The Best Weapon
Previous
Praying for Power
Next
First Things First
Praying for Power
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He responded to every enticement of the enemy by beginning with the words, "It is written. . . ."
When the devil suggested that Jesus turn a stone into bread, He replied, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God' " (Luke 4:4).
When the devil promised to give Him all the world's kingdoms if Jesus worshipped him, Jesus responded, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve' " (Luke 4:8).
Then the devil pulled a fast one. He quoted Scripture too. The devil knows Scripture and knows it pretty well. Of course, he pulls it out of context and twists it, but he can quote it. So he said, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone' " (Luke 4:10–11).
Jesus brought it back into context and responded, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God' " (Luke 4:12).
Christ faced temptation as a human being. He didn't use His executive privilege as God to get out of the situation. When the devil attacked, He quoted Scripture. And He occupied ground that we, too, can occupy.
So when temptation comes our way, it's important that we know the Word of God. God has given us the weapons for winning the spiritual battle.
When the devil suggested that Jesus turn a stone into bread, He replied, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God' " (Luke 4:4).
When the devil promised to give Him all the world's kingdoms if Jesus worshipped him, Jesus responded, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve' " (Luke 4:8).
Then the devil pulled a fast one. He quoted Scripture too. The devil knows Scripture and knows it pretty well. Of course, he pulls it out of context and twists it, but he can quote it. So he said, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone' " (Luke 4:10–11).
Jesus brought it back into context and responded, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God' " (Luke 4:12).
Christ faced temptation as a human being. He didn't use His executive privilege as God to get out of the situation. When the devil attacked, He quoted Scripture. And He occupied ground that we, too, can occupy.
So when temptation comes our way, it's important that we know the Word of God. God has given us the weapons for winning the spiritual battle.
TODAY'S RADIO PROGRAM: "What God Wants Every Believer to Know About Himself — I"
Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights
reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced
in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas
Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000
First Things First
Sign up for Pastor Greg's daily devotion e-mails!
Harvest on the go!
Our best content is now in one place on your mobile device to help you know God and make Him known.
Download
