Seeking Jesus First June 27, 2025
61 times in the New Testament, we read the phrase, “It is written”.
Christ Jesus used the same phrase three times in Matthew 4 when being confronted by the devil in the wilderness.
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” (Matthew 4:1–11, NKJV)
Jesus Christ is the High Priest of our confession. I want to make the statement that, perhaps, we must use this phrase much more often when dealing with ourselves and others. However, when dealing with temptation, or demonic confrontations, we must most definitely follow the example that Jesus laid out for us.
Jesus fasted and prayed. Jesus spent time alone with God. Jesus had the most unique and wonderful relationship with God that ever existed. And, when Jesus dealt with the devil, Jesus used The Scripture.
Want to win more? Start saying, “it is written”, and then use the Sword of the Spirit which is The Word of God.