Giving The Word

Giving the Word

Matthew 4:6-7, NLT

[Satan] said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 7Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’”

Setting the Scene

In this final temptation, Satan quoted Psalm 91:11-12, trying to appeal to the authority of Scripture to make the temptation more reasonable. Psalm 91 describes God’s protection of those who trust him. Satan was quoting the passage out of context, implying that God would protect his people even as they sin or make foolish choices, removing the natural consequences of those sinful acts and bad choices. Jumping off the Temple in a public display of God’s supernatural protection would not have been part of the Father’s will for his Son.

In context, Psalm 91 promises God’s protection for those who, while living in his will and serving him, find themselves in danger. It does not promise protection for artificially created crises in which Christians call out to God in order to test his love and care. God has built natural laws into our universe that we need to respect. We should not test God, asking him to suspend his natural laws to keep us from our foolishness. And that’s exactly the point made by Jesus in refuting Satan’s statement. He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16: “You must not test the LORD your God” (NLT).

By quoting Scripture, Jesus was affirming the authority of God’s Word. If God has said something, then that settles it. We should also see, however, that the Bible can be twisted and misused. Satan enjoys presenting half-truths or twisting God’s words to make them say something entirely different than their intended meaning.

Getting Personal

What examples have you heard or read when Scripture has been twisted or taken out of context to teach something contrary to God’s laws?

What can you do to guard against falling for Satan’s Bible-twisting lies?

Anyone can pull out a string of words or a short passage to support almost any action. When a verse is quoted or a passage referenced, we must make sure it reflects the actual meaning. God has given us an amazing resource. We must read and study it to learn his timeless truths. Then we should change our lives to conform to what God is telling us.

Talking to God

Pray for an increased hunger for the truths in God’s Word. Thank God for Scripture’s ultimate authority, power, and reliability.