God Answers the Devil

Moses was a great prophet and leader. He addressed the people of Israel just before they entered the Promised Land. The old man had heard many things during his life of 120 years but it might have surprised him to hear how Jesus answered the Devil. The evil one gave Jesus three test during the 40 day fast in the desert. Every word Jesus spoke to the devil was taken from the speech of Moses as recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. 

It is worth investigating what God said to the Devil. There are many different ideas of the way these three answers apply to us. Prayerfully we will attempt to see the simplest way to apply these words to our lives. When asked to make bread Jesus said: ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’  Matt 4:4 (NLT). We can say here that the things of God are more important than anything on Earth. 

These words were for the people entering the land of Israel where food was plentiful. Moses continued his statement by saying: Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good. “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. Deut 8:5-6 (NLT). When we have plenty of physical food the bread of the Lord can come to us as discipline. We need it to grow. 

Jesus was making it clear to the devil that he would continue to follow God even when there was no food to eat. Our example is Jesus and whatever our test is we should make up our minds to be as dedicated to God as Jesus was during his test. Apparently our discipline and our test are the same in some cases. Whatever we want to label the problems in our lives they have been given for our own good if we insist on dedicating our life to the Lord. 

Next we read that Jesus answered this when asked to jump from a high place: “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’ Matt 4:7 (NLT). When people “test the Lord” they don’t believe that God will always do the best thing for them. In other words we do what we think is best in a situation. The Devil is always asking us to become active in worldly challenges. We simply cannot put our worldly priorities ahead of God’s. 

Israel failed twice to trust God when they needed water. Jesus quoted this Scripture: You must not test the Lord your God as you did when you complained at Massah. You must diligently obey the commands of the Lord your God— Deut 6:16,17 The first failure happened when they left Egypt in Ex. 17:6 and Moses struck the rock one time. After the 40 years in the desert the people had not learned to trust God. They tested God again before they entered Israel in Num 20:8. Israel did not believe God would provide their needs. 

The last test of Jesus was the Devil’s offer to rule on earth. Jesus said: For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ Matt 4:10 (NLT). Our enemy has offered many worldly positions to God’s people in our own church. If we allow the Devil to distract us from following the Lord it may prove to be fatal. We must serve our God first and nothing else can be permitted to rule our life. 

Here is what Moses was saying at the time: The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the Lord… Deut 6:11-12 (NLT). When people become prosperous they are in danger of forgetting the Lord. God wants us to trust Him for everything. 

These three simple principles were firmly stated by Jesus to the Devil. First we must desire a spiritual life above everything else. Second we must believe that God will provide for our physical needs while we seek the spiritual. And the last principle sums it up by saying that we will only serve and worship the true God. The Devil received clear answers from Jesus that day and it is our duty to continue His message in the name of the Lord.