The Four Temptations Common to Man
1. Matthew 4:1-4, Luke 4:1-4 Self-Preservation
2. Luke 4:5-8 Love or Worship [world-oikoumenē meaning "the
inhabited world."]
3. Matthew 4:5-7, Luke 4:9-13 Recognition, Notoriety
4. Matthew 4:9-11 Greed [world-kosmos the entire world.]
1. Self-Preservation:
1. Hezekiah: II Kings 18:1-20:21 As he was about to die.
2. Peter and John: Acts 4:23,24,29 More boldness.
3. Agabus: Acts 11:27-30 Receiving and acting on revelation
concerning the upcoming famine.
4. Jesus: Matthew 26:47-58 Allowing himself to be taken and
sacrificed when he could have had 12
legions of angels.
5. David: Psalm 51 Pleading with God so he could keep the spirit.
6. Peter: Acts 12:6,7 Sleeping on death's row.
7. Paul: Acts 17:23 On Mars Hill declaring the unknown God.
8. Jeremiah: Could have compromised. [Any of God's Prophets].
9. Captain of 50: II Kings 1:9-15 Invoking the mercy of Elijah.
2. Love or Worship: [This is a greed temptation also.]
1. Paul and Barnabas: Acts 14:8-20 When the Lycaonians thought that
they were gods.
2. Herod: Acts 12:20-23 Eaten of worms when he did not give God the
glory.
3. Peter: Acts 10:25 When Cornelius fell down and worshipped him.
4. God: John 3:16 For giving us His son.
5. God: Acts 2:4 Gift of holy spirit.
6. Festus: Acts 24:26,27 Kept Paul in prison.
7. Simon the Sorcerer: Acts 8:9-24 He was the great power of god.
8. Women possessed with the spirit of divination: Acts 16:16-24
3. Recognition, Notoriety:
1. Ananias and Sapphira: Acts 4:36-5:11 Sold a possession.
2. Paul: Philippians 3:4-10 His worldly credentials.
3. Solomon: II Chronicles 1:7-12 Asking for wisdom.
4. David: II Samuel 24:1-25 Numbering the people.
5. James and John: Mark 10:35-45 That they would sit at Jesus' right
and left hands in glory.
4. Greed:
1. Lot: Genesis 13:1-18 Choosing to live in Sodom territory.
2. Balaam: Numbers 22:1-ff Wanting riches.
3. Joseph: Genesis 40:22-45 Not calling his shots.
4. 4 Leprous Men: II Kings 7:1-20 Glad Tidings for all.
5. Gehazi: II Kings 5:20-27 After the healing of Naaman.