3. Who is the one who tempts us to disobey God? Matthew 4:3. Take careful note of James 1:13.
NOTE: ‘Christ’s victory was as complete as had been the failure of Adam. So we may resist temptation, and force Satan to depart from us. Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” James 4:7, 8. We cannot save ourselves from the tempter’s power; he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices; but “the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10. Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name.’ Desire of Ages, page 130.
4. What is Satan’s aim in tempting the race that was created in the image of God? Consider Revelation 12:9; Ephesians 6:11.
NOTE: ‘To the angels, the course followed by human beings seems strangely inconsistent. They see how plainly degradation is revealed on the side of unbelief and indulgence of appetite. They see how untiringly Satan is working to destroy the image of God in man. They wonder why beings dependent on their Creator for every breath they draw act so unreasonably and inconsistently; why they choose the side of the one who crucified Christ and who has filled the world with strife and envy and jealousy. . . . Christ is the Lord our Righteousness. Let us take our stand on His side now, just now. Let none be ashamed to acknowledge Christ as their Saviour, their counsellor, their guide, and their exceeding great reward. Is this sacrificing anything? Is it an honour to be numbered among Satan’s army? Those who make this choice gain nothing. Only death, eternal death, awaits them. Let those who are tempted to choose the world, to strive to gain the recognition of the world, remember that, unless they choose Christ here, they will not have the recognition of heaven. Tempted ones, whom have you chosen as your leader?’ The Upward Look, page 321.