January 06, 2025 | Be God's Family
Victory Over Evil
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11(NIV)
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
5 Then 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.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
8 Again, 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.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Devotional
Have you ever been tempted? Of course you have, we all have! Jesus had been fasting for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert when Satan tempted Jesus 3 times in hopes to luring Jesus into abusing His power. Satan’s first temptation was for Jesus to turn the stones into bread. Jesus was more concerned with spiritual food than material things. With Satan’s second temptation he challenged Jesus to throw himself off the highest point of the temple. However, Jesus affirmed His trust in God by quoting more scriptures. The third temptation was to give him land if Jesus would just bow down and worship him. Jesus was devoted to God and only interested in putting God first. Jesus remained sinless and was victorious over Satan because he was steadfast in His faithfulness to God.
God does not tempt us to sin---that’s Satan’s specialty. Jesus’ victory over temptation was crucial to the success of his divine mission. In the midst of the struggle, Jesus demonstrated His unwavering commitment to God’s plan and His word. Similarly, God may allow our faith to be tested on the path to spiritual success. As we rely on God’s help to win battles over temptation, we’ll become more prepared to fulfill the purpose God has given us. (Quest Bible pg. 1388)
According to James 1:13, God never tempts anyone to sin. However, God will lead believers through tough times to strengthen their faith. One of our rough times has been Mike’s cancer journey. We both can tell you how we choose to lean on Jesus and how He has strengthened our faith.
In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Jesus took all our sins to the cross with him. This was necessary so the ministry of reconciliation could take place. If Jesus had not taken on our sin, the wrongs we have done could not have been forgiven. Unfortunately, as humans, we are always going to be tempted. Thank God that we will always be forgiven.
Hebrews 4:14-16 says Jesus is at the right hand of God. Jesus can sympathize with us. He knows what it is like to face temptations and trials. He knows what we are walking through and can identify with us. Remember to lean on Jesus when temptations and trials come your way.
Jesus wants us to see God as the one who delivers us, not the one who tempts us. In our prayers, we should look to the one true God as the source of victory over the evil one. God tests us, not that we might fall into sin, but that we might experience victory. (Quest Bible pg. 1388)
Poem
Guarded
Psalm 141
(The challenges failed by the Israelites in the wilderness recorded in Deuteronomy are all corrected by the faithfulness of Jesus in his own wilderness experience)
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.”
Psalm 141:3-4
My little temple—guard it, Lord
Build high its walls, strong gated
A watchman high to overlook
Against all evil raided
Your angel guards and Spirit’s sword
Be posted at my gate
My door’s lips covered with Your blood
As I upon you wait
And when the Tempter comes to me
When I am weak and hungry
Allow me feast upon Your Word
Its treasures to sustain me
When evildoers test Your care
May I resist their madness
Lest I be foolish and drawn in
All bring naught but sadness
When power is the baited hook
Give me the strength to say
“Be gone, you Tempter, leave me be
Yes, you be on your way!”
Then with my eyes fixed all on You
Send angels to attend me
And open lip gates of my mouth
Declaring how you saved me
