HIGHLIGHT
Matthew 4:10 (ESV): 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.’”
EXPLAIN
After Jesus was baptized, before he began his earthly ministry, the Spirit led him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It was essential that Jesus be tempted and overcome.
God was not evil in allowing the devil to tempt Jesus nor in determining that Jesus should be tempted. God did not desire for His Son to choose evil, but to be tested by evil and overcome. So it is in God’s dealings with humanity.
Jesus answered every temptation with “It is written.” He was thoroughly steeped in God’s Word. He thought, spoke, and acted in and by God’s teachings. And the devil could not resist him.
APPLY
It is good to know the difference between right and wrong. It is good to refuse temptation on this basis. It is good to know that the standard for morality is God’s Word. But do we know God’s Word well enough to resist temptation by God’s Word?
Can we say, “I will do or not do thus and so because God’s Word says [blank]”? Do we have such a familiarity with and faithfulness with scripture that it permeates all we do?
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, I desire to be immersed even more so into your Word so that all my thoughts, words, and actions reflect fidelity to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.