Our eyes often play tricks on us. One day, when my daughter was younger, she was looking through a bag of candy and burst out in elation when she pulled out a "Health" bar. That's right, a "Health" bar. She was so excited that candy could be healthy that she was ready to consume it in an instant. Of course, the truth was that it was really a HeathTM bar, a chocolate-covered toffee treat. Although I'm sure the makers of the candy would love for consumers to believe the treat was in fact, healthy, the truth was just the opposite.
In Matthew 4, we see Jesus handle this type of deception. After forty days of fasting and solitude in the wilderness, Satan arrives to tempt Him with three very basic desires: food, material possessions, and power.
Satan is described throughout Scripture as the Deceiver, that crafty old serpent, and the Father of Lies who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. What is our best weapon to fight against him? It is the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness…" The catch is that we must know it to be able to use it.
Today, when the opportunity to believe a twisted truth presents itself, look again. It may not really be as "healthy" as it looks.
Temptation is all around us. When you are tempted, how often do you use the Word of God as your defense?
Originally published September 06, 2012.