In review of Matthew 4:4 it says, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (NLT).
Bottom line:
What’s needed, beyond bread, is God’s word in your life.
What this means to me:
While I need food to live on, my highest need is to absorb every word that comes from God.
Matthew 4:1-11 tells of how Jesus was led by the Sprint into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came to him and tempted him. First with turning stones into bread, secondly by telling him to jump off a mountain for his angels would keep him from falling and lastly with wealth and power on earth if he would just bow down to him. In all three temptations Jesus responded with scriptures. First, "people do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Secondly with "you must not test the Lord your God". Lastly with "you must worship the Lord you God and serve only him."
This time of testing showed that Jesus really was the son of God, able to overcome the devil and his temptations. A person has not shown true obedience if he or she has never had the opportunity to disobey. I will be tested. Given this I should know that testing will come and that I should be alert and ready for it. My convictions will be strong only if they hold up under pressure.
The devil will always try to get me to live out life his way rather than God's. When temptations seem especially strong, or when I think I can rationalize giving in, I need to consider whether Satan is trying to block God's purpose for my life.
Jesus provides me with an example to follow when I'm tempted. He faced temptation but did not give in. What I'm learning is that I may feel dirty when tempted, temptation itself is not sin. I sin when I give in and disobey God.
The devil will tempt me when I’m most vulnerable. In times of physical or emotional stress or when I’m lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, or faced with uncertainty. He also likes to tempt me via my strengths, where I'm most susceptible to pride. I must guard against his attacks at all times.
As I concentrate on Matthew 4:4 this morning, I find that in order to have a healthy mind, I must feed my mind with truth.
I know about the importance of nutrition. Good food and good calories make me stronger and healthier and give me more energy. Bad calories and junk food harm my body. A similar principle is true in my thought life: I must feed my mind not with junk or poison but with truth.
The best leaders make the best decisions when they have the best information. Even if I’m a good leader, if I don’t have the best information, I’m more likely to make a bad decision.
I need the best information to live the best life that God wants me to live. That information is right there in the Word of God.
The Bible says in Matthew 4:4, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (NLT).
God wants me to have the best information so that I can make the best decisions and receive God’s best for my life. I do this by feeding on the Word of God throughout my day, every day.
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