Topic: Living on the Word
Text: Matthew 4:1-4
Key verse: But He replied, it has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Verse 4 (AMPC)
Certain issues may be ambiguous in the Old Testament, but when Jesus came to the earth, one of the things he did was to give clarity on those issues. The subject of anxiety and worry about provision was one of the issues Jesus addressed. Anxiety about life, what to eat, what to wear, how to meet your responsibilities are common issues believers have to deal with daily. Jesus gives the key to how to live by first removing the wrong belief.
But He replied, it has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone.., This opening statement reveals that man had believed that bread alone is what you need to live. This generally implies that man assumed that pursuing and meeting physical needs alone is all that matters to live well.
A man by design is made in the image of God; he is a spirit living in a body having a soul. When you focus only on bread alone, you meet the needs of the body and neglect the needs of the spirit and the soul. Bread is important for physical strength, but when a man\’s spirit is broken, the desire for food is lost. A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person\’s strength. Proverbs 17:22
Emotional health is determined by the state of the soul and spirit, food alone cannot take care of it. Jesus gives us insight on what should be the priority for living, for both physical and emotional health. But He replied, it has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Every word of God is all you need to live!
This may sound too simple, especially when you consider some of the complicated issues we have to deal with in our businesses, parenting, ministry, and relationships. But that is why Jesus had to come to the earth and live like a man so he can understand what man is truly facing. He lived a perfect life, despite facing the limitations, pressures, and challenges of human life.
For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
Jesus relied on every word of God to handle his needs daily. He always found meaning and relevance for his situations by referring to the scriptures. Where do you turn to for answers first? What you don\’t know in the scriptures cannot work for you. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. It takes knowledge to live in freedom; you need the truth, not facts to live well.
Every testimony in scriptures about provision is rooted in knowing the truth about God\’s ability and character which are revealed in his promises. What promises do you know that assures you of provision? Those are the things your life is running on now; you may need to update what you know to live better.
More than living, God\’s word sustains you in the time of stress, affliction, or trials. If you lack the requisite word, you will be unable to stand your ground in faith. Faith comes by hearing the word, invest more time and resources in building up your faith for every aspect of life, we have a perfect example to follow, Jesus lived by the word, and he finished strong.
Invest today to increase your knowledge base of the word, download an app like Youversion, Biblegateway, and get a new version of the bible you will find easier to read. Include in your schedule, a topical, character, or book study and you will discover after one month, how much your spirit will be strengthened and your emotional healing will spring up quickly too.
Live by the word!
Roses&Thorns