Today, let’s look at Matthew Chapter 4.

In Verse 3 we find the following words: "Now when the tempter came to Him, he said."

The tempter, the one who entices you and me, is approaching.

He is at our side. First of all, let’s accept this fact.
And he speaks to us.
(Just like the snake and Eve in Genesis, isn’t it?”)

Matthew 4:3
"If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
This is the words which the tempter used when Jesus was hungry.
Clearly, the tempter knows all about us.
He knows our weaknesses , he knows where to strike so that we fall.
In the Letter of James 1:14, it is written, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed."

In the case of Eve (Genesis 3:6), She thought that the fruit was good to eat, attractive to look at, and it was likely to make her wise, so she ate it.
When I was young, I was often taught, "This is women’s weak point. So, be careful!”
(It looks delicious!! Isn't it pretty?! Will I look wise, I wonder?
and so on.)
And it’s true!! AMEN! I say.
If we can know our weak points and see ourselves objectively,
we have an extraordinarily strong source of protection.

☆ If anyone wants to know about men’s weak points, I’ll write about that later. Don't worry.

Eve was ambiguous against God’s words
She added to or subtracted from what God actually said.
Grasping God’s words closely is the secret of victory over the silently-creeping snake.

Now, what was Jesus' answer to the tempter ?
Matthew 4:4 bears witness to Jesus’ humility.
At first, the tempter tried to insult Jesus by casting aspersions on His divinity, saying, “If You are the Son of God.”
If we were Him, we would have lost our temper.
And as a result Satan most likely have beaten us.

Jesus gently deflected Satan’s attempt.
In order for us to be able to ignore the words, speech and actions that lack love, in another words, speech and actions which are not in Christ, we need to be able to distinguish true humility and the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This is something which comes through daily prayer.)
This is what we want, isn't it?

This is not something which can be done right away.
We have to work on it day by day.

”If you are hungry, turn this stone into bread !” To this words,
Jesus answers, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’"

Even if we look only at Verses 3 and 4, it is clear that Jesus is Christ. A human being could not have given such an answer.
This is an answer which springs to the lips only of one who lives by the word of God.
Unless one lives according to the word of the Bible, these are not the words one utters.

Let us pray that we may always be able to answer the tempter, firmly and decisively, according to the word of the Bible, saying, “…it is written,” instead of in our own words.

However, those who tempt us refuse to be beaten, and tempt us by quoting scripture themselves, saying, “…it is written.” (Matthew 4:6).

The fact is that there are two kinds of people; those who quote scripture believing in it, and those who quote scripture for their own devious reasons.
And the latter tempts the Lord.

The Lord looks at our hearts. Let us always pour our hearts out to Him. Let our hearts and minds be always illuminated by the Lord and let us bow down before the Word of the Lord truly, faithfully and sincerely.

Let's look at Verses 8 and 9.
Those who would tempt us show us the riches of the world.
Men apparently have a weakness for status and honor.
Although many might deny this, it can’t be helped.
In Genesis 1:28, is written, “Have dominion.”
If this weakness is not purified by the Lord, it can lead to all sorts of trouble. A man who can check his lust for fame and power, or his ambition, under the name of vision, is truly extraordinary.

In Verse 10, there is a word
"Away with you." Here we find that the tempter’s name is Satan.
Yes. ... Everything becomes uncovered before God!!

And Jesus said, " ---You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."
Surely, this is an overwhelming victory. Hallelujah !!.
Temptation in the wilderness is also a trial for us, as Christians.
It is a trial for men and women and indeed all human beings.

And the Lord won using the word of the Bible.
He set a model for us.
Satan stirs up our belief in scripture and sways us emotionally.
He strikes at our weak points.
That is the time we should grasp the word firmly, speak it out, follow God and command Satan to fall back.
"Away with you!!"
Jesus Christ is our victory.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Back