![Jesus_Bread_06.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYkcuGxRBsQCwqV2oJtjwLVTJcXU5GteaJ5Yk2h2DZXcZ/Jesus_Bread_06.jpg)
In the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil from Matthew 4, some inspiring truths are revealed. The devil tries to get Jesus to turn some stones into bread in order to break his 40-day fast early. What I always missed every prior time reading this passage (from Matthew 4:1-4), is that the devil had knowledge about the power of Jesus, yet the devil did not use this knowledge for good. He used this knowledge for evil. He used it to waste time and try to manipulate things.

How does that relate to us today? Think about all that you know about Jesus. If you are taking the time to read something about Jesus, in all likelihood, you already know some inspiring things about him. Perhaps you know that he is the Son of God, that he is God in the flesh, that he died for our sins, that he rose from the dead, and that he is coming back to claim those who love and obey him.

These truths contain a whopping amount of powerful knowledge. The irony here is that the devil knows all those things too. Reflecting back on our own lives, the following questions will help us learn more from the temptation of Jesus:

- What are we doing with that knowledge of Jesus?
- Are we using our knowledge of Jesus to advance his kingdom? Or are we creating time-wasting religious scenarios like the devil?
- Are other people growing because of our knowledge and example in Christ?
- Are we using what we already know about Jesus to get closer to him? Or are we, like the devil, putting up more stumbling blocks in our relationship with God?

By now, I am sure we all get the point. Let's use what we know of the Lord Jesus Christ to imitate his ways, not manipulate religion for our own personal agenda. When we see the humility and perseverance of Jesus in the desert being tempted, remember the heart behind it: that we must "not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
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*Photo above is a piece of bread in which I drew Jesus on it using cinnamon and oil.*</center>