The Bible Has Authority | It Is Written Part 8
The devil will attack you at your most vulnerable point and when you are least expecting it. That’s why the Bible warns us, “If you think you are standing firm, watch out or you may fall.”
After Jesus was baptized by John, he fasted for 40 days in the wilderness in preparation for his earthly ministry. During this time, the devil tempted him by misusing scripture against Him. But Jesus knew how to wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Matthew 4:3-4, “And the tempter came and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. But He answered and said, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
Satan was bringing up the fact that God fed the children of Israel in the wilderness with fresh manna on the ground every morning. But Jesus referred to that very story from Deuteronomy 8:3 and quoted it right back to him.
Matthew 4:5-7, “Then the devil took him into the holy city; and he had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: 'He will give his angels charge concerning You; and on their hands they will bear You up, lest you strike Your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, ‘On the other hand it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Deut. 6:16)
Did you notice how the devil was twisting scripture to tempt Jesus? Did you know that the devil has the Bible memorized?
The devil was quoting Psalm 91:12, which talks about God’s protection over his people. But Jesus once again fended off his attack by referring to a scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16.
Matthew 4:8-10, “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things will I give you if you fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'"
Satan knew that Jesus was the Messiah and eventually he would reign with God in heaven, and he was trying to make Jesus impatient; but Jesus didn’t fall for it. Jesus again quoted the Law in Deuteronomy 6:13.
Matthew 4:11, “Then the devil left him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”
Finally, the devil knew he wasn’t going to win this battle, so he retreated. The same thing will happen for you if you know how to sword fight.
James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
That conversation looked like a sword fight, didn’t it? The devil attacked with his sword, but Jesus countered with his sword. He knew the exact scripture to use for every situation. The more we know scripture, the more precisely and effectively we can apply it when we need it most. Never be afraid to fight the devil using the word of God as your weapon because the Bible has authority.
____
This blog post was written by Pastor John Raymond of New Horizon Church in Slidell, Louisiana.
After Jesus was baptized by John, he fasted for 40 days in the wilderness in preparation for his earthly ministry. During this time, the devil tempted him by misusing scripture against Him. But Jesus knew how to wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Matthew 4:3-4, “And the tempter came and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. But He answered and said, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
Satan was bringing up the fact that God fed the children of Israel in the wilderness with fresh manna on the ground every morning. But Jesus referred to that very story from Deuteronomy 8:3 and quoted it right back to him.
Matthew 4:5-7, “Then the devil took him into the holy city; and he had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: 'He will give his angels charge concerning You; and on their hands they will bear You up, lest you strike Your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, ‘On the other hand it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" (Deut. 6:16)
Did you notice how the devil was twisting scripture to tempt Jesus? Did you know that the devil has the Bible memorized?
The devil was quoting Psalm 91:12, which talks about God’s protection over his people. But Jesus once again fended off his attack by referring to a scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16.
Matthew 4:8-10, “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things will I give you if you fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'"
Satan knew that Jesus was the Messiah and eventually he would reign with God in heaven, and he was trying to make Jesus impatient; but Jesus didn’t fall for it. Jesus again quoted the Law in Deuteronomy 6:13.
Matthew 4:11, “Then the devil left him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”
Finally, the devil knew he wasn’t going to win this battle, so he retreated. The same thing will happen for you if you know how to sword fight.
James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
That conversation looked like a sword fight, didn’t it? The devil attacked with his sword, but Jesus countered with his sword. He knew the exact scripture to use for every situation. The more we know scripture, the more precisely and effectively we can apply it when we need it most. Never be afraid to fight the devil using the word of God as your weapon because the Bible has authority.
____
This blog post was written by Pastor John Raymond of New Horizon Church in Slidell, Louisiana.
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The Bible Has Authority | It Is Written Part 8The Bible Is A Love Story | It Is Written Part 7The Bible Is Accurate | It Is Written Part 6The Bible Is Our Authority | It Is Written Part 5The Bible Leads to Life | It Is Written Part 4The Bible is Revealed in Christ | It Is Written Part 3The Bible is Our Foundation | It Is Written Part 2The Bible is Alive | It Is Written Part 1Dealing with Disappointment | Part 4Dealing with Disappointment | Part 3Dealing with Disappointment | Part 2Dealing with Disappointment | Part 1