MARK DRISCOLL-ANOTHER FALLACY

In his sermons on alcohol and sexual sin, Mark Driscoll brings up the verse that says that Christ was tempted in every way that we are and then surmises that He may have been tempted to get drunk or have sex.

Here is what that verse actually means.

There are only three areas of temptation mentioned in the Bible: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.

We see these areas apparent in Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden. The tree looked good (lust of the eyes), it felt good to touch (lust of the flesh) and it was good to make one wise (pride of life.)

When Jesus was tempted by Satan on the mountain, He was tempted in these three ways as well. Jesus had been fasting for forty days and, like any man He was hungry. Satan told Jesus to turn the stones into bread (lust of the flesh.)

Next, Satan took Jesus to the top of the tower and told Jesus to throw Himself off it because the angels would rescue Him. This is an example of the temptation of the pride of life. People would have believed Jesus was the Messiah then; it would have given His ego a real boost.

Finally, Satan took Jesus to the top of a mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world. Satan told Jesus He could have all these kingdoms if He would worship the devil. This is an example of the temptation of the lust of the eyes. Jesus was seeing the world with all it's natural resources and riches.

Though Jesus was never tempted with sex or alcohol, we can be assured that He was indeed tempted in all the ways we are tempted. Alcohol looks good or tastes good, so maybe we should just keep drinking it. If we get drunk around these guys, we'll be popular with them. Jesus was tempted in all these three ways and he successfully resisted each time.

That person may look hot and/or you know that doing it with them would feel real good. If a girl has sex with a guy that she really likes maybe he will become her boyfriend, or if a guy does it with a girl who is popular then maybe he will become popular, too. Again, Jesus was tempted in all these three basic ways and He successfully resisted all three. Do the same.