Today’s Devotion
Title: It is also written!
Text: Matt 4:6 – 7
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” AMEN.
Everyday, believers and unbelievers alike, quote portions of scripture that should favour the actions they want to take. Be it good or bad.
The interesting thing about the Bible is, there is a verse that seemingly supports every free will action of man. Especially when taken out of context and its interpretation ‘twisted around’ a little bit to suit the person’s interest.
So that unless a person’s love for God is pure and their relationship with the Holy Spirit, genuine, he/ she will always try to use the Holy Scripture to their perversed advantage.
From the text above, it is evident that there was a scripture that supported what the devil said to Jesus. But the motive for quoting that verse to Jesus, was not to edify nor inspire, it was just to tempt Him to fall.
Day in day out, satan (who knows the bible too) tries to tempt us with what is written and encourage our own interpretation of it (NOT THE RHEMA THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES). Before you know, your actions have become contrary to nature of God.
When he ‘quoted’ the scripture, though genuine, he manipulated its interpretation to put Jesus directly on the spot to prove He was the Son of God. Now, if Jesus had complied, that would be testing God. For it is wrong to intentionally put oneself in harm’s way and tell God to rush to our rescue to prove He is God. Jehovah does not need to prove Himself as God by the test of men. Jesus refused to be manipulated by the devil.
But how did He succeed? Two ways! First of all, Jesus knew the context of the scripture the devil quoted and understood it did not imply that we test God to prove Himself. Secondly, He knew what was ALSO WRITTEN elsewhere in the bible that says testing God is wrong. So from understanding the true Rhema of satan’s quote plus other scripture too, He stood on the truth and exposed satan’s deceit.
This means therefore, that every beleiver must spend considerable time studying the word of God for themselves. They must also rely on the Holy Spirit for the divine interpretation of God’s word, one that is consistent with ALL OTHER scripture and consistent with the very nature of God.
For when we do not know what is ALSO WRITTEN, that’s where the enemy will use false teachers to project an out-of-context scripture and encourage our compliance. We ignorantly act upon it to realise we stand in direct opposition to the will of God for us.
Meditate on this word and begin to pray Beloved. Ask the Holy Ghost to create in you a hunger for the WORD and for righteousness. Ask for RHEMA each time you study the word so that your actions be in accordance to His will and nature. Finally, pray that God inscribes His Word in your heart so that you do not sin against Him. Remember, it is always also written: DO NOT PUT THE LORD THY GOD TO TEST! God bless us all.
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