Resisting Temptation Through God's Word | July 1st, 2026

Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, our Savior wielded the sword of the Spirit—God's Word. Three times Jesus responded, "It is written." Temptation itself is not sin; Jesus was tempted yet without sin. The sin comes when we entertain, engage, and embrace the temptation.

The enemy knows your weaknesses—whether sloth, silver, self, or sexual immorality. But God always provides a way of escape.

Often the escape will come by knowing the Word of God, as the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth! Pastor Mark reminded us that as we know the genuine, we will be easily able to see the counterfeit.

So, Memorize Scripture. When temptation whispers, respond with God's truth. Don't negotiate with the tempter. Confess quickly, repent genuinely, and run to Jesus. He understands your struggle and offers grace to help in time of need.