Did the devil really try to tempt Jesus?

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Loml

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If the devil knew who Jesus was, as other demons in the NT did, why did he try to tempt Jesus in the desert? Surely he knew he could not succeed?
 
Arrogance. His great sin of rebellion was caused by pride - and that same pride no doubt enabled him to believe that he would, in fact, be able to overcome the “mere human” nature of the Incarnate Lord Jesus.
 
It just gives you an idea that he will tempt you when you least expect it,every second of the day. Be on guard, til the last moment of your breath.
 
Loml said:
If the devil knew who Jesus was, as other demons in the NT did, why did he try to tempt Jesus in the desert? Surely he knew he could not succeed?
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Why did the devil try to tempt Christ? Because He is without sin, what greater conquest could the devil have than successfully tempting God incarnate to sin? Of course it was going to fail but the devil is arrogant and thinks himself more powerful than God when really he has no power but only trickery and false promises.
 
PerfectTiming said:
Why did the devil try to tempt Christ? Because He is without sin, what greater conquest could the devil have than successfully tempting God incarnate to sin? Of course it was going to fail but the devil is arrogant and thinks himself more powerful than God when really he has no power but only trickery and false promises.
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I do not think the Devil sees himself more powerful than God, but as powerful as God. The only account we have in Scripture of his rebellion, he says “I will be like the Most High.” TO get to the OP, he saw himself as superior to Jesus because in his own eyes was equal to the divine nature, and clearly superior to the human nature. And you also have to remember what Jesus represented to Satan. Jesus was to permanently heal the damage done by Adam. He knew is days were numbered, so Stan did everything within his power to stop redemption form happening.
 
Because…what if he did succeed? I’d think, in the mind of the devil, it’s a possibility too good to pass up. He’d have to try.
 
Loml said:
If the devil knew who Jesus was, as other demons in the NT did, why did he try to tempt Jesus in the desert? Surely he knew he could not succeed?
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He didn’t know Who Jesus was, though. Satan is not ominiscient. Further, in his fallen state, he is far from wisdom, his overpowering self-love blinds him to it, though he has cunning and is a deceiver. He and his demon minions apparently are aware that Jesus is the Messiah (cf. Mark 1:24), but he has no further insight into the divine nature of the Messiah. Also, he is envious, and when he sees this Man arising in the midst of those he knows are God’s Chosen People, he is on the alert to test this Man to see if he (Satan) must have concern that his power is being overthrown and that lowly man will be raised far beyond the level he himself enjoyed.

So Satan, unaware of Jesus’ full identity (i.e., God Incarnate) but most probably knowing that He is the Messiah, desires Him to sin and presume on the mercy and protection of God. Anyone with an understanding of God’s providential care is sinning through presumption if he places himself deliberately in harm’s way to see if God will respond with His care - especially through a miraculous intervention (the Fundamentalist snake handlers come to mind). Jesus is not about to dance to Satan’s tune.
 
What I have read elsewhere agrees with Frances, the devil didn’t know Jesus was God. I have seen it offered that his temptings were to find out more about who Jesus is.
 
But Satan did know who he was, based in the second temptation, as he quotes a Messianic Psalm.
 
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