It Is Written

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It is Written

So I have to admit, it is hard at times to live a Christian life.  I often feel like Paul. The things I want to do I don’t do and the things I don’t want to do I find myself doing.  At times I become very frustrated with myself.  The worst part of the whole thing is I seem to fall for the same temptations over and over.  Temptation comes to all of us. It comes in many different forms, but to each it will come.  

So what are we to do?  We must respond to temptations as Jesus did.

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ””

Matthew 4:4 NIV

Each time He was tempted He quoted scripture. And so in the same way we must not try to take on our temptation empty handed. Unfortunately, for many of us we have no weapons to use. You see if you have not memorized God’s word you are pretty helpless when attacked.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Psalms 119:11 NIV

God’s word is the only weapon we have and if you don’t know it you are walking around unarmed. Think of it this way. If a soldier was getting ready for the enemy to attack and right before the attack we saw the soldier leaving with out his gun we would stop him. Would we not ask, what are you doing? The enemy is out there and will attack at any moment take your gun. In the same way if we have not memorized God’s Word we are just like that soldier. We are about to be attacked and have no weapons. If you have not spent time, to not just read but memorize (hid in your heart) the Bible you are an unarmed soldier. In such case do not be surprised that when the temptation comes you fail. You fail because you have no weapons. If we are to be like Jesus, then we must use God’s word when temptation comes. Time spent learning the Bible is time invested in eternity. If you want to have any chance of withstanding the attacks that come at you then you must spend regular time memorizing God’s Word.