Matthew 4:3-11
3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'[a]"
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[b]"
7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[c]"
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]"
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'[a]"
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[b]"
7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[c]"
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]"
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Observation
The tempter came after Jesus three times
Application
If the tempter came after the Son of God three times, how many times will he come to us with temptations? I am a Redeemed Son of God, but I am human, subject to temptation and sin. The Lord spoke to me today that this scripture reveals why I need a minute/hourly/daily infusion of God in my life. The tempter is going to come at me a hundred different ways. If he thought he could trip up Christ, the Son of God with three tries; as a human-who has a track record of sinning and giving into temptations-what/when/how will he try on me. I am not going to get caught up in that, but what God is asking me to do is prepare. Be in full gear. Be trained. Be alert. In this book I am reading, Lone Survivor-about Navy SEAL's, the author-the Lone Survivor of an Afghanistan ambush-says that they are trained from the beginning to speak to their partner about ANYTHING that is different/anything funny/anything unsettled because they have to be alert at all times. So how do I do that? More time in study, more time in meditation, more time in prayer. The time in training will reap rewards when the tempter is near.
Prayer
Father, You are my protector. Your word says that you do not tempt anyone, it is only the evil one. Thank you that you have given to me everything I need to defend the tempter. You gave me Jesus, your Spirit, spiritual gifts for discernment and every tool of defense. It is through you that my defense comes, it is through you that I have victory, it is you I praise for it. Amen.
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