Now
when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If you are the son of God, command
that these stones become bread." Matthew 4:3
In this season many of us are in the wilderness of
lack, famine and testing. This is the
time when the tempter will come with the temptation of misusing the power of
God to bring in provision at a time you feel you need it the most. This happens
in the church all the time when you see preachers on TV using manipulation and
tactics to get people to give more. We were never meant to change our
circumstances outside of the will of God. Most of us know that robbing a bank
to pay our mortgage is not right. We also know that gambling or stripping to
pay our bills is also wrong. What we
often forget is that when we pray and move outside the parameters of the will
of God that we are turning our stones into bread. Satan will always pacify us in our mind by
reminding us of the rights we have as children of God. He will say things like you deserve to have
such and such after all; you are a child of the King. God would not want you to
be in lack when all along God was testing your heart and obedience to Him. Now
think about this, Jesus had the power to turn those stones into bread. He was hungry! He could have showed the devil
that he knew his authority as the son of God. He could justified it by telling
himself that he deserved better treatment in that wilderness but he refused to
act outside of what God was telling him. He knew he was in that wilderness to
be tested and his test was to be obedient to God's will and purposes. He was
not going to do anything that He did not hear God say.
But
He answered and said, "It is written , 'Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4
Jesus
replied, I will not live by provision alone but will only obey whatever I hear
God speak. I might have the right to use my power but not outside of God's
will. I might be hungry but I will not do anything to provide for myself
outside of what God has told me. I live in obedience to God's voice and I am
not led by needs or desires. I also look to see what is written to guide me in
the choices I make. (This is my expanded version)
This of
course is not excuse for us to lay around waiting for God to drop provision on our
front porch. He may do that but what this really means is that we are to actively
seek God in every situation. Whether it be dating, job searching, business
endeavors, marriage or any life changing decision we must be careful to seek
God's advice. Unfortunately, many of us make our plans and stick our
"Christian Approved Activity" sticker on it and expect to God bless
it. It doesn't work that way. I've seen
those Christian approved activity stickers on cars. Don't you love it when you
get cut off by another driver and you see the bumper sticker "Christians
aren't Perfect Just Forgiven" on their back bumper. Not to mention they
are pointing to heaven with the wrong finger.
How about the times you hear Christians say that they felt led to date a
certain person then they end up in a sinful relationship. The fact of the
matter is that we frequently use the Lord's name in vain whenever we attribute
God's approval on our poor choices. Sometimes we blame the devil but most of
the time it's simply because we fell into the temptation of not seeking him
with an unbiased heart. I'm not saying
that is easy to do but if you find yourself in a place where you can't hear him
get the bible out and or seek counsel because there is safety in a multitude of
counselors. Often our inability to wait on the Lord is the cause of our
downfall. We act impulsively before we take the time to pray, think or discern
if we are making the right decisions. "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."
Proverbs 3:6
"If
you are the son of god, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give
His angels charge over you', and In their hands they shall bear you up, lest
you dash your foot against a stone.'" Matthew 4:6
Once
again Jesus is tempted to show off who He is by doing something outside of the
will of God. Hey Jesus, why don't you do
something foolish that may endanger your life after all God will protect you.
If you put yourself in a place of compromise and temptation, you will be able
to handle it. Nothing will happen if you take a risk after all you are a son or
daughter of God. God will catch you when you fall. (My expanded version of this
verse)
"Jesus
said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your
God.'" Matthew 4:7
Jesus
answered do not test God. Don't test God by thinking he will protect you from
your own foolish decisions. Don't test God by doing your own thing and that he
will rescue you from your own foolish behavior. Don't test God putting yourself
in dangerous situations. For example don't go into a high crime area unless He
tells you too. He is not obligated to protect you if you went there on your
own. Just like when we drive our car, our sonship with God does not guarantee
full coverage if we are driving without a license or registration. We will get
pulled over some day and he will not be able to keep our car from being towed
away. Yes, there is grace but if God did not allow us to suffer the
consequences of our actions we would continue to repeat the same mistakes over
and over again.
"Again,
the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the
kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, "All these
things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." Matthew 4:8
The devil
will always tempt us to compromise in exchange for the things in this
world. Many have bowed their knee to him
and have enjoyed the temporary pleasure of being idolized and worshiped.
Without realizing it we bow the knee every time we take short cuts to our God
given destiny. The devil was actually tempting Jesus to forfeit his destiny by
taking the road of least resistance and getting all the kingdoms to bow down
before he died on the cross. Think about this; He chose to die rather than to
get the glory now. Many people fall into grievous sin because they much rather
rush into ministry than allow God to work in their character. Human nature much
rather have it now then wait until they are able to handle what they are asking
for. You may be asking God for a mate now but God knows you would probably
damage that other person or they may damage you. What we should all be praying for
is God give me the character to handle the ministry, relationship or
possessions I'm asking you for. Developing the character of God is painful and
takes time but in the end you will be to handle whatever it is you are asking
for. You may even find that you no longer desire the things you did when you
first came to Christ but you will be happy you did not stray from the path He
had for you.
"Then
Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall
worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" Matthew 4:10
Jesus was
telling the devil that he was not going to bow to the temptation to being boss
of his own life and doing his own thing. He was going to serve the purposes and
will of God no matter what the cost or suffering involved. He was not going to
buckle under the pressure of trying to obtain what was rightfully his before
the time. No more Ishmael's or children out of wedlock because of a lapse of
momentary judgment. Jesus was there to send a message, "I'm not bowing to
you like Adam and Eve did. I will not become
a temporary god in this world and lose my true inheritance that God laid up for
me. I'm going the route of overcoming temptation by reminding you devil that I
only do what is the mind of God. I won't do anything before the time, will or
plan of God. Sure it's going to cost me. I won't like it but in the end I will
inherit a much better crown." Blessed
is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will
receive the crown of life which
the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
My friends
don't give up the crown that God had intended for you or forfeit the race set
before you because of impulsive decisions or lack of prayer. Don't rush to fix your circumstances without
praying about the outcome. Don't be tempted to take short cuts that lead to
dead ends. Take the time to pray and obey the voice of God. It is this type of
obedience that will always leads us to overcoming victory and ever increasing
faith in the Son of God. He will provide because of his faithfulness not
because of our desperation. Trust in the timing of God and He will accomplish
exceedingly, abundantly what you can think or ask for. Amen.
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