JULY 2 - Shortcuts
1-3 Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.”
4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
Matthew 4:1-4 MSG
As Christian’s we should be examples of how to live life, if we keep Godly principles then our lives should be admirable and serve as examples to others the way Jesus’ life was. Things like:
Loving your enemies
Practicing holiness
Trusting in God’s will instead of our own
Will help us, but what about practically? The devil wanted Jesus to find a shortcut. He says, “You’re hungry right? Why don’t you-
speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.”
He was attacking his flesh. You see, our flesh makes us take shortcuts. It says to us:
Not satisfied in your walk with God? Find a way to satisfy yourself.
Feeling down and depressed? Hm, drugs can help get away from it all.
These are shortcuts, and they are everywhere. That’s why Jesus says, if I’m hungry, I’ll need more than bread to stay alive, I NEED GOD.
“It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”
Are you taking any shortcuts?
Do you see any weaknesses you might have in a different way?