When Satan tempted Jesus, telling Him to prove He was the Son of God by telling a stone to become bread after He had fasted, Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Mathew 4:4 ESV).
Jesus turned away Satan’s temptation by putting Scripture into action.
The Old Testament verse Jesus referenced was Deuteronomy 8:3, which says, “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (ESV).
The man of valor understands that if He lets it, the Word of God guides him away from temptation that a foolish man would embrace.
Overcoming Temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”(ESV).
Easy? Not at all. Similar to the truth that we all have been given the Holy Spirit at the new birth, but we don’t all embrace it or allow it to control us―the Word of God is right in front of us. But we have to read it, know it, apply it. It’s a choice. The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor! Cry out to Him for help in times of temptation! Let Him have control―and see how you might find the way of escape from temptations like Jesus did. Here are a couple examples:
When your culture tells you it is okay to have sex with a woman you are not married to, what do you do? Go to the Bible.
Hebrew 13:4: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (ESV). This means you only have sex with your wife―no one before marriage and no one outside of marriage. Memorize this, men, and let it rule your heart and mind!
When your culture tells you it is okay to get drunk, what do you do? Go to the Bible.
Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (ESV). Ephesians 5:18: “Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life” (CEV). Makes sense, doesn’t it?
When your culture tells you it is okay to be lazy, what do you do? Go to the Bible.
Colossians3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive His inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (ESV). When you are given a task to complete, or when you have a job, do it to serve the Lord. The Lord is with you, and in His strength, do the best you can because you know that Jesus is watching you and helping you. Sometimes it is hard to get work, or you might have a job and get laid off. Look for a new one! And while waiting, do something that is productive: pray, help others, read the Bible.
When your culture tells you it is okay to abuse women in any way, what do you do? Go to the Bible.
Colossians 3:19: “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them” (ESV). Jesus showed his love and care for women and set an example to treat them with love and respect―not scorn or disrespect—and without any physical or emotional harm.
When your culture tells you it is okay that you fight or hate someone because they have hurt or insulted you or your family, what do you do? Go to the Bible.
Matthew 5:38-39: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (ESV). If someone mistreats you, but in return you treat them with love and respect, God is glorified and you help the person realize how great and loving our God is.
A man of valor goes to the Bible. A man of valor makes decisions in light of God’s eternal truth. And guess what—He is blessed! (See Deuteronomy 28:1-14.)
