He Refused to Be Bullied.
Fight Back with Truth
– Jesus knew that life is more than having a full stomach.
-And Jesus knew that engaging in debate with the enemy isn’t wise.
– Also, Jesus knew He had nothing to prove.
– Furthermore, Jesus knew He was being tempted by the devil and acted in accordance.
He Refused to Be Bullied.
At the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, a strange thing happened:
He was led into the wilderness, by the Spirit, where He encountered the devil.
After fasting for forty days and forty nights, Jesus was hungry—taunted by the enemy to satisfy His craving for food.
Essentially, Satan tried to provoke Jesus to prove that He was God’s Son by turning rocks into bread.
He Refused to Be Bullied.
Can you sense the manipulation?
If you’re really the Son of God, do something.
Take matters into your own hands.
Give in to your desire.
Provide for yourself.
Is God even good if He holds out on you?
But Jesus refused to be bullied.
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written:
Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 NIV
This pattern continued throughout two more temptations—where the devil temped Jesus with protection and power,
but Jesus rebuked him with Scripture.
So what are some things we can learn from Jesus’ encounter with the enemy?
Matthew 4:4 KJV
[4] But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
– Jesus knew that life is more than having a full stomach.
Though He surely longed to satisfy his physical craving, He knew that true sustenance comes from God.
-And Jesus knew that engaging in debate with the enemy isn’t wise.
Instead, He relied on the power of Scripture, quoting from Deuteronomy as His weapon of defense.
– Also, Jesus knew He had nothing to prove.
Unlike Adam and Eve in Genesis, who doubted God’s goodness and gave into temptation, Jesus was able to resist the enemy.
– Furthermore, Jesus knew He was being tempted by the devil and acted in accordance.
He Refused to Be Bullied.
We must learn to recognize when we’re under attack and remember to fight back with God’s Word.
So, how is the enemy tempting you this week?
How is he enticing you to doubt God’s trustworthiness?
Remember, God has enabled you to fight back with truth by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let Us Pray:
God, I want Your Word to be alive and active in my life.
Scripture helps me examine my thoughts and convicts me to live as Jesus did.
I cannot live apart from Your Word because it offers me a way to know You more deeply.
Please continue to reveal Yourself to me through Scripture and sustain me through Your Word.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Also Read: God Speaks Today – Diademng (thediademng.org)
He Refused to Be Bullied.
Simply Sseven This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.