Main verse: Matthew 4:4
Chapter 4 of Matthew is titled in my bible “The temptation of Jesus” from verse 1-11 it writes that the devil tries to tempt Jesus into doing what he asks 3 times, as well as using the Bible to manipulate the situation. Although Jesus is in a position of being weak due to his 40 days and 40 nights of fasting, Jesus still continues to stand firm and remain devoted to God by rejecting all that the devil throws at Him.
These are Jesus’ replies…
first reply: “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (v. 4)
second reply: “Do not test the Lord your God” (v. 7)
third reply: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him” (v. 10)
bread = Jesus’ temptation to eat due to his hunger (first and easiest target where one is weak)
some other examples of “bread” would be money, lust, friends, food, luxuries, clothes, and etc. But Jesus says that we do not (should not) live on these “breads” alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Why? Because these earthly temporary satisfactions can never quench the hunger deep inside us, our soul yearns for God. Therefore, we NEED God more than these “breads”, these earthly temptations.
So how do we stay strong like Jesus?
That is by staying connected and in-tune with God just like Jesus did every single moment of His life.
“Jesus was our example in that He lived His life in a very tight relationship with God. In the same way that some people must stay connected (via text messaging cell phones, emails, instant messages, etc.), Jesus related to God on an ongoing, never-ending basis. It was this tight and constant connection that gave Jesus the power and strength to do all he did. He stayed tuned to God and relied on God’s communication even more than he relied on food. It was his LIFELINE. And that’s what he wants for us too - to connect and stay tuned to him, to realize we need him more than we need food.” -Melody Carlson
So hang in there you guys..no matter how many times we face temptations, remember that we can find our strength in God alone!! :)
