Jesus’ Battle Plan Against Temptation

(Matthew 4:3-4)

Matthew 4:3-4: “3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ””

In the 3rd chapter of Matthew, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptizer for the sake of fulfilling all righteousness (v. 15). We know from the rest of the book (and 3 other gospel accounts) that in His life, He certainly fulfilled all righteousness. Continuing on to our section for today in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus went into the wilderness while fasting and was tempted by Satan. In verse 4, Jesus says the familiar line, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”. Jesus was starving. He wanted food, and yet when He was tempted with the very thing He wanted, He directed His attention upward. From this point on, Jesus refutes the temptations from the Tempter and uses the words that proceed from the mouth of God to do so. This verse serves as a precursor for the defense that is to come. While Jesus was perfect, and while He had down every perfect argument in the book, He still had to battle a temptation here. But Jesus knew that He had the perfect battle plan: the Word of God. 

I wonder how often today we battle temptation and use the battle plan of Jesus. When tempted or put through a trial, do we confront it with the word of God or rely on ourselves? This time of year is so stressful. The holiday season comes with its own “mini-trials”—what to get your relatives for Christmas, travel plans, the weather, having to take time from work, and the list of stressors goes on and on. When stress is up, temptation comes. The enemy knows when you are vulnerable. The enemy will be preying on those who seemingly cannot withstand the temptations that are sent their way. These times do come and will continue to come, so when they do, will you go to the battle plan of Jesus? Will you put your trust in the word of God? Will you live by the word of God and not by bread alone?

Through these times of stress, trial, and storm, will you allow Jesus to pull you out and carry you through? I hope and pray earnestly for each of you that your answer to these questions is simply “Yes.”. My challenge to you for today and the foreseeable future is to reflect on this passage and let the Word navigate you through your temptation. Trust in the guidance of God and the words that proceed from His mouth. Follow the battle plan of Jesus, because He will carry you through.

Written by: Mason MacDonald

Bibliography:

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).