After the blessing comes the battle! And Jesus was no exception. Following His baptism the Spirit sent him out into the desert (Mk 1:12 NIV), and after fasting forty days He was hungry. That's when Satan showed up and said, If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread (Mt 4:3 NIV). You can count on the enemy to show up at your most vulnerable moments. And when he does you'd better know what the Word of God actually says - not just selected snippets and quotes you've heard second or third hand. All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching ...in righteousness (2Ti 3:16 NIV).

 

We pick the parts of Scripture that fit our lifestyle and bolster our theology, but when the enemy manipulates God's Word and uses it against you, you need to be able to say, It is also written. You need to know what else God has to say. The Bible says Satan will speak against the Most High...oppress his saints and try to change...times and ...laws (Dan 7:25 NIV). Satan knows the Word of God is a double-edged sword (Heb 4:12 NCV), but he'll still try to engage you in a swordfight!

But Jesus answered...'It is also written: Do not put...God to the test.' He knew what His Father had actually said, and refused to allow Satan to dictate His responses, including what He should eat. Whose menu are you eating from today? Are you like the prodigal, settling for pig-swill while your Father has a feast prepared for you? Tell Satan, Get thee behind me (Mt 16:23), and stop letting him bamboozle you with lies and half-truths! Get into God's Word and get it into you!