Do not be surprised if you come into temptation after much seeking of the Lord because it is the Holy Spirit who leads us into the wilderness. Do not become alarmed if there is a great deal of satanic activity in connection with your trials because it is Satan who is allowed to test and sift us.

Every son of God must be examined thoroughly in each of the three realms.

At this point in our essay we are discussing the second temptation of Christ. The second temptation has to do with conquering sin.

God tempts no man. It was the devil who took Christ up into a high mountain representing the places of prestige, of fame, of status, of popularity, of pride and vanity, of soulish romanticism and exaltation, of living according to the lusts and impulses of our sinful nature.

What a tempting contrast this was to the harsh surroundings of the bleak wilderness of temptation! Satan always sets his traps for us where we are most vulnerable so there will be a possibility we will fall into the trap.

The second temptation was designed to be particularly inviting to the Lord Jesus, who is a king by Nature and by inheritance.

How Christ was shown all the kingdoms of the world (perhaps of all time) in such a brief moment must be explained in the supernatural realm. It is important for us to remember that our trials originate in the realm of spirits; therefore we ought not to be blaming people and natural circumstances for our problems and distresses.

People are not the cause of our pain. They merely are the tools the Lord uses to shape us.

The kingdoms of the world speak of being surfeited with food and drink, of unlimited riches, of harems, of power to move armies and launch navies, of subservience from other people, of freedom to make decisions and alter one's circumstances at will, and of fame.

All of the lust, glory, riches, fame, power, and other delights that can be imagined by the mind of man were presented as a gift to Christ during the depth of His pain and deprivation.

What would you have done? Where would we be if Christ had accepted? What will happen to those people who are trusting in you if you accept Satan's offer?

Of course, Satan cannot give Christ or you or me anything at all except as God permits. The Scripture states that God alone exalts one person and humbles another. The temptations of Christ were lies and deceptions all the way through.

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (Luke 4:6)

The kingdoms of the world of themselves are not evil, for we understand from the Scriptures that the Day is coming in which the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. If the kingdoms of the world were inherently evil, God would not give them to Christ for His inheritance.

The evil of the kingdoms of the world is the sin and rebellion against God that Satan has introduced into them.

To be continued.