Satan uses Scripture to tempt Jesus by using half-truths to make God jump in and save him. However, we know this doesn’t work! Let’s read Matthew 4:5-7 and Luke 4:9-10. In what city does Satan tempt Jesus? How did Jesus get there? What did Satan tempt Jesus to do?
It would probably be easy for Jesus to put Satan in his place. Jesus chose to go through the temptation, the pain, to choose to identify with our pain. He chose this to show us how to walk and live in victory over our circumstances. Satan proposes that if he throws himself off the temple’s highest point, the angels will save him. Read Matthew 4:4 and then Psalm 91:11-12. What did Satan do here these verses? He copies what Jesus did and said, “It is written,” and then uses Psalm 91 and twisted the scripture to his agenda. Satan knows God’s Word. He can quote it and twists it, and It’s what he does. He is the father of lies. We need to be able to identify what his lies are.
How did Jesus know the scripture so well? Is it because He is God too? As a young boy, he did what all Jewish boys did. He learned the ancient text and memorized the words to know how to avoid half-truths and deceptions when he heard them. How many of us are willing to put the effort and time into learning and memorizing scripture. How many of us are willing to take the time to abide in the Vine truly? When Jesus was tired and hungry, even weakened, He did not waver in what He knew was the truth.
Why do people fall for the false teachings and half-truths that are taught? Read 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, and Acts 20: 28-31. What do these verses say? What do they warn? What will happen in later times? Who would lead them astray? False teachers are skillfully manipulating Scripture to deceive others. Is that happening today? So how do we protect ourselves from these lies and half-truths? Read Acts 17:10-12. What did the Bereans do after hearing someone teach from the Scripture? They search the word for themselves. This is what we also need to do. Search the Word, study the Word, memorize the Word. We need to be aware of the people we follow, those who we allow influencing our lives.
Today let us start to search the Word for its truth and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that we will desire to take time to search for your word and to know your truth. I pray that we will abide more in you so we can tell when there are half-truths and when your word is being twisted.
In Jesus Name
Amen
