TRUST THE WORD LIKE JESUS
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights He fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took Him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If You are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order His angels to protect You. And they will hold You up with their hands so You won’t even hurt Your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’” Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to You,” he said, “if You will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, You must worship the LORD your God and serve only Him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT)
Jesus, the Son of God, was tempted by the devil. That same devil, our great accuser and adversary, still roams this earth, looking for those that he might devour (see 1 Peter 5:8). He’s not relegated to hell, wearing a red leotard and poking sinners with a pitchfork. He’s real and actively engaged with all his spiritual forces in opposing those who follow Jesus.
As you can see in the passage above, every time the enemy came at Him, Jesus responded with God’s Word. Would you be able to respond like Jesus? How many Bible verses have you committed to memory? You may be thinking—I don’t have a great memory. I’m right there with you! But do you know how many song lyrics I know? How many random, useless facts are rolling around in my head that will never help me even if I wind up on Jeopardy? Tons! What if you and I made it our goal to memorize Scripture? To take up the Sword of the Spirit (see Ephesians 6:17) and be prepared to stand and fight the spiritual forces that oppose us?
APPLICATION: Come up with a Scripture memorization plan. You can have a lofty goal of memorizing a whole book or shoot for just one verse. Either way—start!
PRAYER: God, help me to answer temptations and trials with Your Word. Help me to carry it in my heart and mind that I might always be ready to proclaim truth in the face of falsehood. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?