Text In Context

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:3-4)

“Temptation is something that must be approached with serious and sacred awe, because it is a thing that God utilizes in order to bring His people, that are His very own, from deliverance into promise and purpose.” –Rev. Dr. Samuel Vassel

During Sunday’s sermon Pastor Sam noted that when Jesus said “It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone…'” in Matthew 4:4, our Lord was giving more than just a Scripture verse. Jesus was sharing the context through which we are to understand the role of temptation in the life of God’s people. Deuteronomy 8:2-3 says:

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Pastor Sam shared that when we face a wilderness experience, our words become an open display of what has been residing within our hearts. Our pastor gave a contrast between two sorts of wilderness-walkers: the grateful and the grumbling. The ancient Israelites who had left Egypt with victorious shouts soon made it clear, through their words, that they despised the atmosphere and discipline imposed by their season in the wilderness. They despised the hunger, and they despised the manna. Sadly, their despising attitude morphed into outright disregard for God's servant Moses, and overt disobedience to God's law (see Exodus 32 and Acts 7:35-43). An entire generation died without moving into the promise and purpose God desired for them.

Let’s reflect on this today. And let’s ask: What about us? As we go through our wilderness experience, what is the response that courses through our hearts and out of our mouths?

Are you grateful, or are you grumbling?

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.