1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone. 5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” 9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 12 Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:1-13)
Today we continue our consideration of the passage from Luke 4:1-13. In considering the passage we are focusing on how Jesus practiced the Discipline of Bible study. In this passage and several others throughout the New Testament it is clear that Jesus did not have a casual relationship with Bible. In fact, Jesus often spent time in the synagogue discussing the Bible. Please review the passage again and answer the two questions below.
Today’s Questions:
- Who else quotes the Bible in this passage?
- How does this reinforce the need for Bible Study?
February 23, 2016 at 12:17 am
The devil also quotes the Bible as a way to persuade Jesus. I find this so relevant because many times it isn’t just the world leading us to sin, but other believers or those who twist the words of the Bible for their own gain. By delving deeply into the word and listening to what God tells us to do, we are less likely to be led astray. We will have a firm foundation and a stronger faith.
February 23, 2016 at 5:39 am
We see a ‘cut and thrust’ war of words with the devil quoting the Bible as a counter to Jesus’ use of the Word in this season of temptation. [Sometimes in our own dry seasons the Word is all we have to rely on.] If we don’t know what the Bible says and in proper context we can be led down the proverbial garden path by people who quote or misquote it to justify their point of view. Look where that got Adam and Eve! We don’t want to be derailed by a “has God said” so we need to study in order to ‘rightly divide (handle) the word of truth’ (2Tim 5:17) and provide a reference point for Holy Spirit to bring God’s Word –alive and active (Heb 4:12) – to our remembrance when circumstances require it.
February 23, 2016 at 5:43 am
Who else quotes the Bible in this passage?
How does this reinforce the need for Bible Study?
Yes the devil is also quoting the bible here but his aim is to distort it to his own advantage and to ensure that we break the rules of God constantly.
In ref to the questions posed yesterday, we have to know the world to speak it and today it might be said, we have to know the word in order to quote it in an encounter like this.
And my prayer for all of us is that: Lord teach us your word and make it permanent in our heart in Jesus mane, amen.
Daniel
February 23, 2016 at 10:43 am
If your greatest enemy – Satan can quote Scripture, then you are doomed if you don’t know the Word and lack the tools to counter the claims of the Father of All Lies. Satan knows those who are weak in the Word and is prowling around like a lion ready to devour you.
February 23, 2016 at 10:02 pm
Perhaps more accurately we could say Jesus quotes but Satan misquotes the Bible. The counterfeit seems so real that only if one knows the Word, one will recognize the distortion of it by the subtle deceiver, inept pretender and shoddy imitator.
It is important to study the Bible so that we can know when God speaks and be able to speak/use the Word and apply it to our lives. Then and only then, can we exercise complete authority over the devil and manifest the power that we have in Christ,