“If You Are a Son of God . . .”

3, 4. (a) Satan introduced the first two temptations with what words, and what may he have been trying to get Jesus to doubt? (b) How does Satan use similar tactics today?

³ Read Matthew 4:1-7. Satan introduced the first two temptations with the subtle words, “If you are a son of God.” Did Satan doubt that Jesus is God’s Son? No. That fallen angelic son of God knew full well that Jesus is God’s firstborn Son. (Col. 1:15) Satan no doubt also knew the words Jehovah spoke from heaven at Jesus’ baptism: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” (Matt. 3:17) Perhaps Satan wanted to get Jesus to doubt whether his Father was trustworthy and truly cared about him.

With the second temptation​—to jump off the battlement of the temple—​Satan, in a sense, asked: ‘Since you are God’s Son, do you really trust your Father to protect you?’