Matthew 4 - 3.19.25

Scripture

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

Observation

This happened when Jesus was about to start his ministry. He was on a forty day fast, eating nothing and waiting on God. At the end of his fast, he was hungry. The Devil approached Him with temptations. Jesus met every temptation by quoting from the scripture.

The first temptation was about food. The Devil tempted Him to command the stones to become bread. Jesus said “Man shall not live by bread alone”. Jesus was quoting directly from Deuteronomy 8:3 which says “...that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD”. The Devil continued to bring two more temptations. Each time, Jesus overcame it by quoting scripture.

In the armour of God, we are presented with multiple weapons of defence, but only one weapon of offence - the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). If you have played chess, you know that you can never win a game by just playing defence. You need to make a move to checkmate your opponent. A soldier cannot win a battle by just defending himself. He needs to attack the enemy with his sword. 

The word of God is the sword given to us by God to stop the enemy’s attack. When an attack comes, we overcome it by quoting God’s promises from the word. 

Application

God’s word is food for our spirit. We are commanded to desire the pure milk of the word like newborn babies, so that we may grow (1 Peter 2:2). Our inner man grows strong when we feed on God’s word. If we don’t take time to nourish our spirit by spending time with the Word on a regular basis, when an attack comes we will find ourselves ill-prepared and a weak and easy target for the enemy!

Let us make sure that our daily time with God in prayer and Bible reading is non-negotiable, and is given the highest priority in our life. No matter what the pressures of the day are, let us start the day by looking at the face of Jesus and listening to Him, by reading His word. 

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for your word. Forgive me for the times I have gone about my day, without spending time with you and without reading your word. Help me to make your word a priority in my life. May the word of Christ dwell in me richly (Colossians 3:16). May your word be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my paths (Psalms 119:105). Help me to discipline myself to make my time with you the first and most important time of my day. Help me to hide your word in my heart, so that I do not sin against you (Psalms 119:11). Lord, thank you because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Help me to live my life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Romans 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George