In Matthew 4, we find the familiar narrative of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. The tempter, Satan, came to Jesus with three different temptations:
- The first temptation was to test whether Jesus would meet His own needs.
- The second temptation tested whether Jesus believed in the protection of God.
- The third temptation tested whether Jesus would seek to gain His Kingdom by means other than God’s will.
With each temptation, Jesus replied with the Word of God, quoting Scripture to resist the enemy and overcome the temptation.
The enemy will always tempt us with something that is inherently good, for he will never be successful unless it is somewhat believable. He always distorts with just enough truth, or good, to get us hooked.
This Lent season, I am using NT Wright’s, Lent for Everyone, Matthew Devotional.
NT Wright reminds us that while Jesus was tempted just as we are, He also knew how to resist temptation, thus showing us the means by which we can as well.
“(Notice how His mind, well stocked with Scripture, comes back again and again with the right response.)
(from the reading, The Saturday After Ash Wednesday)
I think NT worded it in a way that we will ask a question of ourselves:
Are our minds well stocked with Scripture so that we can come back again and again with the right response when facing temptation?
It was those words, “well stocked”, which came into focus.
We so want the supermarket shelves to be well stocked when we are to grocery shop. We want them to be filled with the necessary and desired items. We hope for a full and sufficient supply so they don’t run out before we get there.
We can have Scripture memorized, and in our memory banks. But it is more than an intellectual exercise of memory. It must become truth applied to our hearts so that we are able to draw from that deep well within us.
“The Bible in the memory is better than the Bible in the book case.”
(Charles Spurgeon)P
“Your word have I treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
(Psalm 119:11, NASB)
It is not enough to simply recognize the voice of the enemy.
We must have the correct weaponry to fight him off.
Our hearts and minds must be well stocked with Scripture.
We often hear we are to pray Psalm 91 for protection over ourselves and families. In her post, Psalm 91: Prayer Points for Your Family and Friends, Stacey Pardoe reminds us of the power we find in praying through this psalm. But more so, she reminded me to give thanks that we can pray each part of this psalm. We have a God who desires to be our shelter and protection.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
I like both the wording and the concept of having our minds well-stocked with Scripture. I love Jesus’ example of using His Word to resist the devil. He could have just rebuked him and made him go away, but He left us an example to follow.
“Well-stocked.” Those words have stuck with me as well making me realize anew the importance of Scripture memorization.
Oh Joanne, I love that Spurgeon quote – “The Bible in the memory is better than the Bible in the book case.”
I’m amazed at the way all those passages of Scripture that I learned DECADES ago come to mind. Along with all 6 verses of every hymn ever sung. It’s a treasure trove I’m grateful for.
Going through them A – Z is how I fall asleep at night.
It is amazing the things which remain in our hearts. You made me smile as my dad often says he falls asleep going through things A-Z. Sometimes it is people he prays for and sometimes songs. Perhaps it is a habit I need to cultivate in my life 🙂 Blessings today!
Joanne, having our hearts and minds “well-stocked” with Scriptures highlights our need to walk in wisdom in and out of season.
Comment *❤️
Just before I sat down this morning to read this post I was looking in my pantry & that phrase was already in my mind Joanne!
I love when God gives us reinforcement to a message!
We need to be continually stocking our spiritual pantry, as we do our kitchen pantries, so it’s ‘well stocked’.
Blessings, Jennifer
Sobering thoughts, Joanne. I always marveled at Jesus’ encounter with satan, as God He could have put him in his place in a number of ways, and certainly debated on any issue, yet Jesus instead concisely quoted scripture. May we hide God’s word in our hearts, as stock ready for the Holy Spirit’s use against the snares of the evil one.
I was just thinking about following a Lent devotional, and now will search for N T Wrights. I like the imagery of having our minds “well-stocked” with with scripture, and and the shelves never empty. May we always be hungry for His words, too!
I am beginning to feel an urgency about filling my mind with scripture. It’s a treasure, and it also crowds out all the unhealthy thinking that tries to fight for a prominent place in our minds.
“The Bible in the memory is better than the Bible in the book case.” I hadn’t heard that before. I certainly want to treasure it in my heart.
Oh, this is such a good word for me, Joanne! I want my mind to be so filled with God’s Word that it flows from me. Thank you for challenging us! God’s Word is truly a treasure!
It is through challenges and, in the challenge, turning to scripture that it has stayed in my memory and heart. It’s almost like it has to travel through the heart into the memory. I remember reading and reading as a child but not really knowing that it was applicable, a source of comfort and hope, though I knew I had to read it to know Him. The breakdown of what satan was truly tempting Jesus with was enlightening – thank you for revealing that!
This is a rich post, my friend. The imagery of our mind being “well stocked” is so good with “applied” truth not simply memorized passages. Charles Spurgeon’s quote is outstanding! Thanks so much for this.
Joanne, love this fresh take on well-stocked scripture for our temptations. This is a great reminder, “The enemy will always tempt us with something that is inherently good, for he will never be successful unless it is somewhat believable. He always distorts with just enough truth, or good, to get us hooked.” Thank you!
Such an interesting analogy, Joanne! A well-stocked spiritual life doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built slowly, faithfully, verse by verse. And when the need arises, we discover that what we tucked away in quiet seasons becomes exactly what sustains and affirms us in hard ones! Thanks, once again, for the reminder!
Having our minds “well stocked” with scripture is such a good work picture, Joanne. I’m so thankful for the verses that are on the shelves of my mind, especially at night when I’m having trouble sleeping. Wonderful post, dear friend.