The Bible has an answer for every question that troubles us, a way out for every temptation brought by the evil one, a cure for every illness we may contract, and a solution for any problem. To enjoy these blessings, we need to be in communion with God, so that we do not give place to the devil in our lives. We can be certain that, like the Lord, we will win the battles against the forces of darkness (Luke 10:19).

If we look at the ministry of Jesus, we will learn to respond correctly to those who suffer and ask us for help. If we are afflicted by any evil, we will also find what we need to defeat the enemy. Our response should be the same as Jesus' when tempted by the devil to disobey God. Nothing better than seeking divine guidance, believing in it, and putting it into practice!

In this lesson, we are studying the response given by the Savior to the devil. He suggested that Christ turn stone into bread, as he wanted Him to prove He was the Son of God. The question posed to the Master was the beginning of a discussion, because, as the Son of the Most High, He could not be here on Earth. However, the adversary was left without an answer.

Later, Jesus explained why the devil is a thief and a robber, as the Gospel of John declares: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10.1). The door mentioned in the verse is birth. Therefore, the tempter could not inhabit our world, but Jesus could.

The evil one could never have been born as Christ was born. Jesus reduced Himself to the seed planted in Mary's womb, and she had a normal pregnancy (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7). The Earth was the Lord's home, not the devil's, since he entered the world though Adam's sin. When Christ returns to gather His Church and put an end to everything on Earth, the evil one and the demons will go to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

By not speaking about His own birth, Jesus left the adversary intrigued, because he wanted to confirm if Christ was God Himself. However, if He had said that, Christ would have failed to provide the complete truth, for although divine, He came as a natural man, yet without sin (Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:18; 4:15). The Master quoted what was written about commanding the stone to become bread, taking away the enemy's chance to complicate things. With this answer, the devil was troubled (Deuteronomy 8:3). Great is the Lord!

When mentioning that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God, Jesus did everything He needed to do, without lying or falling into the devil's conversation. On other occasions, the enemy tried to confuse Him, but there are always holy answers in the Scriptures. Christ did not need to forge any excuse. Therefore, declare the Word, and everything will be resolved!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares