Fast 40: Practicing the Ancient Spiritual Discipline of LentSample

I said the previous day that the answers to life are found in the Word of God, but, interestingly, the Devil knows the written Word of God. As we see, the Devil actually quotes from Sacred Scripture in order to tempt Jesus!

Without getting into too much detail, Peter explains the nature of heresy when he states that Scripture itself can be “twisted” by “ignorant and unstable men” (2 Peter 3:16). That’s why we need the authority of the Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Creeds to help us properly understand God’s Word.

So although the Devil can quote from Scripture, he (like every heretic) always misinterprets the quote. In the wilderness, he tempted Jesus to presume upon God’s will—to assume God would save Him regardless of how He acted, even if He committed suicide.

But notice again: Jesus defeated the temptation with the truth of the Word of God. Jesus humbly accepted what God’s Word said.

The truth is that humility opens our eyes to reality, whereas pride blinds and deceives us. Pride distorts what it sees and contorts what it touches. But as Jesus humbled Himself and acknowledged the truth, He defeated the Devil’s lie.