WHEN YOU REACH THE PINNACLE
Matthew 4:5 “Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 “and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”
WHAT DOES IT SAY?
Notice, in verse 1, “The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness”. Then in verse 3, the devil came to Jesus. Now, in verse 5, the devil takes Jesus into the holy. This is becoming personal.
The devil challenges Jesus with “If You are the Son of God” prove it to me and jump! The devil accurately recites the Word of God to Jesus, but carefully and craftily twists the intention of God’s Word to fit the contrived circumstances.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
The Temple was in the Holy City which is Jerusalem and was 60 cubits or approximately 90 feet high. Jumping from that height would mean certain death for anyone. As in his first test, the devil is calling Jesus to misuse His authority and to question His position as the Son of God.
Now, the devil is demanding that Jesus obey him and prove His Authority and His Ability as the Son of God.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?
If God allowed Jesus to be tested in this way, you can expect the same in your life. Remembering that Jesus set the example and passed the test so we would know how to successfully follow Him through fiery trials!
When you find yourself vulnerable through circumstances or attitude, the devil will find his opportunity to test you, too.
It may well be, that you will ‘hear the Word of God’ whispered to you, offering a way out of your present circumstances. You might hear what seems like a solution lines up with the Word of God, the Bible.
In desperation and hopelessness, You may think, “All is lost. What’s the point of going on?! I think I will just jump! ”
Or, you might be thinking, “I can take this risk. I will just “step out in faith!”
DON’T DO IT! What you might be hearing or thinking requires that you:
1. Search the Bible. Holy Scriptures are never contradictory and will confirm themselves. If what you are ‘hearing’ and thinking is not clearly found in several places in the Bible, it is not from God! REPEAT: If what you are ‘hearing’ and thinking is not clearly found in several places in the Bible, it is not from God!
2. Seek the Wisdom from a multitude of counselors. Go to several trusted believers who have proven their trustworthiness in spiritual matters.
3. Discernment is from the Holy Spirit. Pray, listen and wait. If your emotions continue to be in turmoil – either high or low – wait for the peace of God to rule in your heart before you act.
4. (a) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known and the Lord will be near.
(b) Be anxious for nothing, but in all your current circumstances by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
(c) When the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, begins to guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus, your emotions settle, then your answer will come.
Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”
Jesus’ response, again, is according to scriptures, and a rebuke to Satan and his lies.
It is true that, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” But it is not ours to put ourselves in danger to prove a point, to gain an advantage or to test God!
We are to rely solely on Him and His Word. Call out to God and say:
Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a level path Because of my foes.
12 Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
The Next Teaching in Matthew 4:8 All Of This Can Be Yours