keeping the devil off his game

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

Luke 4:4

The very first words that Jesus had to say to the devil were these: “It is written...” The temptations of Jesus are intriguing to me. They tell us a lot about the psychological profile of the devil. I mean, who does Satan think he is? Did he honestly think he could tempt God to sin? The devil has one hell of an ego!

Jesus relied on the power of God’s own Word to turn the devil off. He answered Satan’s offers three times with the firm, clear Word of God. And the devil makes no counter offers. He can’t negotiate with scripture! Even when Satan tries to twist God’s Word in the last offer (Luke 4:10-11) in a last ditch effort to get Jesus to sin, the Lord simply replies back with the truth, quoting Deuteronomy to the devil. Jesus never once gives in to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life.

Jesus,

You are my example. I ask for Your strength to cling strong to the Bible when temptations come at me. Keep me strong by the power of Your Spirit and Your Word to keep the devil off his game!

Amen