When I am faced with a difficult decision – I sometimes wonder how to respond? Of course I know the Christian thing to do but that’s not always how I choose to respond. Instead, I may get angry and lash out or even withdraw entirely without speaking a word.
When Jesus was approached by the adversary – he knew exactly how to respond. Jesus responded with the word of God. Matthew 4:3-11 let’s us know how the conversation between Jesus and the adversary progressed.
When the adversary approached Jesus at the end of a 40 day fast, suggesting that Jesus turn the stones to bread – Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, saying “man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
When the adversary went to his next ploy, telling Jesus to throw himself down, because the word says God would not allow Jesus to be hurt; Jesus responded with the word in Deuteronomy 6:16, saying: “You shall not tempt the Lord your God.”
Then the adversary proceeded to ask for what he wants from all of Christ’s followers. The adversary asked Jesus to bow down and worship him. At that point Jesus called the adversary by his given name as he said, “Be gone Satan! You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”(Deuteronomy 6:13-15)
Jesus was well prepared to respond to the enemy with the word of God. I find it interesting to know Jesus did not quote the whole Bible. In fact, Jesus stayed in the book of Deuteronomy with his responses. We can learn something here. We need not memorize the whole Bible -- word for word. As we are diligent in prayer, reading the Bible, and spending time with other believers — we too will respond to difficult situations with the word of God. If a scripture does not come to your mind immediately — find a scripture for your situation. Be encouraged to use the word of God in life’s difficult situations.
God is faithful!!
