Daily EncouragementSample

Our Lord is addressing Satan in the hour of temptation. The weapon he uses is “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Three times it flashes in the Saviour’s hand - “It is written . . . it is written . . . it is written” (verses 4, 7, 10). We need to have the word of God in our hearts as well as our Bibles in our hands when we meet the devil. Incidentally, there is also a place for having the holy book in our hands - a practice too often neglected these days.

The devil will sometimes misleadingly quote the Scriptures: “He will command his angels concerning you . . . ” (verse 5). There is no holy thing which he will not endeavour to twist to his own advantage. And his followers are like him. They may use the Scriptures, but they preach “a different gospel” (2 Cor. 11:4). A distortion of the Scriptures can result in destruction. (2 Pet. 3:16) It makes a lot of difference who quotes the Scripture.

Jesus answered him, It is also written . . . ” There is much significance in that “also.” We are to compare scripture with scripture, handling the word of truth correctly (2 Tim. 2:15). In order to do this we need, and we can have, the gracious aid of the Holy Spirit, who inspired the Scriptures in the first place.