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Not by Bread Alone
by A.J. Wilson

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” Deut 8:3

You probably recognize the last portion of this verse, as it is found in Matthew 4:4 as Jesus’ first reply to Satan in the wilderness.  As we continue to look at the Bible and its importance to Christians, this verse from the Pentateuch (Books of Moses) shows that from the very beginning of the Bible God reinforces the emphasis on knowing His scriptures. 

When Jesus quotes this verse to Satan, He was in the middle of his 40 day fast in the wilderness.  Without question, this was a miracle for Jesus’ body to keep going for 40 days, but I believe that his flesh was in a deep hunger, and would be very tempted when the Devil suggested turning the stones to bread.  Just like Jesus, the Devil will tempt us the most often when we don’t have a Bible close.  In order to combat the Devil when he comes to tempt us, we must memorize scriptures like Jesus had.  An especially important area to memorize scriptures is where you are the weakest, or are most vulnerable to temptation.  For example, if you are tempted often to say things you shouldn’t, you could memorize scriptures such as Psalms 141:3, Eph 4:29-32,  Col 3:8, or James 3:8.

The Bible is our weapon against the Devil and temptations, and faith in its teachings will shield us against the world’s false teachings.  There are many scriptures which show the power harnessed within the pages of the Bible, including: Psalms 119 (longest chapter in the Bible, and every verse states something about the scriptures), Isaiah 40:8, 55:11, Luke 24:27-33, John 8:31-32 , 1 Tim 4:6-16, Heb 4:12, James 1:21. My favorite is 2 Timothy 3:16

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” 

for doctrine: 2Thes 2:15, 1 Tim 4:6, 4:13, Titus 1:9, James 1:25

for reproof: 1 Cor 10:11, Heb 4:12, Heb 12:3-11, 1 Pet 4:5-6

for correction: Psalms 119:9-11, John 15:1-2

for instruction: Psalms 119: 97-105, Acts 20:32, 1 Thes 2:13, 2 Tim 2:15

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