In Matthew 4:3-4, Jesus had fasted 40 days and 40 nights and was at a point of intense hunger. That was the moment that Satan chose to strike. It says, "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
The Mind Becomes the Battlefield
These days the Christian lifestyle is very much like this. Forty days fasting is a picture of our pressing in to live daily as our Lord instructs. Over time it gets hard but it also stretches us to the point that our natural human senses begin to cry out for the bread of carnality - a carnal life is human intellect living without obedience to Godly instruction. Our minds become clouded and while we're in what appears to be a weakened state of mind, that's when "the tempter" strikes. The mind becomes the battlefield.
What sense does it make that after striving your way through trials and tests to just drop and walk away?
After "40 days" of intense discipline, all of a sudden, it may seem okay to toss everything you've worked so hard for aside and consume the very things you were resisting. The tempter makes it look good; what a relief, he says. You may think, "Oh it would be so much easier to just give in". Yes, that would be easy but Jesus responded, "not by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)." So, to overcome temptation the mind must be renewed by the word of God (Romans 12:1-2). This is how to become successful in life's endeavors. Transform your life by transforming your thinking with God's word. That is the key! What sense does it make that after striving your way through trials and tests to just drop and walk away?
Don't let humanity's cry for one dimensional living convince you that it's hopeless to continue walking with God. It may be easier to flow with the masses of commonality, but the losses will be equal to those efforts. Do that and you'll never really know what or who you could have been.
Our Prayer
Lord, pour out your mercy and grace on me! I need that strength you demonstrated when You resisted the tempter. In my times of weakness, help me to realize that I am strong. In those moments of doubt, when I hesitate, remind me of the power in obedience. I refuse to compromise what You have shown me to be Your will. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Today, I am refreshed by the power of God that is revealed by my choice to live the saved life. I am a winner and not a quitter. Please silence the lies that clutter and confuse my mind. Lead me to feed on that which builds my faith. With all diligence, I will add to my faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, and to that, patience and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, love! Thank you Lord for taking me from bread to life in Christ! In Jesus's name, Amen!
~Inspiring Hope and Seasoning Faith, Pastor Sean Daigre
Dr. Regina M. Daigre, Prayer Firewall Blog Founder | Editorial Director