Not on bread alone, BUT… – Part 1

People all over the world place emphasis on their standard of living, and how to create a comfortable lifestyle for themselves and their families; and there is nothing wrong with that, but the way we live or try to live our lives might need to come under some scrutiny. You might be saying, at least the end justifies the means. Hmmnn, it does not. As is our custom, let us see what the Bible has to say, “Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights, He became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 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.” Read Matthew 4:4 (AMP). 

This is a very important statement made by Jesus Christ in the midst of what we can agree was a very pivotal moment in His life and ministry. We understand bread is important to sustain our physical bodies, and I believe Jesus was making the point that our existence should not only be based on what will sustain the physical body, instead we should be paying more attention to every truth which comes from the mouth of God that will sustain our entire lives. Recall the Bible says, “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” Read Matthew 6:33 (AMP). Again the emphasis here, we should earnestly and as a priority let our lives be sustained by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.

Well, you might be saying, it is easier said than done, Jesus was emphatic with His counsel not only to the tempter, but also to you and I reading His text. Watch this, living by bread alone can be hard work and toil, but when you hang on to every word from the mouth of God, then success becomes sweatless victory. Listen to what Jesus said when asked how they could be given the bread He was making reference to; Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually].” Read John 6:35 (AMP). Here we see Jesus saying I am your supply and your provider hence the scripture says, “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” Read 2 Peter 1:3 (NASB).

I believe Jesus has been trying to tell us in no uncertain terms that we were never designed to be self sufficient; He wants to be our sufficiency, hence the scripture says, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” Read 2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV), in other words we have ‘no special powers to be able to sustain ourselves.

Here is a question for you to consider whilst you look out for part 2, whose mouth are you drawing your words from? Whose words weigh more in your life and home?

We write. You read. Be encouraged.