Today we’ll look at Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and how He responded because the same principle can help us when we are fighting temptation or spiritual attacks. We will, also, look at how memorizing Scripture fits into all this and how the devil can, actually, use Scripture against us.

Also, did you know that every major civilization has a “flood story” as part of its oral or written history? What does the biblical account of the flood teach us about God, His character, and His sovereign control of world events? And why should this be so comforting to us in the sometimes dangerous time in which we’re living?

Welcome, to “God’s Word Day by Day.”

I hope you’re ready to make this year the best ever when it comes to your understanding and enjoyment of Scripture. If so, I hope you’ll sign up for my daily encouragement. 

Today’s Readings:

Genesis 7 & 8
Psalm 3.1-4
Proverbs 1.20-22
Matthew 4.1-25

How to Fight Temptation & Spiritual Attacks

Matthew 4.1-25:

Fighting Temptation & the Sword of the Spirit

As we read the story of Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness, we see the importance of having a storehouse of God’s Word in our hearts. Paul referred to Scripture as the sword of the Spirit in Ephesians 6.17. It’s the only offensive weapon listed among the pieces of the armor of God. Like a sword, the Word properly understood and applied helps protect us from spiritual attacks and temptation.

Psalm 119.11 says:

Your Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Three times in this passage, Jesus was faced with Satan’s temptation and three times He responded with the Word. When he tempted Him to turn stones into bread, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8.3:

It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (vv. 3-4).

When he tempted Him to throw Himself off the pinnacle of the temple, Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6.16:

It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’ (vv. 5-7).

And when he tempted Him to bow down and worship him in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world, Jesus paraphrased Deuteronomy 6.13-14:

Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’ (vv. 8-10).

How the Devil Twists Scripture

But notice that the devil knows Scripture, too. In verses 5-6, see how he took it and twisted its meaning to fit his purpose.

⁵ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’

and,

Memorizing Scripture

Jerry Bridges in his book The Pursuit of Holiness says this about memorizing Scripture, “The Holy Spirit wrote the Scriptures; we learn the Scriptures; the Holy Spirit brings to our mind what we learn; we apply what He brings to mind.”

But if we don’t learn God’s Word, we short-circuit the whole process.

We are faced with tests, trials, decisions, temptation, and spiritual attacks all the time. When we don’t know the Word, instead of being able to respond based on the truths the Holy Spirit brings to mind, we’ll respond based on our feelings or what seems right to us and end up leading weak, anemic Christian lives!

There are many ways to memorize Scripture, but one of the simplest is to write out a verse or passage on a 3 x 5 card (or use a smartphone application). Carry it with you and read it over and over throughout the day. It’s a great way to redeem those little moments of time spent waiting in line at the drive-through or waiting for an appointment, etc. In the beginning, you may want to write the passage out several times to help you learn it more quickly.

If you’re just starting out in this process of reading and memorizing God’s Word, don’t get overwhelmed by it, just be faithful. When you do, it’s amazing how God will help you. If you are one of those people who say, “I can’t memorize things,” remember God would never ask you to do something He won’t enable you to do. Again, just be faithful.

Today’s Other Readings:

Genesis 7 & 8:

Noah & the Flood

Do you ever “talk” to your TV or computer screen? I know I do. That was the case one evening as my husband and I watched a program about fossil discoveries.

The narrator commented that at some point in the history of man, humanity was reduced to just a handful of people. He called it an unexplainable “bottleneck.” My husband and I were practically shouting, “Hello … it’s called ‘the flood!”’

Did you know that every major civilization has a “flood story” as part of its oral or written history? Even though mankind was dispersed after the tower of Babel, and many truths were perverted or lost, the magnitude of such a worldwide event caused it to be embedded in the stories handed down. And yet, many scientists do everything they can to explain away the evidence.

Truths from the Flood Story

These two chapters cover the biblical account of the flood and God’s deliverance of Noah and his family. And what incredible truths these two chapters contain!

John MacArthur lists four key points in his Daily Bible:

1. “God retains ultimate control of world events.” (This should be a great encouragement to those of us who belong to Him.)

2. “God can and will judge sin.” (Even though God is patient and merciful, He is also holy and just.)

3. “God can and does exercise grace even in judgment.” (We can come into the ark of salvation. While God disciplines those He loves, we will not suffer the judgment of eternal separation from God if we have accepted God’s offer of salvation by grace and the forgiveness of our sins.)

4. “An even more universal and final judgment will be carried out on the world based on God’s timetable.” (The Book of Revelation makes that truth apparent.)

If you struggle to align the Bible’s record of history with much that is taught as fact today, study the world’s geography, the fossil record, and other scientific data in light of a worldwide flood. When you do, things begin to make perfect sense. Answers in Genesis and the Institute for Creation Research are two places to start. And Del Tackett who did “The Truth Project” has a documentary on DVD or digital download. You can view the trailer below. Although, I want to emphasize that the Bible is true because God says it is and not because science proves it out.

Psalm 3.1-4:

But You, O Lord …

I love how the psalms express the feelings and emotions we all feel at times, but I also love how they generally take us from a focus on the circumstances to the “but God.”

In this case, David was on the run from his own son and former friends who had turned against him. How discouraged he must have felt when he focused on the pain and disappointment. But then he turned his focus to God and remembered His faithfulness.

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head (v. 3).

What are some of the “But-God” truths that you need to consider in your situation? Is there a passage of Scripture or a promise to which you need to shift your focus? How has He been faithful in the past? How might He be working in the present?

Remember who He is and ask for His help to grow in faith and trust as you wait on Him.

Proverbs 1.20-22:

Wisdom Cries Out

I love the picture in this passage. Wisdom is portrayed as a woman calling out to us. She calls out in all the affairs of life: in the open squares, concourses, and gates of the city.

It reminds me that God is not interested in withholding His wisdom from us. He wants us to have it! But we must take it, learn it, and incorporate its truths into our lives. The only way to do that is to become intimately acquainted with His Word.

Closing Thoughts:

As you meditate on Jesus’ response to temptation in Matthew 4, ask yourself:

In what area am I fighting temptation?

How can I be better prepared for spiritual attacks?
What passages of Scripture address these issue?
Commit it to memory.
Set a goal to learn one verse or passage each week.

Coming Up:

As we continue through Genesis, one of my favorite books of the Bible, we’ll meet real people with real stories like yours and mine. In the coming weeks, we will read about Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob, Esau, and Joseph, just to name a few. We’ll witness sibling rivalry, favoritism, idolatry, deception, manipulation, and revenge. But through it all, we’ll see God’s sovereignty and grace and find hope for the messes we make of our lives.

In the New Testament, we’ll talk about radical surgery and look at Jesus’ outline for prayer, two other things that can help us in our spiritual attacks and battles.