TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 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. Luke 4:1-2
Read: Luke 4:1-13
Listen: Luke 4
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Following his baptism, Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desolate wilderness. Satan’s primary form of attack is doubt. Questioning the authority and power of Jesus, Satan casts doubt on God’s love and goodness. He does this by using the word “If,” “If you are the Son of God” (Luke 4:3; 4:9). In this way, he wants to cast doubt on what God said. In all three of Jesus’s responses, he returns to Scripture, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Jesus repeatedly returns to the truth of God’s Word as he exchanges the “If” of Satan with the “It” of the Bible.
Still today, Satan continually uses voices that tell us God doesn’t care about us or can’t be trusted. “If God loved you, you would have been offered that job, the relationship would have worked out, or God would provide what you need.” Our response to these doubts needs to be the same as Jesus—replacing the “If” of the devil with the “It” of Scripture. Instead of believing the lies of Satan, we need to remember the truths of Scripture, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Memorize 1 John 3:1 as a first step towards replacing “If” with “It.” Place this verse in a location where it will continually remind you of God’s love and goodness. He is a God who can be trusted!
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
July is SOLITUDE. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
