Russell Moore provides us with an excellent thesis on the Temptation of Christ” and all of the nuances of the temptations as well as that of Christ response. Along with this Moore does a wonderful job of addressing how we today are faced with temptations and how subtle Satan is in how he approaches us and dangles the temptations in front of us.
At first I thought how can Moore take a small section of scripture from Matthew 4 and write a 200 page book on the subject? In all honesty if you were one of the men at Promise Keepers in Boulder, CO when Rev. E.V. Hill taught this section of scripture you will remember that he only spoke for 10 minutes (he usually preaches over an hour). His main point, “When Satan comes at you with temptations just HIT HIM with the Word of God.” He then said, “do you understand that, just HIT HIM!”
The 50,000 men in the stadium started chanting, hit him, hit him, hit him. E.V. knew that he had made his point so he packed up his papers and walked off the podium. The men started chanting it even louder. As E.V. got to the tunnel to exit the stadium and got out of sight the chanting started to die down, so he turned around stepped back out and just thrust his Bible in the air and the chanting started again and lasted for 10 more minutes.
So, if we can get the point in just 10 minutes why write a book of 200 pages? Well the answer is that there is even more to this section of scripture and more deep theological truth that we can garner for a good exegesis of the passage. Moore gives us very practical examples of how we are affected today by temptation and what we need to learn.
One example is on page 86 in response to the first temptation about consuming food. Moore states, “The first temptation is not just about consuming food, it is about consuming, period. It is about our quest for economic security, our appetite for stuff.” Does that ring the truth bell for you? It did for me. We in America are obsessed it seems like to have all the newest gadgets and every material item that will ‘make our lives easier.’ Why does it not surprise us that the storage unit business is one of the fastest growing businesses in our country.
Moore goes on to say on page 87, “It is hardly legalism to ask such questions as, how much of this do we need? And how much are we giving away? And so on.”
He further states, “Self-control is, in this fallen world, counterintuitive and countercultural.” So, have you fallen to the temptation of Satan to obtain all that you can?
One more area of example. In regards to the temptation to throw himself off the pinnacle of the temple and allow the Angels to rescue him, Jesus says no. Moore points out that when it comes to vindicating ourselves regarding our faith in God’s protection or provision or position we do not need to be the ones striving to vindicate ourselves. We need to let God do the vindication for us. Moore states on page 116, “Public vindication is a critical part of God’s deliverance of his people. God doesn’t simply set a table for me, the Scripture says, he sets this table ‘in the presence of my enemies’ (Ps. 23:5)”
So, how is your faith? Do you allow God to vindicate you rather than fall victim to the temptations of Satan?
Well, I could go on and on but then you probably would stop reading.
So, stop reading this review and instead go to your favorite online book store and “click” on the “purchase this book” button and get a copy for yourself and enjoy it!
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