SCRIPTURE
“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8: 3
“Fear the Lord your God, serve him only, and take your oaths in His name.” Deuteronomy 6:13
“Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah.” Deuteronomy 6:16
“Fear the Lord your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.” Deuteronomy 10:20
SPOTLIGHT
There are at least 2 reasons why you should read the book of Deuteronomy:
1. There is something very important about this book. This is the only book of the Bible that Jesus used to fight off Satan’s temptations after fasting for 40 days in the desert. It had a very special place in the heart of our Lord. He must have studied it in His childhood, youth, and manhood because He was so familiar with it. Jesus had meditated on the words and also memorized them. You can read that story in Matthew 4:1-11, and Luke 4:1-13. When facing Satan’s temptations, Jesus did not discuss, debate, argue or yell. He simply quoted God’s Word as He had learned from Deuteronomy. He let God handle it because He knew God’s words are true and powerful.
2. Satan must hate this book. Three times he tried to tempt Jesus. On the second try, Satan tried to use God’s words to trip up Jesus. For each temptation, Jesus defeated the devil, not by the power of logic, muscle, or money. In His humanity, our Lord defeated Satan’s lures by quoting God’s Word. Satan is defeated because God’s words are true and powerful.
The scripture texts listed above are the ones Jesus Christ quoted to Satan. Jesus knew them well. He had memorized them. Implicitly, it can be said that He had meditated on them. Jesus was ready for any assault because He knew how to combat His enemy.
Do you know HOW TO DEAL WITH TEMPTATIONS? Here are 4 steps to take:
1. Realize that you are a prime target for Satan’s temptations because you are a follower of Jesus Christ. God’s Word says “So, if you think you were standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” [1 Corinthians 10:12]
2. Remember God’s Word. The Bible says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” [1 Corinthians 10:13]
3. Read God’s Word and meditate on God’s Word. Psalm 119:9-11 states, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You."
4. Quote God’s Word by memorizing God’s Word. To face temptation head-on, be like Jesus. Let God’s Words win every temptation battle.
SOMETHING TO DO
List the 3 greatest temptations you face. If you cannot think of any, then ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a temptation you may be blind to OR Memorize a verse of Scripture that will help you to live a Godly life.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, I ask You that You help me to learn HOW TO DEAL WITH TEMPTATIONS the way You did. I admit I am as much a target for Satan as the strongest or weakest Christian I may know. I thank You for being faithful to me. Today I dedicate myself to reading, meditating on, and memorizing Your Word so that I will be able to quote Your Word when facing temptations. AMEN!