Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV)
Jesus as revealed in Scripture is the final word and God’s final revelation to us. To look beyond him is saying what he has accomplished isn’t enough. The fulfillment of all Scripture, all law, all prophecy and the salvation of his elect is found in him alone.
When we desperately look for miracles to validate Jesus beyond resurrection from the dead, which is what regeneration is, we show our lack of understanding and our lack of value for the cross. There is nothing more beautiful and valuable than Jesus and because of this there is nothing more amazing than the gospel—the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus himself. God has revealed himself in Christ and Christ has revealed himself to us in the Word.
The Power of the Scripture
Immediately after Jesus was baptized in water by John the Baptist, where the Father said from heaven “This is Son in whom I am well pleased,” Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. Jesus had been fasting forty days and was tired and hungry. So as our perfect example, what did Jesus do when faced with temptation? He did the same exact thing that we should do, he turned to the scripture.
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. Matthew 4:1-11 (NASB)
Overcoming Three Weaknesses
Jesus was tempted by the devil through the three weaknesses of humanity: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. In response, Jesus quoted three times from the book of Deuteronomy. Jesus is the Word and Jesus is the truth but when tested he showed us the power of the Word of God.
I want to be clear about something: Many people use this passage to try and support a false teaching that quoting the scriptures has a mystical power, that if you say them out loud that its power is set free in the universe to work on your behalf. This is not what we should learn from this passage. This is all about understanding and applying God’s Word. It’s about counteracting lies with truth. It is about hearing, perceiving and doing!
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:22-25 (ESV)
When we quote Scripture to overcome temptation, we are meditating on something we have learned, something we perceive and something we believe. The power to overcome sin through Scripture isn’t that it changes our circumstance or our situation, but that Scripture transforms us and changes us. The Scripture makes wise the simple, makes us clean and converts the heart into salvation.
In Christ,
Pastor Joshua
Joshua West is a pastor, evangelist, and author. He is also director of the World Challenge Pastors Network.