Then the tempter approached Him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:3-4 HCSB

Ephesian 6 gives us a number of parts of armor for our protection, but when it comes to weapons it gives us the Sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. It also includes prayer.

As a child, my Daddy taught me how to shoot.  I respected guns but I never feared them.  I was familiar enough with them that I could protect myself which was my Dad’s goal.  When I began working in law enforcement of course I got more extensive training in firearms. Whatever weapon you use, you need to be properly trained.  The same is true when we use God’s word.

God’s word is also a weapon that requires proper training in order to fight the devil. Jesus posed and still poses a threat to the devil.  For everyone that believes in Jesus and worships Him is a soul that is taken from the devil.  The devil wants to gain as many souls as possible, so therefore when a soul is won to Jesus, it’s a loss for the devil.

Now remember as you read this scripture passage, that Jesus came to earth fully man and fully God.  By being fully man, he was as susceptible to temptation as we are.  Now have you ever  been “hangry”?  I mean that point at which you have gone from simple hunger to anger.  This is the point where someone should give me food before it gets really bad.  Now keep in mind that Jesus had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness before this temptation began. The devil started where he thought Jesus would be weakest.  He tempted Him to simply turn the stone into bread.  Surely Jesus being fully man was hungry after going 40 days without food. Being fully God he could have easily turned stone into bread.  But Jesus responded with scripture saying “man shall not live on bread alone” which comes from Deuteronomy 8:3.  Then Satan turned the tables and encouraged Jesus to test the word of God by throwing himself from the highest point of the temple.  Satan himself used scripture from Psalm 91:11-12 to tempt Jesus. Again Jesus responded with scripture from Deuteronomy 6:16,  “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”. Then the devil tempted Jesus just as he often tempts us. He told Jesus that if He would worship him then he would give him all the kingdoms of the world and all the splendor within them.  Jesus again responded with scripture from Deuteronomy 6:13.

The temptations we face today are not unlike the ones that Jesus faced in the wilderness.  The devil begins with “if you really are (you fill in the blank)”.  If you really are a Christian,  if you really are a good wife, husband, child, employee, friend, whatever- then you could do this or that.  He looks at our area where we may be most insecure and pounces on that.  Then he may encourage us to put the Lord to the test or he may try to tell us that we misunderstand what God’s word says.  This is what he used against Eve in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:4).  Know this, if you are trying to establish a close relationship with God, you are a threat to the devil.  Be prepared for this and the temptations you may face.  Be ready with your sword of the spirit drawn and be prepared to strike when needed. Be in constant prayer for God’s protection.

This is why Bible study is so important to us as Christians.  It is hard to stay in the word if you don’t know what it says.  It is hard to respond Biblically if you don’t know your scripture. Spend at least a few minutes each day reading your Bible.  We are also easily deceived by the devil if we don’t know what God’s word clearly instructs us to do.

I am a firm believer in self defense.  You may call for the police but they may be 10 minutes away.  A lot can happen to you in 10 minutes.  It is important to be able to defend yourself.  God’s weapon of self defense is His Holy Word.  When you face temptation from the devil, be prepared to use God’s word.  Also be prepared for the devil to use God’s word and try to twist it just as the devil did with Jesus.  This is why we must study God’s word and be prepared to defend ourselves against the temptations of the devil.  If you come against an enemy that is armed, the first thing you want to do is disarm that enemy.  The best way to disarm the devil when he tempts you is with the Sword of the Spirit.

Our scripture passage ends with Jesus telling Satan to get away from Him!  We also need to tell Satan to get away from us.  James 4:7 tells us to submit to God, resist the devil and the devil will flee from us.

I pray today that you have a wonderful day and that the devil does not tempt you, but I also pray that if he does your sword is drawn and ready to strike.

Have a great day!