Three times tempted, three times repelled, and with but a short phrase quoted from the Scriptures; this was accomplished without explanation, or comment.
Jesus said, “It is written,” the devil withdraws for the first time — “It is written, “The devil withdraws for the second time — “It is written,” the devil retires for the final time.
What a powerful weapon we have in the Word of God, a weapon Satan dreads because he has no counter for it. Paul calls it “The sword of the Spirit;” John describes it in Revelation as “A sharp, two-edged sword, proceeding out of the mouth of the Son of man.”
Foolish man has sought their fame and fortune by making some concession to Satan. But, Scriptures tell us, “Godliness has the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
How difficult it’s for a young man or woman to refuse the offer of a worldly career; a career garnished with honors; one having assured advantage attached to it, and possibly including the promise of a small fortune? If attained, what shall be the end if “they were to gain the whole world and lose their soul?”
Is the grace of the Lord enough for those of us today? Many boasts of being enriched with Holy Spirit gifts yet desiring the things of this world. Soon enough gratified with the praises of men; and enriched with cleaver favors. More often than not, in the quiet of their homes, these same men and women will have accommodated the truth of God by yielding to the devil’s temptation.
“If thou will worship me, all shall be thine.” Our response should be “Get thee behind me, Satan; for it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only that thou serve.”
Satan will never stop; he will use every web of deceit to entangle a person, use every resource, and every strategy, break or bend every rule, and surround himself with what appear to be holy things. He will encourage with false promises, even disguising himself as an angel of light.
Any Christian who yields to the devil’s temptation will be tempting God. Would you put Jesus to the test of faithfulness? To tempt God is to ask him, “Can you do it? Will you do it?” Would you then put certain conditions upon your requests?
Has the worldly spirit of testing God renewed itself in the Christian world? Satan will endeavor to make you doubt God’s word, to turn you from any prayer life you may have, and to inspire you by immersing you in the pleasures of this world.
Faith would say, “God has said, and will he not perform it?” We must know Jesus so we can be holy as He is holy. The Bible is heaven spoken; we have heard what heaven has to say, what it has felt and lived!
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