Do Not Put the Lord Your God to the Test

“For it is also written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” – Matthew 4:7 (NABRE)

In today's Gospel reading, we see Jesus being tempted in the desert. Cunningly and with utter confidence, the devil has the audacity to tempt the Creator of the universe; just as he did with Adam and Eve in Genesis. He employs the same strategy, but Jesus was not having any of it.

We see the devil telling Jesus to turn stones into bread, knowing He had spent forty days and nights without food and might be hungry. Then he urges Jesus to bow down and worship him, promising to give Him the entire world in return. Just imagine: a mere creature tempting the Maker of what he claims he will give out.

Our major focus today, however, is where he takes Jesus to a high mountain and urges Him to jump down. He even quotes Scripture, an extract from Psalm 91 claiming, “He will command his angels concerning you… lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11–12 NABRE). The devil knows the Scriptures better than we do, and he uses them as a weapon against us, especially if we're not vigilant enough.

Jesus warns that many will come healing people in His name and even casting out unclean spirits, yet He says they will be wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15 NABRE). This is quite evident nowadays: so many self-proclaimed “prophets” claim to be godly people. It might be true for some, but others are agents of evil. We need to be very cautious.

A certain thought abruptly crossed my mind as I reflected on this. Consider a situation you find yourself in: while fighting alcohol or drug addiction, your friends invite you out for an outing. You know very well they'll serve alcohol and other drugs they normally use. But you hear an interior small voice telling you, “Don't worry, you got this. You'll go, sit among them, and buy water or juice instead, you won't take alcohol.” This might seem encouraging, and deep down you feel like you've got it, but you have no idea what you're falling into. It's like you're pushing God to the limits, testing Him.

Believe me, the devil is smarter than you think. You might try to play it safe, but as time goes on, you might not even know how you give in so easily. You put yourself in that situation and end up blaming God.

Remember King David: he was standing on the balcony of his palace and saw Bathsheba bathing. He got the urge to sleep with her. Perhaps deep inside, he thought he was strong enough and that he'd resist it, a dangerous game to play. He found himself committing a string of atrocities arising from one act that was quite avoidable. We often find ourselves in such situations most of the time and end up messing up.

The devil even has the tendency of weighing up sins. He makes us think that certain sins are too small and don't require penance. He whispers, “Abusing isn't bad,” “Stealing a small amount of money is fine, God won't get mad at you; after all, you're hungry.” At times he even tells us that God understands our situation. In some moments he assures us that we will repent the sins afterward: “You confessed last week; do you want to go again this week? You think God doesn't know that you're weak? No need to bother Him now He understands.” He continues. “Watch this video (pornography); it's not worse than adultery.” Not knowing that it can lead you into masturbation or even fornication when the urge increases. He's so cunning that he puts us in situations where we tend to test our God.

Then uncoordinated thoughts creep in: we start imagining, “God, You know I didn't want to do this or that, but I know You love me and You'll forgive me even if I don't go for confession.” He makes the sins seem so harmless and normal in our lives that it feels free to commit them. We start blaming the devil after falling into sin—yes, he suggests the sin before us, but it is entirely our will to do it. That's why we need the mercy and grace of God to have a firm will and be able to make the right choices.

Lord Jesus, in moments of temptation, help us to recognize the devil's cunning and never put You to the test. Strengthen our will, guard our hearts, and teach us to rely on Your Word alone. May we always choose obedience over presumption, and trust in Your mercy rather than our own strength. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen.