10-02-23-ENG.

"You shall not put the LORD your God to the test. "

Deuteronomy 6:16 
JUST JUMP!
 
Read It: Matthew 4:5-7
Did you know that the Devil knows the Bible? During the temptation in the wilderness, he even tried out Jesus' own words on Him: "It is written" (v. 6). Why did Satan do this? He was saying to Jesus, "I can't get You to act independently of God, so let me work through Your religion." gion." So don't get all ruffled because people use the Bible to promote their agendas. Hell uses the Bible. Satan says, "Well, since you don't want to act independently of God, let's put it all on God." He took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple, about four hundred feet up, and quoted Scripture to Him about how God would catch Him if He jumped, thereby proving His Messiahship to Israel as He miraculously floated down to earth. So the second temptation was to question the plan of God. See, Satan offered to help Jesus fulfill God's plan for His life. After all, He was the Messiah, wasn't He? What's wrong with proving it? Let me tell you something: God does not need Satan's help to get you where He wants you to go. Let me tell you what Satan was really saying. "You can skip the Cross, Jesus. I know every knee is going to bow to You and all that stuff, but if You do my plan, You can skip the Cross. You can be recognized as King of the Jews right here and now!" What did Jesus say? "On the other hand" (v. 7).

In other words, "If you're going to quote My Word, Satan, let's see the whole picture." You can never back God into a corner so that He has to perform a miracle for you. God has a plan, and when it's time for you to get that mate, that job, that promotion, you will get it. But don't go leaping off a temple. Don't go doing sinful things to accomplish spiritual goals. You don't have to compromise. promise. What you need is forty days of fasting and prayer in the presence of God. If you're going to defeat Satan, imitate Jesus. Know God's Word so well that no one can fool you into trying to achieve His will by taking shortcuts. Think About It If Satan knows the Bible and you don't, you are in big-time trouble, because you don't have anything to use against him.