I am a Jesus pusher!!! In the temptations of Jesus, the devil has taken Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple. He is advising Him to leap off in a sensational act to launch His earthly ministry. Jesus replies, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God,’” (Matthew 4:7). The key to His statement is the verb tempt. It is a translation of the Greek word “ekpeirazo.” The normal Greek word for “tempt” is “peirazo” (see Matthew 4:1). One can easily see the prefix “ek” is the difference. This addition simply intensifies the action of the verb. It suggests that tempting man is one thing, but to tempt God is an entirely different matter. Satan has just crossed a line into a more serious suggestion.
The Greek word “peirazo” (tempt) is a morally neutral word. It simply means “to test.” It is for good or for evil determined by the character or nature of the one who is testing. If a self-sourced person is tempting God, it would be for the purpose of evil. He is challenging God. He is attempting to prove God wrong. If a Spirit-sourced person is tempting God – – – but wait! If the tempting is Spirit-sourced, this would mean God is tempting Himself! Why would God tempt, test, or challenge Himself? He would not! Therefore, the only time God will be tempted or tested, is by a self-sourced person who wants His own way! Jesus would not tolerate this suggestion, nor will I. Regardless of how the circumstances appear, He trusts His Father; so I will trust Him. Satan would cast doubts about Jesus’ motive. But I know Satan and I have embraced Jesus. As the Father loved Jesus, so Jesus has loved me. I will trust this love without question regardless of the appearances around me. I am a Jesus pusher!!!