T H E O P H I L U S

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.

Matthew 4:1-11

Some of the temptations which Jesus faced from the devil in the desert are ones that we can fully identify with. The devil wanted for Jesus to loose course of what God’s great plan was for him. These are temptations which we face daily and have likely fallen into quite often than not. Some of us may have been taken far from the road God has planned for you and I. In today’s language, these are what these temptations might look like. Try to recognize them, and instead speak the truth of the Lord into your life today.

Stones to become bread – When times get desperate and tough, we always try to find a solution to fill up the voids that we have. It is often easy for us to buy, do, or chase things or people that make us feel like we would be satisfied.

• The Truth – The reality is that we will never stay full with what we feed ourselves from the world. It is only what God gives us – his love and mercy that is perfect and completely satisfying.

Playing the role of God – Satan wanted Jesus to abuse his power and use it frivolously and for selfish satisfaction. For us, this temptation is real in a way that convinces us that we should live our lives however we please according to our broken nature.

• The Truth – You were destined and designed for the worship of God! Satan wants you to think you have no power, but you do. Our anointing of life as God’s people was not meant to be used for ourselves, but for God’s glory and to be a great blessing to others!

If you sign it, this can be yours – We fall into this so often – We’re all about what we can gain. Greed is a very sneaky temptation. There is a great difference between being economical and simply greedy. We want all the best things for ourselves, and we always want more of it.

• The Truth – We have more than we could ever need. To have Jesus in our lives is more than we could ask for. To have salvation is more than we could be thankful for. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our entrance into God’s kingdom. The material world and whatever other kingdom is out there could not compare to what He has prepared for you.

Today, hang onto the truth that comes from the Lord

It is in the face of temptations that we overcome them and find clarity in the midst of confusing propositions when we cling to the Lord and know who we are. You were destined and made for a plan greater than what the world says you are destined to be, and lest we not forget that Christ paid for your spot in His great plan.