DAY 8 : Loving the WHOLE Word of God
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' " Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”
- Matthew 4:5-7 (NIV)
The second temptation that came against Jesus was a very deceptive test; everything about it appeared spiritual. As they are standing in the holy city, at the highest point of the temple. Satan actually tempts Jesus to do something, using Scripture - a promise from God, no less. He tries to lure Jesus with a promise of protection, and to prove the promises of God before others. Everything about it appears as if it could be from God.
What was the key to overcoming this test? We find it in Jesus' response: “It is also written..."
In other words, though Satan was quoting the very words of God, it was not the only thing written in Scripture. It was not the complete message (the full counsel) of God, nor was its application being initiated by God, but rather by the will of another.
Unfortunately, this is becoming rampant in the Body of Christ today. Many are building their lives on partial truths found in Scripture, considering them to be the only thing spoken by God. In our passion for restoring certain truths, we have fallen into ways of thinking that neglect other key truths in His Word!
Paul says in Acts 20:26-27, "Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God."
While Scripture is always true, if it is not taken alongside other Scripture that gives the full insight, meaning and understanding, and if we are not careful to be led by the Holy Spirit into all truth - we could actually be led away by the enemy into distraction, which leads to deception, and ultimately, which leads to spiritual destruction.
If we fail to love the whole Word of God, and if we fail to eat from His Word as our daily bread, we can subtly begin to be lured away into false comfort, false peace, a compromised gospel, and into false promises that could be every bit as dangerous as jumping off the temple heights - it could lead to our own destruction spiritually, both in our lives and in our callings!
Friends, are we neglecting the Word of God? Or do we have a love for the whole counsel of God - regardless of the personal implications it could have for us, our relationships, our reputations and our lives?
PRAYER RESPONSE:
Take a moment to bring your heart before the Lord, praying through these questions & reflections.
1. Do I have a love for the whole Word of God (the Bible)? Am I willing to set aside whatever I think, and however I desire to live, if the Word of God contradicts something in my life? Am I willing to conform my whole life to it?
2. Lord, am I interpreting Your eternal Word through the eyes of men, through man's way of thinking, or through the teachings of men (even other believers)? Am I subtly looking for reasons to explain why Your Word is not actually saying what it is saying? Do I fear men more than I fear You? Or does Your Word have the primary place in my life?
3. Jesus, am I truly willing to make You the Lord (Master, Leader) of my life, and not only my Savior? Am I truly willing to take and believe every word that You have written in Your Word, regardless of the implications or the consequences it could have for me, before the eyes of men?
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