Matthew 4:1-11

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. ³ The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered, “It is written,

‘One does not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
    and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; ⁹ and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him

• Have you ever fasted?
• Have you ever given up food so that you could spend more time focusing on God?

As Jesus focused on God alone, He received the strength to resist the devil’s temptations. What destructive things do you find tempting in your life? Would a time of prayer and fasting be a prelude for tackling those temptations?

Prayer

God, as I turn to the remands of my belly three or more times a day, do I yield too easily to the ways of the world? Help me to take time to intentionally focus on You today, so that I can be empowered to overcome those things which lead to decay and destruction. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.