“It is written.”
Word of God speaking words of God. Teaching us the way.
After 40 days and nights of fasting in the wilderness, He’s hungry. Son of God. Son of Man. Hungry.
And the devil strikes first where He’s feeling immediate need.
Food.
“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread” (Matthew 4:3).
In other words: Prove it, Jesus.
God’s Word
But Jesus answers with God’s Word about bread.
And not just any old reference. Wilderness bread. After the exodus from Egypt.
Manna.
“It is written: ‘Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3).
It is written
The devil picks up on “it is written.” Maybe that will work. Bolster his ploy.
So, in the next temptation, he finishes with a long quote from God’s Word.
“For it is written: ‘He will give his angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone’” (Matthew 4:6).
Warning lights
True words. Wrong context. Twisted motive. Suiting his own evil purpose.
And Jesus’ response is swift. To the point. Cutting him off.
“It is also written: ‘Do not test the Lord your God’” (Matthew 4:7).
Warning lights flash. For all of us. To rightly handle the Word of God. Instead of using it to justify selfish motives.
The catch
The next temptation reveals the devil’s main desire.
He offers all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. Earthly power. Material gain.
And the catch?
“I will give you all these things if you will fall down and worship me” (Matthew 4:9).
Enough
Enough. Get out of here, Satan!
And again we hear the Word of God speak the words of God. Loud and clear. Addressing this bold-faced temptation of the evil one.
“For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him’” (Matthew 4:10).
Confronting
In times of wilderness. Want. Why’s.
Temptation wanders in.
Subtle. Smooth. Strategic.
And we learn to continually turn to “It is written….”
The words of God confronting the lying tongue of the evil one.
It is written
Fear only the Lord your God.
Worship Him alone.
Serve for the glory of His Name and no other.
Let His Word be the meditation of your heart and the words of your mouth.
“It is written.”
What about you?
How have you seen the Word of God counter the lies of the evil one? Have you ever been tempted to justify sin using God’s Word wrongly?
Related posts
All we need – Divided heart – Be alert and pray – Enemy at the gate – Weeds –
2 replies on “It is written”
I was thanking God today for the way He spoke to me as a child and has taught me all my life – and asking Him to give me strength to be faithful.
Amen. Psalm 86:11-12 came to mind as I read your comment… “Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name. I will praise you with all my heart, Lord my God, and will honor your name forever.”
Psalms 86:11-12 CSB