HELP - how was Jesus TEMPTED - (discussion with Protestant)

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phil8888

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Hi guys,

In what way was Jesus tempted? My impression is that he was externally tempted by Satan but that internally he wasn’t struggling or anything to avoid sin. My Protestant friend seems to think Jesus had temptation the same as us, so he was internally tempted.

Any insight, especially Bible verses for this Bible-only Christian.

Thanks.
Phil
 
Since Jesus had two natures, human and divine, I think the Gospel writer is showing the human nature of Jesus, that even HE could be tempted by Satan, while he was vulnerable, fasting in the desert.
This event also taught us that we can tell Satan to leave us alone, just as Jesus did.

Early heresies disputed his dual nature. They could not grasp that Jesus was not just a “good human” or that he was “the son” of God. I think it was called Jansenism.

What is the problem the protestant is having with Jesus being tempted? Jesus was “on retreat” and alone, a little weaker, and that’s why Satan tried to take advantage of the situation.
 
Katrina5 said:
Since Jesus had two natures, human and divine, I think the Gospel writer is showing the human nature of Jesus, that even HE could be tempted by Satan, while he was vulnerable, fasting in the desert.
This event also taught us that we can tell Satan to leave us alone, just as Jesus did.

Early heresies disputed his dual nature. They could not grasp that Jesus was not just a “good human” or that he was “the son” of God. I think it was called Jansenism.

What is the problem the protestant is having with Jesus being tempted? Jesus was “on retreat” and alone, a little weaker, and that’s why Satan tried to take advantage of the situation.
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I heard Patrick Madrid say Jesus could not be internally tempted. Ultimately Jesus could not sin. Therefore he would not really be fighting temptation. If you know what I mean.
 
devil tells him to turn stones into bread. the devil takes Jesus to the top of the temple and tells him to jump off and that the angles would save him. and the devil takes Him to the top of a mountan and tells him to worship him and he will have all the kingdoms of the world.

[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 4:1-11[/BIBLEDRB]

as 100% man and 100% God it is not inconceivable that he could have been tempted by the pleasures of the flesh.
 
VetA said:
devil tells him to turn stones into bread. the devil takes Jesus to the top of the temple and tells him to jump off and that the angles would save him. and the devil takes Him to the top of a mountan and tells him to worship him and he will have all the kingdoms of the world.

[BIBLEDRB]Matthew 4:1-11[/BIBLEDRB]

as 100% man and 100% God it is not inconceivable that he could have been tempted by the pleasures of the flesh.
Click to expand...
logically, how could it be possible that he could not sin, yet he could be tempted to sin? I know the devil did these things but they were tests. if someone tempted me with drugs, I would have no desire for them. so I could not have internal conflict, but you could still say I was “tempted”, because the person is tempting me.
 
[BIBLEDRB]Hebrews 4:15
For we have not a high priest, who can not have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin.[/BIBLEDRB]

This seems to help your friend. Perhaps this is what he’s basing his conclusions upon.

Betsy
 
I personally believe that Jesus could have sinned but chose not to do so. He was true man in every respect. Also, He was truly God. God can do anything He wants to do. If God wants to sin, I believe He can do so. It would radically change the universe from what it has been for 14 billion years, in a way I’m sure I can never understand. But God CAN do anything He wants to do. I’m just glad he doesn’t want to. What would the universe be like without a sinless, loving God?
 
jrgiancola said:
I personally believe that Jesus could have sinned but chose not to do so. He was true man in every respect. Also, He was truly God. God can do anything He wants to do. If God wants to sin, I believe He can do so. It would radically change the universe from what it has been for 14 billion years, in a way I’m sure I can never understand. But God CAN do anything He wants to do. I’m just glad he doesn’t want to. What would the universe be like without a sinless, loving God?
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See, now, this is a sort of paradoxical question. God is able to do anything He wants to. However, what is sin? Sin is going against God and His will. I am not sure though if God can go against His own will because anything He chooses to do since He is truth itself, becomes truth and is thus, not a sin. God is the ultimate in what is right and can change His mind about what is right and wrong, but, to sin, I don’t think it could happen. Anyway, Jesus was tempted only because He was fully Human as well as fully divine and was thus humanly tempted. Simple as that.

But, really, there is not even any need for contemplation of such questions as ‘can God sin?’ because it is a waste of time pondering that which is not necessary to know.
 
Katrina5 said:
Early heresies disputed his dual nature. They could not grasp that Jesus was not just a “good human” or that he was “the son” of God. I think it was called Jansenism.
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No, Jansenism was something else:

Jansenism

It bordered on Calvinism.

In Nestorianism, the human Jesus and the divine Jesus were two distinct persons.
 
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