Christian Living
How to live and walk in the Power of God's Word
The Temptation of Jesus
Read (Matt 4:1-11)
There are two points to note about this passage when applying it to our lives:
( Submission to the Authority of God's Word.
( Developing a Devotional Reflex.
Submission to the Authority of God's Word.
Jesus submitted to the Authority of God's Word. In His temptation with Satan, he used scripture as his sole authority when counteracting the devils temptations.
Having lost the first challenge, Satan in his persistence, turns to scripture, twisting it as he quotes Psalm 91:11-12 and uses it just opposite to its proper meaning. These verses were meant to encourage trust in God, Satan used them to doubt God.
Jesus was ready for this and counters again with the Word of God, properly applied, comparing scripture with scripture.
No matter how well the devil knew scripture, he could not effectively wield it against its author, the Word of God himself. He was not submitted to the Authority of the word of God, therefore his quoting of any scripture would lack any power.
James says to "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7)
When you come under the authority of God's Word, you receive the right to exercise the authority of that Word.
We have the same weapon at our disposal: "The sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God" (Eph 6:17). He met all three temptations with scriptural truth.
This teaches us an important lesson, that temptations must be combated by a Scriptural response, not fighting in our own strength. Victory over spiritual struggles can only come through study of God's Word. Only God's Word has the authority to drive Satan away.
So when you are tempted, use the authority of God's word. You can wield the full authority of God's Word against Satan.
When we submit our lives to the authority of the bible, we can say like Isaiah. "He made my mouth like a sharpened sword". (Is 49:2)
The Word of God demands your obedience. Don't just acknowledge the authority of the Word; submit to the process's of it.
Developing a Devotional Reflex.
Jesus was tempted, but he responded with a reflex action, he quoted scripture.
Remember, you can only wield what is written on your heart.
Spend time with him each day and you will develop the same reflex action.
Store up God's Word in your heart, memorize scripture, it goes into the storehouse of your heart and can be later drawn on. What is in your heart will come quickly to you mouth when it is needed. God wants the Word in you, inscribed on your heart and on your mind. The treasure of His Word, ready and available to be used to minister encouragement, comfort and instruction to another.
The temptations we face, day by day and at critical moments, may be different from those of Jesus, but they have the same point. They are not simply trying to entice us into committing this or that sin. They are trying to distract us, to turn us aside, from the path of servanthood to which God has commissioned us.
The enemy will do everything possible to distract us and thwart God's plan.
Ephesians six says to put on the "Whole armour of God" in order to withstand all the wiles of the devil. (Eph 6) Resist and be steadfast in the faith. Jesus shows us here how to resist. He was steadfast in that he is The Faith, and he wielded the Word of God as a sword against the enemy of the truth
In Summary
We are to follow Jesus' example. During temptation, trouble or trial your response will be the living Word of God.
When your heart and mind are aligned with the truth of God's Word, your words take on the authority of God's Word.
Reflexes come from devotional discipline, a regular habit of spending time with the Lord and reading his Word. Store up scripture in your heart and know how to use it.
Allow God's Word to take root in your heart. Remember it's not just education, but Transformation through God's Word.
Remember your calling, to bring God's light into the world. Say a firm 'No' to the voices that lure you back into the darkness.
Submit to the Word, embrace it, apply it and live it.
© Phil Russ 2007
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