After 40 days of fasting, the devil came to tempt Jesus. At each temptation, Jesus had a powerful response, so much that the enemy had to retreat. Wouldn’t you like to always have the perfect answer to the enemy too?
It was not only because He was the Son of God, that Jesus always had the right answer. Like all the young Israelists of his time, Jesus was immersed in the Holy Scriptures. It was customary for all little boys between the ages of 6 and 10 to learn not only a few verses here and there on Sunday, but to memorize all of the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) by heart! This corresponds to almost 3 verses “a day”!
Today, we are blessed to have access to all kinds of articles, devotionals, Bible studies, and all the audio and video lessons we can download. Although this is all very good, we must not neglect reading the Word of God for ourselves and the help of the Holy Spirit. After all, God is the author, He can explain what He meant! When we study the Bible and we stop on a verse to bring out all the riches, it goes deep into our minds. Most of the time, if we let this verse transform us, we will get to know it by heart.
Jesus told his disciples not to worry when they have to answer questions about their faith. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26 NKJV) He did not say that the Holy Spirit will recite verses that you have never read! For Him to “bring to your remembrance”, it means that these verses must already be in your head! You will never know when you will need the power of the Word of God to support you, so it is necessary to study it constantly to prepare yourself to respond when the time comes.
Respond to what or who?
To those who do not know God, and who do not understand your position on certain subjects. If your co-workers ask you why you don’t drink alcohol, what are you going to answer them? “Because I was told not to do it!” is not a very convincing argument. But if you tell them the verse that convinced you to take this position, they will have less to argue about. Or, perhaps, they will manifest their need for a Savior. In which case, which verses are you going to use? Prepare yourselves!
To those who are religious and who seek to defect you, like the Pharisees with Jesus. “But sanctify the Lord God[a] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3.15 NKJV) We are not talking about arguing with other believers, but if we hear a word that does not match with what the Bible says, it is important to be able to discern it and reject it.
To temptation, as Jesus did in the desert. You may be single at the moment, but if you want to get married, you may meet a special person soon. When the temptation of the flesh comes, what are you going to do? Which verse convinces you to maintain your position. Be wise and think about the possible temptations that you will face and prepare your defense even before being in the situation in question.
Problems and difficulties, as Jesus did when a storm threatened his life and that of his disciples. It is not when we receive an unexpected bill that we have to start looking for financial promises. Otherwise, we will look for this promise in a panic! If we want to keep peace during our trials, a peace as great as that of Jesus in the storm, we must already have these promises; we must be ready. You can even look for promises about the unity of a couple and the salvation of your children before being married!
With good preparation and a daily study of the Bible, you will be like Jesus in front of trials, temptations or difficult questions. You will know what to say and you will stay in peace. It’s a good plan, right?