Always The Right Answer...

I have never been a super student. Especially not in math. I remember taking a math quiz in the 7th grade like it was yesterday. Pre-Algebra was almost the death of me. But, this specific quiz was handed out, and I felt like I was looking at a different language. It was like my teacher said, "Let me blow your mind!" I didn't even know where to start. The only space for an answer that I could fill was one that said "Name:_________".

Sometimes we feel this way in our Christian walk. We are faced with a problem, or a temptation, and we have no idea how to answer. The answers are almost always more complex than saying yes or no. Each question has larger implications than that. There is a grade to come. Maybe the grade is the approval of our friends. No one wants to be a loser. Maybe the grade is financial status. Nobody wants to be broke or have to give up going out to dinner every night of the week. Maybe the grade is the fulfillment of a pleasure, dream, or addiction. We all have things we want.

But, Jesus showed us how to get an A. In Matthew 3 and 4, we read about Jesus being tempted. Jesus was in a situation and He had to make a choice. He had to bubble in an answer. It was test time. Satan threw out all kind of temptation. He tempted Him with power, and false fulfillment. But, how would Jesus answer?

a. WITH SCRIPTURE!

With every question and temptation, Jesus answered back with some truth from the BIBLE. Jesus would take the Word, and say, "Here Satan, put that in your oven and cook it!"

This is an awesome example for us. If we want to answer the questions of life correctly and pass the only test that matters, we need to be rooted in the bible. We need to be able to answer our sin with biblical truth. When we do this, we find a way out of the situation and ace the test. When we have questions of doubt, we are to look back at scripture and know that God will provide.

3 Disciplines to Help You Answer With Scripture:

Read Scripture:
How will we answer sin with scripture if we don't even look at the word? Make a point to read your bible daily. Start with a 5 minute devotion. Get alone with Jesus. Pray and read. The gospel of John and the Book of Romans are good places to start.

Remember Scripture:
OOOOOH, this one is scary. Actually memorize scripture? Yes. You're not always going to have your bible with you. You're not always going to be surrounded with "Super Christians". You may last a little while walking with Jesus and not having some scripture memorized, but not for long. He gives us His word for a reason. Have the words of it written on your heart. We are in a spiritual war. Be ready to fight.

Really Believe Scripture:
If you don't REALLY believe the bible then you're wasting your time. Don't just read it. Read it and know that it is the inspired word of God, and He cannot lie. And, don't read it like some story book. Read it like a passionate love letter. Read it like He really means what He is saying. Take God's word seriously. Not like Goldy Locks and the three little pigs, or whatever. Also, if you REALLY believe it, you will begin to live it. If you believe your pants are on fire, then you will act like your pants on fire. If you believe God's word is true, you will see it's truth becoming true in the things that you do.



Here are a few Scriptures that help me answer temptation and doubt:

• Galatians 2:20
• John 3:30
• John 3:16-17
• Romans 1:8
• Romans 3:23
• Romans 6:23
• James 1:21

All About Jesus.