Matt 4

 

Scripture

 

2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God …”

4 But he answered, “It is written …”

 

5 Then the devil …6 said to him, “If you are the Son of God … for it is written …”

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written …”

 

8 Again, the devil took him …

8 Again, the devil took him …

9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written …

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”

 

11 Then the devil left him …

 

Observation

 

The devil is tempting Jesus after a time of fasting.

The devil tries to tempt Jesus in his “hungry” state.

He even tries to use the word of God against the purposes of God.

 

The devil repeatedly uses a conditional and doubting and questioning approach …

“If you are the Son of God …”

 

This questioning tactic reminds me of the first time the devil appears in the Bible …

“Did God really say that?”

 

Application

 

How often do I make my faith about theological knowledge?

 

I’ve often noticed that Jesus responds to the temptations with the word of God.

But this morning it stands out to me that the devil himself even uses the word of God in His temptation.

 

In other words, theological knowledge is NOT sufficient!

 

Jesus said I could search the scripture and not find Him if I have a wrong heart.

And James said even the demons believe there is one God!

 

This is a matter of worship

I cannot get into a battle of wits with the devil.

 

I just fight the good fight of faith.

This is about Who I worship.

 

It is then that the devil fled from Jesus.

 

Prayer

 

Thank you, God, for the gift of your Word

But especially for the gift of faith

Help me to not abuse your Word

Help me know and trust it as Truth

Help me fend off temptation with it

In Jesus name

Amen