Freedom is Good News Part 84

“In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)  What is trouble?  This word “trouble” is from a Greek word that literally means “pressure – that which burdens the human spirit”.  There are many things which, in this world, burden our spirits.  There are a lot of things that can get us down.  And yet we are living in what is arguably the wealthy nation in the history of mankind.  Even the poorest of us have more than 80% of the people in this world.

Having said that, I do not remember anyone, who is going through a trial, actually quote that scripture.  The first step in relieving a pressure, turning from a sin, relinquishing an evil thought or finding peace in ones strife filled life, is to quote the Word of God.  How do I know this?  Let’s look at Matthew 4:1-11; this is the episode where Jesus, having been led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, went without food for forty days and nights.  I believe we are familiar with the story; Satan came to tempt Him; “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.”  What was Jesus response?  “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  End of discussion!

Second temptation: Satan took Him to the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem and said, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.  For it is written: ‘He will command His angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”  Ah ha!!  Satan can quote scripture too!  But Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the LORD your God to the test.’”

Let us stop here for a second.  Concerning the stones into bread, Jesus quoted from Deut. 8:3.  In the second temptation, Satan quote from Psalm 91:11, 12 – but he did not quote it in its entirety; Satan left out an important part, the angels are “to guard you in all your ways … you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”  And so Jesus answers him from Deut. 6:16.  Sometimes Satan is straight forward and sometimes he is deceptive.  But Jesus knew what He had to do.

In the third temptation, Satan takes Jesus to a high mountain to show Him the kingdoms of the world and then says to Jesus, “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me.”  Jesus did not argue with Satan as to who had ownership of all things, but immediately, He said to him, “Away from me Satan!  For it is written: ‘Worship the LORD your God and serve Him alone.’”  And so the Devil left Jesus and we are told that the angels came and attended Him.

Isn’t it interesting what quoting scripture will do?  The temptations and trials that our Savior endured just melted away in the face of Him quoting from the Book of Life; God’s word!   And He has left for us an example that we might do as He has done.

More on this in the next article!