Day 165
We are going to spend a few days looking at how Jesus handled temptation. First, we must recognize that Jesus is all His perfection was tempted. You also are going to be tempted while you live on the earth. Temptation is a fact; it is also a fact that Jesus has provided a method to overcome it. Jesus had been fasting in the desert for 40 days; He was hungry. Satan comes and suggests that He turn stones into bread. The problem was not the act of turning stones into bread; the problem was that Satan was telling Him IF He was the Son of God, He was to do this act. It was the taking orders from Satan that made it wrong to perform the miracle. How did Jesus respond to the temptation? Luke 4:4 tells us: "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." The key to defeating temptation is found in the Word of God.
The William Burkitt New Testament explains the verse as follows: "Note secondly, the weapon which our Saviour made use of to vanquish Satan; it was the word of God: It is written, says Christ. Learn thence, that the scripture, or the written word of God, is the only sure weapon wherewith to vanquish Satan, and beat back all his fiery temptations. The scripture is God's armory, out of which all our weapons of war must be taken, for managing our conflict with sin and Satan." When temptation comes knocking, we are to respond by saying what the Word says. Several examples will suffice to prove the point. A husband or wife is tempted to commit adultery; the temptation is defeated by speaking the Seventh Commandment "Thou shall not commit adultery." Another is tempted to worry that God has forsaken them; the response of the Word that "I will never leave you or forsake you" is spoken with assurance. The Word of God contains the answer to temptation.
Today, regardless of the temptation you may face, you will find the answer in the Word. It is the Word of God that you are to live by and not the opinions of men or the circumstances you face. Pick up the Bible today and look for the promises of God that will defeat the temptations in your life. You can have victory over every temptation you face. Don't take my word for it, take His!
The William Burkitt New Testament explains the verse as follows: "Note secondly, the weapon which our Saviour made use of to vanquish Satan; it was the word of God: It is written, says Christ. Learn thence, that the scripture, or the written word of God, is the only sure weapon wherewith to vanquish Satan, and beat back all his fiery temptations. The scripture is God's armory, out of which all our weapons of war must be taken, for managing our conflict with sin and Satan." When temptation comes knocking, we are to respond by saying what the Word says. Several examples will suffice to prove the point. A husband or wife is tempted to commit adultery; the temptation is defeated by speaking the Seventh Commandment "Thou shall not commit adultery." Another is tempted to worry that God has forsaken them; the response of the Word that "I will never leave you or forsake you" is spoken with assurance. The Word of God contains the answer to temptation.
Today, regardless of the temptation you may face, you will find the answer in the Word. It is the Word of God that you are to live by and not the opinions of men or the circumstances you face. Pick up the Bible today and look for the promises of God that will defeat the temptations in your life. You can have victory over every temptation you face. Don't take my word for it, take His!
