Focus on God’s Word
by Dr. Tony Evans
In His Presence: In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth (James 1:18).
In addition to focusing on God’s character, we must also focus on God’s Word in order to resist temptation. Sometimes we don’t understand the importance of the Word and the fact that it is alive and active. We view Scripture like the Queen of England: She holds the top position in the country, but she has absolutely no power. She can’t pass any laws or enforce any decrees. Many of us hold God’s Word in high esteem, but it has no power in our lives. The Bible wasn’t meant to decorate your coffee table or be held under your arm at church. The Word of God was written because of what it can do in our lives. James 1:18 explains that we were brought forth by the word of truth; the Word brought us spiritual life.
The Word saved us, and it can also sanctify us. God’s Word works in the spiritual realm. Temptation exists in the spiritual realm, and only God’s words have power and authority in that arena. When the Devil tempted Christ in the wilderness, he told Christ to “command that these stones become bread” (Matthew 4:3). He offered a physical temptation to meet a physical desire for food. But Jesus resisted the temptation by calling on the Word of God. He said: “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This is a direct quote from Deuteronomy 8. Jesus knew the Scripture so well that He could employ it to resist the temptation the Devil was throwing at Him. He stood on the authority of God’s Word to recognize that He would trust in God and God’s Word.
One Minute Please
God’s Word is our sure guide to weather the clouds of life, no matter what our senses or emotions tell us.
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