that He might be an example to us in childhood, youth, and manhood.” Desire of Ages, p 71. These inspired passages reveal that Christ experienced the same natural inward downward pulls and desires to sin that are inherently part of fallen nature and sinful flesh, and was constantly on guard to resist these fierce temptations. 4) How powerful did these natural desires and temptations become? “In order to carry out the great work of redemption, the Redeemer must take the place of fallen man. Burdened with the sins of the world, he must go over the ground where Adam stumbled. He must take up the work just where Adam failed, and endure a test of the same character, but infinitely more severe than that which had vanquished him. It is impossible for man fully to comprehend Satan's temptations to our Saviour. Every enticement to evil which men find so difficult to resist, was brought to bear upon the Son of God in as much greater degree as his character was superior to that of fallen man.” General Conference Bulletin, February 25, 1895 par. 3, p 332-333. “...the world's Redeemer was passing through inexpressible suffering to achieve the redemption of man....He had endured a more close and severe test than would ever be brought to bear upon man.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 288-289. “Christ was tempted by Satan in a hundredfold severer manner than was Adam, and under circumstances in every way more trying.” Manuscript Releases, vol 8, p 40. “It is impossible to take in the depth and the force of these temptations (to Christ) unless the Lord shall bring man where He can open these scenes before him by a revelation of the matter, and then it can only be but partially comprehended. “But the facts of this history are not fable, but a living, acting, experience. [To deny this] would rob Jesus of His greatest glory--allegiance to God--which enshrouded Him as a garment in this world on the field of battle with the relentless foe, and He is not reckoned with the transgressor. He descended in His humiliation to be tempted as man would be tempted, and His nature was that of man, capable of yielding to temptation.” Manuscript Releases, vol 16, p 181-183. 5) “Jesus knows all about the strength of temptation”. Manuscript Releases, vol 8, p 66. “He saw and felt it all, but His purpose remained steadfast.” Desire of Ages, p 111. 6) Any who wilfully continue to deny the truth that Christ took upon Himself our fallen nature and lived in sinful flesh, and any who continue to deny that Christ felt the same inward tendencies, downward pulls and inclinations toward sin which we experience when tempted, are actually believing a doctrine which is directly opposed to Christ and His gospel of salvation, and are truly arranging themselves against Christ! “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.” 1 John 4:1-3. “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 7. The "flesh" that these verses are referring to is not just the fact that Jesus was born in human flesh, but are talking about Christ having the same sinful flesh as you and me! 7) “Thus saith the Lord” - “It is written”: “His (Satan’s) first temptation to Christ was upon appetite. He had, upon this point, almost entire control of the world, and his temptations were so adapted to the circumstances and surroundings of Christ that his temptations upon appetite were almost overpowering.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 274-175. “Satan comes to man, as he came to Christ, with his overpowering temptations to indulge appetite.” Testimonies, vol 3, p 561. “Then the tempter's voice was heard: ‘All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine’ [Luke 4:6, 7]. “This was the most subtle and overpowering temptation that Satan could bring against Christ in His human nature to unsettle His faith in His heavenly Father and to separate Him from God.” Manuscript Releases, vol 18, p 86. “Christ was amazed with the horror of darkness which enclosed him. The temptations of Satan were almost overpowering. These words, ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me,’ were borne upon the sympathizing air, to his disciples, in tones of startling agony.” Signs of the Times, August 14, 1879. 8) “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:17. “Jesus clothed His divinity with humanity that He might have an experience in all that pertains to human life.” Review and Herald, December 24, 1889 (vol 2, p 351). “Christ became one with the human family....Thus He assured them of His complete identification with humanity.” Youth's Instructor, March 19, 1903 (p 564). “As God He could not be tempted: but as a man He could be tempted, and that strongly, and could yield to the temptations. His human nature must pass through the same test and trial Adam and Eve passed through. His human nature was created; it did not even possess the angelic powers. It was human, identical with our own.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 129.