But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’” Matthew 4:4 WEB
After Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights, Satan tempted him three times. Each time, the Lord answered his adversary’s challenge with the written word of God. In this test, Satan challenged the Divinity of Christ while attempting to use the Lord’s hunger against him. The devil tries to manipulate Jesus saying in Matthew 4:3, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” WEB
Jesus’ response, “It is written,” is a reference to the miraculous feeding of the Israelites in the wilderness after they left Egypt. As we read of the God’s chosen people in Deuteronomy 8:3, “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. KJV”
Resist the Devil
The attempt to cause Jesus to act outside of the will of God failed. Although Jesus’ physical body ached for food, he responded in a way that proved he followed the will of God, resisting temptation rather than satisfying his own desires.
Satan knew that Jesus was the Son of God. However, he used deception, attempting to appeal to pride as he said, “If you are the Son of God.” For many of us, the strong desire to demonstrate our ability and authority would make resisting this challenge difficult. But Jesus saw through Satan’s scheme. As it is written in James 4:6-7, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for showing the faithful how to resist temptation, Thank you for your forgiveness and grace. Help me to endure the trials of this world. Guide me to do your will. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Son
