Temptation's "Order of Operations"

The devil has long since been "canceled out” from the loving equation between God and every living thing. And, like any relationship, the only trespassing option is through temptation. A closer look into the ‘congruency’ of the Satan's tactics helps solve the equation. So let’s re-direct the scene where Jesus Himself was tempted by Satan:

Temptation number one (Matthew 4:3):

"And when the tempter came to him, he said, ‘If thou be the Son of God…(let's pause right here!)”

Temptation will always start out with a confrontational doubt: one perception trying to bully another. It’s the origin of peer pressure and oppression. It is a secular faith simply hoping for a weak will.

The reality is Satan already knew. The real goal was to get his foot in the psychological door, and lure the animation of a truth with a dare. A tempter’s plan is consistent. They invite self-perception into a game that it doesn’t have to play and wouldn’t even benefit from. Can you imagine a blind man approaching an African American and saying, "If you’re really black, than prove it by [suggesting a stereotype.]” Let alone being offended, this tempted man is unlikely to entertain this challenge at all! The moral of this visual is that you’re not responsible for what tempters do or do not "see.” Accordingly, the truest reply would be "I am that I am (Exodus 3:12).”

‘Okay... from the top!”

(Matthew 4:3)

And when the tempter came to him, he said, ‘If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the devil waited 40 days before he aimed his temptation. And I don’t think that his edible method of proof was a miscellaneous pick. Can you guess how long the body can go without food? You got it! Let’s solve this equation:

Tempters use your own atmosphere and physiology against you for accuracy. Whether it be sexual, violent, or political, this is the game plan behind it. The devil wants to make your complex nature its own Judas. This way a betrayal of righteousness still at least feels  right (because the battle is within). That's why a fighter burglarizes your comfort zone, or a bribe is spontaneous, this is why a wicked decision practically gets "room service." 

Temptation two (Matthew 4:5-6):

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, ‘He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.’

For starters, this temptation is merely a ‘substitution’ method of the same tactic in temptation one. Satan was trying to use Jesus as a puppet to temp God. Most cowards grab a hostage whenever they’re face consequence. They’re practically allergic to the idea of being direct.

Next, the scripture Satan referenced (Psalms 91:11-12) was just as real as his tactic: (1) Relocate a person to an unstable predicament to heighten anxiety, (2) Feed them reasonable knowledge to adopt (3) Make sure the obedient reflex pronounces disobedience in the real  relationship. The ‘pinnacle of the temple’ was that unstable predicament strategy in this case. The goal is to get the person to "think fast.” Remember this next time you notice a victim of temptation saying, "it just happened!” or "…and-the-next-thing I knew...” Strategically, evil opportunities hate the traffic of a person going for a walk, taking a deep breath, and expressing how they truly feel, because they know that sin needs a momentum. No doubt the devil knew another verse ironically by Jesus’ little brother "…be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19)”  

The scariest thing about temptation number two is that its effectiveness depends on ignorance. This is a huge problem in a world where people usually hire designated thinkers from themselves. If temptation catches them without their minister, lawyer, or therapist, they are completely vulnerable. The Pharisees not only knew the Bible like the back of their hand, the actually wore the Bible on the back of the hand through paralytics with scriptures. Not every shepherd should lead. Accordingly, the sheep of today should follow the deductive routes.

Temptation three (Matthew 4:7-8):

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.    

Temptation guarantees a shortcut to fortune and fame. Also, they will involve an actual visual of having it all. Again the devil is crafty, but his recipe for temptation is so consistent and simple, it’s laughable. So here is a supernatural "hack” into this temptation:

First, the perception of "wealth” desired is a counterfeit one. Being rich is simply having artificial power. And life is ultimately a happiness contest. Both wealth and happiness, by default, are parallel.  But they criss-cross through public opinion. Let us remember: 

 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (Luke 16:13).”

 As public opinion ‘falls down and worships” an artificial power, corrupt businesses have become aware that by obtaining money, they will have a Classical Conditioning effect upon society. Provided they have enough wealth, they will own the ability to echo the devil’s proposal to its employees, its competition, and even the Criminal Justice System "fall down and worship me.”