Matthew 4:4 “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Here in Matthew chapter four Jesus is face to face with the old dragon himself, Satan. Satan had waited until Jesus was at His weakest point because he does not fight fair, but came to Jesus and approaches us when we are at our weakest point. Jesus, here is drawing Satan out to show you and I his very best shots. A few things to take note of: 1.) Satan sews discontentment and tries to deceive Jesus into thinking that God the Father is not giving His son the best. He questions whether the Father will truly take care of Him and tries to get Jesus to navigate off course and tempt God Himself. 2.) Satan takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and tells Jesus that if the Father really cares about Him make Him prove it by throwing yourself off this pinnacle and He’s said His angels will catch you and protect you. 3.) Satan takes Jesus to a high mountain and tempts Jesus to take a shortcut to get what God has already promised. He does the same with you and I. He says if you just worship and bow down to me right now, submit to me right here, I can give you what you want instantly. In our culture we call it instant gratification. Jesus was not falling for any of it. For each attack it’s interesting to see what Jesus did, but it is equally interesting to see what Jesus did not do.
Jesus did not: BIND THE ENEMY, SPEAK IN TONGUES, OR BEGIN TO PRAISE GOD AT THAT MOMENT SAYING HOW SATAN HATED PRAISE TO GOD.
What did He do? He said, “It Is Written.” You see, when coming face to face with the great serpent of old, the one who Isaiah 14 says all the earth will marvel at him because he troubled entire nations and kingdoms… Jesus stood on and Jesus stood under THE WORD OF GOD. Truly, knowing, believing and living God’s Word is the key to overcoming temptation. When you are living and enjoying a real relationship with our living Lord and hearing from Him in His Word we are ready to combat and stand against the wiles of the devil.
May you grow in Christ and in His Word more and more this week. In Jesus’name!
By His Spirit,
Pastor Bill