Thurs.’s Devo - The Second Temptation

Read Matt. 4:5-7 The devil took Jesus and sat him on top of the corner of the temple roof and told him to jump down because the Word says In Ps. 91 that God will give his angels care over him and they will catch him in their hands and not let him be hurt. Jesus’ reply was: “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” The definition in the Hebrew of the word “darkness” is “a twist away from the light”. Satan dwells in darkness and this is his tactic. He uses scripture but twists them enough to deceive anyone who is gullible. Jesus was not gullible. Sure, the scripture says just what satan said it did, but we are not to use scripture as a pawn in our hand to show off God’s power in a way that brings us glory. It would be like the snake handlers who bring snakes into their worship services and use them as a display of Mark 16:18: “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” We don’t tempt God’s hand. God can do anything he wants, but he always has a reason to display his power and it is for more than showing off. The truth is, Jesus was going to die to the north of that temple one day and his angels would bear him up to heaven. Once again, the devil wanted to tempt Jesus with the very destiny of his life to get him to receive his inheritance before the death. An inheritance comes to those whose names are on the will after the person has died. It is a free gift to the recipient of something he did nothing to receive. The devil wanted Jesus to desire his inheritance and by-pass the cross. Lord, open our eyes to ways we might be twisting your truth or expecting you to meet our selfish desires above your will. We delight to do your will.