It Is Written

Speak It – Part 8

Review: The Pattern of Speaking

We Must Speak What We Believe - 2 Corinthians 4:13 (AMP)

Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, "I believed, therefore I spoke." We also believe, therefore we also speak.

The World Was Created By A Spoken Word - Hebrews 11:3 (AMP)

By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

We Are Created In God's Image and Likeness - Genesis 1:26-30 (AMP)

Then God said, "Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness]; and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the cattle, and over the entire earth, and over everything that creeps and crawls on the earth."

Jesus Said We Can Do Greater - John 14:12 (AMP)

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father.

Jesus Said to Speak to the Mountain - Matthew 21:21 (AMP)

Jesus replied to them, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith [personal trust and confidence in Me] and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen [if God wills it]."

Elijah Spoke to Clouds - 1 Kings 17:1 (AMP)

Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."

Ezekiel Spoke to the Dry Bones and Wind - Ezekiel 37:4, 9 (AMP)

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.'" Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."'"

Joshua Spoke to the Sun and Moon - Joshua 10:12-13 (AMP)

Then Joshua spoke to the Lord on the day when the Lord handed over the Amorites to the sons of Israel, and Joshua said in the sight of Israel, "Sun, stand still at Gibeon, And moon, in the Valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation [of Israel] took vengeance upon their enemies.

Main Text: Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1 (AMP)

Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Now, if Jesus was tempted, what is the likelihood that you will be? Remember, testing precedes elevation. Not every challenging season is devil-induced. The devil tempts; God tests. A person has not shown true obedience without an opportunity to disobey.

The devil wants you to abort your mission and purpose by using a shortcut. Remember, temptation is not sin; sin is when you give into temptation. Temptation didn't come in the temple, but in isolation. Temptation comes when you are vulnerable—physically or emotionally stressed, lonely, tired, weighing big decisions, faced with uncertainty, or after a great victory.

Deuteronomy 8:2 (AMP)

And you shall remember [always] all the ways which the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart (mind), whether you would keep His commandments or not.

The Timing of Temptation

Matthew 4:2 (AMP)

After He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights, He became hungry.

The enemy's three areas of attraction: physical needs and desires, possessions, and power/pride.

First Temptation: Physical Needs

Matthew 4:3 (AMP)

And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

Notice he met Him on that level. You will also notice the attack comes after His identity. The devil knew Jesus had power to command things. Food, hunger, and eating are good, but the timing was wrong. Jesus was in the wilderness to fast, not to eat.

Matthew 4:4 (AMP)

But Jesus replied, "It is written and forever remains written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.'"

Jesus not only knew the Word, but He obeyed the Word. Note that Satan had memorized Scripture, but he failed to obey it. Knowing and obeying the Bible helps us follow God's desires rather than the devil's. Jesus repeated what was written in Deuteronomy 8:3.

Jesus was saying, "I have this power and could use it, but I will not; for this would imply impatience and distrust of God, who has engaged to sustain the life of His servants. I leave it with God to care for the sustaining of my life, and I will not arbitrarily and for selfish ends help myself by a miracle."

Second Temptation: Proving Your Identity

Matthew 4:5-6 (AMP)

Then the devil took Him into the holy city [Jerusalem] and placed Him on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple. And he said [mockingly] to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You [to serve, care for, protect and watch over You]'; and 'They will lift you up on their hands, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.'"

Notice the devil elevated Him to the highest part of the city, hoping it would go to His head. It was about 700 feet from here to the valley below. The devil used elevation to woo Jesus. Notice the devil attacks His identity again. You can recognize the attack of the devil when a person comes after your identity.

The devil uses Scripture to convince Jesus to sin. Sometimes friends and associates will present attractive and convincing reasons why you should try something you know is wrong. Jesus consistently responds with "It is written."

Matthew 4:7 (AMP)

Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written and forever remains written, 'You shall not test the Lord your God.'"

Jesus doesn't deny that it is written, but the context of the verse was wrong (Psalm 91:11-12).

Third Temptation: Power and Worship

Matthew 4:8-9 (AMP)

Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me."

Notice the devil elevates Him to world status. The devil was after Jesus' worship. What you worship determines your value system. The expression doesn't mean "worship me as God" but "acknowledge my rights as over-lord."

Matthew 4:10 (AMP)

Then Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'"

Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:13.

Matthew 4:11 (AMP)

Then the devil left Him; and angels came and ministered to Him [bringing Him food and serving Him].

Three Attacks Summarized

1. Use your miraculous power to supply ordinary and personal needs at my command
2. Prove your sonship by special demonstration of God's protection; be reckless and make a side show of your power
3. Use my power, influence, worldly organizations and kingdoms and become great among men by selling out to get power

When you're dealing with someone on the devil's level, make sure you have your Scriptures ready.

"It Is Written" - Your Battle Scriptures

#1 When People Don't Believe in You

1 Corinthians 2:9 (AMP)

but just as it is written [in Scripture], "Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed]."

• Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
• Ephesians 3:20 - Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all
• 1 John 4:4 - Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world

#2 When People Say, "You Think You're All That!"

• John 10:34 - Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods"'?"
• Romans 8:37 - We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us

#3 When You Don't Know How You're Going to Make It

Romans 1:17 (NKJV)

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

• Psalm 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want
• Philippians 4:19 - My God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory
• Psalm 37:25 - I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread

#4 When Fear Creeps In

• 2 Timothy 1:7 - God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind
• 1 John 4:18 - Perfect love casts out all fear

#5 When You Feel Like Getting Revenge on Someone

Romans 12:19 (NKJV)

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

#6 When You Feel Stressed Out

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

• Philippians 4:6-7 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God
• 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you
• Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

Discussion Questions

1. Jesus' response strategy: Jesus defeated every temptation by saying "It is written." How well do you know Scripture well enough to use it as a weapon against temptation? What specific verses do you need to memorize for the battles you're currently facing?
2. Recognizing the timing of temptation: The message outlines when temptation is most likely to strike—when you're vulnerable, tired, lonely, stressed, or after a victory. When are you most susceptible to temptation? How can you prepare spiritually for those moments before they arrive?
3. Identity attacks: Twice the devil said "If You are the Son of God..." attacking Jesus' identity. What aspects of your identity in Christ does the enemy most frequently attack? How do you combat lies about who you are with the truth of God's Word?
4. Knowing vs. obeying: The devil knew Scripture but didn't obey it. How does your life demonstrate that you're not just a hearer of the Word but a doer? Where is there a gap between what you know and what you actually do?
5. Your "It is written" arsenal: Looking at the six categories of battle scriptures provided (when people don't believe in you, when you're criticized, when finances are tight, when fear comes, when you want revenge, when you're stressed), which category do you need to strengthen most? What scriptures will you commit to memorizing and declaring this week?