That statement has validity, for we see many who have matured in life while others have not. The same condition exists in the spiritual life. The command to advance spiritually is not easily accomplished, yet the Scriptures tell us --
… “grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”(2 Peter 3:18)
Spiritual growth, like physical growth requires proper nourishment and exercise to strengthen the individual. Our Lord during his ministry on earth was tempted to act independently of the Heavenly Father. In fact, we read in two of the gospels that this testing was directly from Satan. In the fourth chapters of Matthew and Luke we have the record of the temptations faced by the humanity of Christ. It is not surprising that the Adversary came right after Christ had experienced forty days and nights of fasting and prayer as He communed with the Heavenly Father. It would seem that after such a spiritual experience, one would be free from facing temptation, but that is just when Satan often launches his attacks. The record of this encounter is a marvelous example for us in the spiritual warfare. We too, if we are walking by faith, will face difficulties in the area of trusting God’s provision, fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives, and persevering in God’s Plan for our lives. Testing, difficulties and trials come in life, but these must be faced in the filling of the Spirit. Dr. Luke records for us --
… “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness.”(Luke 4:1)
The leading and guiding ministry of the Holy Spirit is a privileged possession of the believer in Christ as we walk by faith with the Lord. Satan tempted Christ concerning God’s provision. The issue was -- in whom do you put your trust for your daily needs? Christ set the example in refusing to use His own Divine power to satisfy His human needs. Instead, He chose to depend on the Father, as we are to do, for His provision. Truth learned had to be exercised and Jesus rebuffed Satan with the Word of God --
… “But he (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”(Matt 4:4)
The promise still stands written for us --
… “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:19)
The Adversary then turned to questioning God’s purpose for Christ coming to earth. Knowing that the Cross would seal his doom, Satan offered the Crown of dominion over the earth; a crown he had “stolen” from Adam in the Garden. However, Christ was clear in His purpose, for He had been sent by the Father --
… “to seek and to save that which was lost.”(Luke 19:10)
Jesus replied quoting the Word of God --
… “it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only”(Luke 4:8)
The third and final temptation dealt with God’s Plan for the humanity of Christ. Satan rebuffed in His previous two attempts resorted to quoting Psalm 91:11 but purposely left off four very important words of Scripture … “in all your ways.” God’s Plan required obedience to the Father’s Plan; Satan urged Christ to “do His own thing.” Again our Lord used the Scriptures to resist the temptation --
... “And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”(Luke 4:12)
Learning the Word, using the Word and being led of the Spirit were His effective tools for resisting the Adversary. These are our spiritual weapons by which --
… “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”(Rom 8:37)
He had overcome most giants common to me and you.
He was oriented to Authority in all areas of life,
And had dealt with his family, a great source of strife.
The hours spent alone with his sheep
Had been filled learning Doctrine, his treasure to keep.
When the time came to go and use what had been learned,
He stepped out in courage, from his path never turned.
He was prepared to succeed with the weapons of his soul
Not allowing past failures to distract from his goal.
He had more ammunition than he would need,
The Victory was God’s, He had accomplished the deed.
Because David was faithful with stone and sling,
God promoted him from shepherd to King.
Jesus Christ is the Rock on which success stands,
He provides all we need to meet His demands.
Each task assigned has already been done,
Yet GOD rewards US as we reflect THE SON.