“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Matthew 4:10
Before Jesus began traveling from town to town healing the sick and sharing the good news of God’s love for all people, he spent time alone. He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days.
As you may know, the number forty is very significant in the Bible. It represents a season of preparation right before God is about to do something new. Remember when Noah was on the ark, and it rained for 40 days and 40 nights? The Israelites spent 40 years wandering through the wilderness before God finally brought them into the promised land. In the same way, Jesus was tempted by the devil 40 days before his ministry of healing, deliverance, and resurrection officially began.
Also, did you notice how the devil didn’t force Jesus to do anything against his will? He simply tempted Jesus.
Look closely at the first temptation. “…tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
Jesus had been fasting (not eating) while in the wilderness so his hunger would have been very strong. What’s wrong with a little bit of bread? Is it really that big a deal? Why not just do what the devil says?
Here’s the problem though. The stones were never intended to be nourishment for our souls.
Jesus replied, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Only God’s word can truly sustain us, and the devil knows it. So, he tries to tempt us with something different.
The devil is constantly pointing to the stones around you (the things not meant for the nourishment of your soul) and saying, eat up! The stones we see in today’s world look a lot more like dollars, diamonds, screen time, and social media. Excessive consumption can lead to substance abuse and screen addiction, greed, envy, lust, laziness, pride, and anger.
Before you know it, our bellies are full, but our hearts remain empty. So how do we fight these seemingly endless amounts of temptations in our lives?
Jesus gave us the answer. God’s word is our weapon.
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Matthew 4:10
So today, choose differently. Leave the stones (temptations) behind and fill up on the soul satisfying bread of life, instead!
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
- What temptation you are facing today?
- Pray for God to provide a new way for you to live. Turn to him today, he is the bread of life!