Topic: “It Is Written…”! [Tuesday March 03, 2015]
Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Key Verse: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Ahead of His ministry, Christ embarked on a forty-day fast and was afterwards led into the wilderness, “to be tempted of the devil.” Satan wanted to lure Him into disobeying God. He wanted Jesus to resort to self-will, which would satisfy worldly and not spiritual ends.
Our Lord overcame him as He repeatedly depended on the authority of the Word of God rather than yield to the desires of Satan. Thus, Jesus demonstrated that invincibility comes through the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit. Although Satan also quoted the Word out of context to mislead Jesus, he did not succeed.
That Jesus “was led up of the Spirit… to be tempted of the devil” suggests that even believers who are sound in the faith can experience trials and temptations. This would come through juicy enticements to compromise in the pursuit of our daily bread (Matthew 4:3); through offers of worldly fame and influences (Matthew 4:6); and through suggestions for Christians to go into reckless contests with unbelievers for personal recognition that does not honour God (Matthew 4:6). Jesus, the Word personified, wielded the Sword of the Spirit or the Word effectively to defeat Satan (John 1:1,14; Ephesians 6:17).
Since believers engage in perpetual spiritual warfare with the devil, we must arm ourselves with the Word of God to always overcome him. We must allow the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us in the appropriate application of the Word to be able to say “it is written” more forcefully than Satan. Regular intake and internalization of the Word is key to overcoming satanic onslaught in life and ministry. The Word carries eternal power of the Godhead that Satan cannot withstand. Where the word of a king is (in your heart, life, home, church), there is power.
Bible in One Year: 2 Corinthians 10-13
Thought for The Day: The Word works!
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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