Friday April 3, 2009 FAITH AND GOD'S WORD
Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus did not eat anything for 40 days and 40 nights. At the end of that time, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." Jesus answered, "Scripture says, 'A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks.'" Then the devil took him into the holy city and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. He said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, jump! Scripture says, 'He will put his angels in charge of you. They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.'" Jesus said to him, "Again, Scripture says, 'Never tempt the Lord your God.'" Once more the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms in the world and their glory. The devil said to him, "I will give you all this if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan! Scripture says, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came to take care of him. Matthew 4:1-11 This was Jesus' testing time - and He passed - with flying colors. Satan was defeated - and it wouldn't be the last time. Jesus knew exactly how to get to him - with the Word of God. Do you? If you are anything like me, you have memorized Bible verses, quoted them over and over again, but to no or little avail. Maybe we thought it would give us victory over a particular temptation that had us defeated. However, no matter how much we quoted, no victory came. We were just as vulnerable with our Bible verse as without it. We see Jesus recalling verses from the Old Testament and quoting them to Satan. Jesus was victorious. Why aren't we when we do the same thing? The answer lies in the distinction between magic and faith. Magic is using an object or chant in a desperate attempt to ward off evil or control circumstances. Faith is a quiet confidence that what God says is true enough to act on. Jesus went into the Word, found a principle or truth, and said in effect, "I will now live by this truth." Jesus saw the Word of God as truth, and determined to act on that truth. It was this exercise of faith that gave Him victory over His temptations. And it is just such an exercise of faith that will give us victory when we are tempted today. Yes, let's look for the key to our victory in the Word of God. But let's not use the Bible in a pagan, magical way. Let's take God at His Word, act on what He says, and let God use our faith to give us the victory in Him. Father, thank You for Your Word. Help us learn how to use it, when to use it, and believe it when we do. ******************************************* O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [email protected] or [email protected] window live messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
