“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”

John 8:44

Our passage today has a unique setting where the focus is on the signs of Jesus’ identity and mission. We read of a woman caught in adultery by the teachers of the law, their intent was not so much to punish the woman – even though that was important - but more importantly it was to stage a trap for Jesus and also to make a way of escape for the man who was part of the adulterous incident. Humiliation was aimed at the woman but Jewish laws required witnesses to charge her. So as the religious leaders had no witnesses, the law was altered a little to accommodate their agenda. The Romans did not allow the Jews to carry out the death sentence of this woman, John 18:31. According to the law, it required that both parties be executed. So if Jesus said to stone her – he was in conflict with the Romans and to say “do not stone her,” he was perceived as not supporting the law. Further reading reveals that Jesus gave testimony of being the Light of the world and those who followed would not walk in darkness John 8:12. He spoke of His origin, that He stands with the Father. He addresses the “throwing of stones'' and that anyone without sin may cast the 1st stone. As you read, you witness in your spirit of an intense dispute ensuing as to who Jesus is, claims about Abraham and the freedom found in the Son. In verses 37 & again in 40 Jesus boldly speaks forth of their intention to kill Him as One who spoke the truth He heard from God. Thus Jesus says, “you belong to your father the devil”. They were oriented toward Satan, bent on murder vs 37. and eventually would succeed. The appeal of temptation revealed their parentage,(“from beneath” John 8:23,24) it wasn’t God nor was it Abraham. The appeal of being convinced of their own preconceptions shows they did not really hear and understand what Jesus was saying. (Please read the full account for further insight)

This is the 3rd study on the topic of “Temptation”. We will examine the thought of how powerful the “Appeal of Temptation” can be. The word “appeal” carries the idea of attracting one’s attention to engage in some form of unholy conduct or a lower level of behaviour. Think of the appeal in this light: Let’s just say you are in court fighting through a case of being charged or sued for a perceived misconduct, etc. Because of being innocent of the alleged charge against you, you make an appeal to a higher court to not only substantiate your innocence but also to move from a lower court mentality. What you are doing is making a request for a reversal of a Lower Court decision by way of a heartfelt request for aid from a higher authority. So that being said, there is 2 ideas of thought being presented here: Our adversary tempts us to consider his appeal, if we choose to engage in wrongful behaviour, we have the results of that decision. However, if we appeal with a heartfelt repentive heart to the Lord, He will release His angels to have charge over you. As well, His Holy Spirit will present the way of escape based on the Word, to actualize the mercy and grace of God, giving you victory over that circumstance. What an awesome God we serve, He is our highest resource, able to cover you with His wings and bring you through The point I want to emphasize is that just because there may be an attraction to adjust your thinking and lifestyle appealing to you in your moment of discouragement, it will carry devastating results if we succumb to lower levels. Take Acton: cry out to the Lord, He will always make a way for you, His Word states that He doesn’t want any to fail, His promises are available to each of us continually. Don’t compare a temporary fix to your situation outside the provision of God. Live your life in the will of God.

Dr Henry Thiessen taught for many years on the topic of Systematic Theology, writing many informative books and articles on the various struggles and potential victories of the believer. In one instance, he wrote: “the fundamental components of temptation is that Satan's temptation may be summed up as appealing to man in this way: it made man desire what God had forbidden, to know what God has not revealed, and to be what God had not intended for him to be.”

God establishes boundaries in our personal relationship with Him. He allows us tremendous degrees of personal freedom to think, to act, and speak; but His Word clearly defines when your thoughts, deeds, and words transgress (offend/violate) His boundaries. Temptation always entices, always appeals to us to transcend God’s borders. It seduces you into thinking something or someone else other than God can meet your emotional, physical, or spiritual needs. Temptation is a trap of excess and indulgence, tripped by self-gratification. That trap need not be sprung

Remember these 3 signs will tell others that our Lord’s Father is our Father: a) we resemble our Father, b) we will give reverence to His Son, & c) we will receive His Word. Jesus gave us freedom, live your best life for Him