SOAP: Matthew 4:1-11

SOAP is one of the primary ways to dive deep into scripture and get the most out of our time with the Word. If you don’t know what the SOAP method is, it stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer:

Scripture: Physically write out the Bible verse. When writing it down, you are most likely to memorize it and you’re opening up the chance for more to be revealed to through the written words.

Observation: What do you see in the verses you’re reading? Who is speaking? Do you see a theme or something that stands out to you?

Application: How can I apply this to my real life? This is where God’s Word becomes tangible through YOU. What is God saying to you? How can you become more like Him? Are there any changes you could make?

Prayer: Has God revealed something to you during this time that you need to confess OR thank Him for? Do not skip this step! There is power in prayer and this is a great way to complete your reading time.

In today's post, we are going to share Matthew 4:1-11 and what stood out to us and how we plan to apply and pray.

SCRIPTURE:

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." - Matthew 4:1-11

OBSERVATION:

• This takes place right after Jesus’s baptism and God saying “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matt 3:17)

• Jesus was led to the wildness by the Spirit. There was intention and purpose for his being there, and v1 says it was to be tested. The testing was not immediate however.

• It was only after 40 days of fasting and knowing that Jesus was hungry that the tempter (Satan) came to Jesus.

• The premise of Satan’s attack is not around Jesus’s hunger; its around God’s word and Jesus’s identity in God. Satan’s use of the physical circumstance is merely a tool to attack a deeper issue. God just declared that Jesus is his Son. Satan is trying to cause Jesus to question or doubt God’s word in a vulnerable situation

• Jesus’s response: God’s word. Jesus quotes Deut 8:3.

• Satan tries a second time to cause doubt about God’s word with Jesus but again Jesus responds with God’s word.

• The last temptation of Satan is to offer Jesus something in an attempt to have Jesus turn his back to God. Again, Jesus responds with God’s word.

APPLICATION:

• Every temptation that Jesus was confronted with he responded with God’s word. Jesus was physically malnourished, but spiritually he was full of the word of life.

• God’s word sustained Jesus both spiritually but also physically. God’s word is life. It was with a word that God created all things. The physical food that I eat was created first by God’s word.

• In any and every situation I need to fill up with God’s word, so that even if I may not have a physical meal, I still have the bread of life. In every moment and temptation where I feel weak and vulnerable, I need to respond with God’s word.

• Do I know and understand God’s word well enough to do this? If not, I need to begin to know and understand it like this.

• I need to be in God’s word daily, learning it, and preferably, committing it to memory.

PRAYER:

Lord please give me a hunger for your word. In moments of weakness or trial, let it sustain me and strengthen me. When I meet others who are hungry, give me the courage to share with them more than a meal; let me share with them your words. Amen

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If you have more questions, whether about this passage or Jesus, OR if you feel you are ready to take the leap and receive salvation through faith, then reach out to us at info@truenorthpgh.org We believe that every person will experience tremendous life change once they feel and experience the amazing love of Christ.

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