Anchored In/By the Word

Daily Scripture Threshing for Today, Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Today's Text: Matthew 4:1-11

Key Verse: Matthew 4:4 (KJV): "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

In an era where opinions shift daily, only the Word stands firm. It transforms our minds, strengthens our convictions, and keeps us steadfast. To fight the good fight, we must not only read the Word but allow it to anchor our lives. The Word of God is the believer’s sword in battle. Our Lord set example of this when He defeated Satan during His wilderness temptations. There is no doubt that if the Son of God, Himself, needed the Word as a weapon, how much more do we? Today’s passage opens the scene of a barren wilderness before us with Jesus, having being led by the Holy Spirit, after His baptism, being tempted by the devil. The scene covered a plot of forty days of fasting. Jesus faced physical hunger, isolation, and the direct assaults of Satan himself. Yet, at every turn, He responds not with human arguments but with the eternal, unchanging authority of the Scriptures.

Each temptation was a battleground and the Word of God stands as Jesus’s unwavering defense and triumph. He showed us that hunger is never an excuse because “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." These words spoken by Jesus, remind us that spiritual sustenance by God's Word is essential even as physical nourishment. Just as bread feeds the body, the Word feeds the soul. By this truth, Jesus sets a model for every believer: true life and resilience come from continual dependence on God’s voice, His promises, and His revealed will.

We must seek to prioritize spiritual over material needs, especially in moments of hunger, struggle, and trial. We must fix our hopes on unfailing truth rather than the shifting satisfaction of earthly things. The Word of God is not just our inspiration—it is the sword every believer wields in spiritual warfare. When Jesus confronted Satan, He did not reason or debate; He quoted Scripture with power and clarity. This demonstrates the living, and active nature of God’s Word, sharper than any physical sword (see Hebrews 4:12). If the perfect Son of God leaned on Scripture to resist temptation and defeat evil, how much more are we called to anchor our lives in the Word?

To depend on our own strength in spiritual battles is to risk defeat, but when we employ biblical truth, we are assured victory and protection. Through the Word, our minds are renewed, our hearts are convicted, and our spirits are empowered everyday and moment for victory. In a world saturated by shifting opinions, cultural trends, and half-truths, the Word of God stands as the immovable foundation for every believer. Human philosophies waver with the times, but the Scriptures remain constant, relevant, and life-giving. God's Word anchors and transforms our perspective—turning fear into faith, uncertainty into conviction, and weariness into resolve.

Action Steps: Set aside a specific daily time for reading and reflecting on God’s Word, no matter how brief or busy the day may seem. This discipline cultivates spiritual attentiveness and invites God’s wisdom into every aspect of life. Commit to memorize key Scriptures so they are stored in your heart, ready to recall in moments of temptation, discouragement, or decision. Share God's Word with someone this week—whether through a conversation, a text, or a card. The Word multiplies its impact as it is sown into the hearts of others, bringing light, comfort, and hope beyond oneself.

Quote for the Day: “A Christian without the Word is like a soldier without a weapon—S/he is defenseless in the fight.” (Simon Olatunji #quotablequote)

Let Us Pray: Father, thank You for Your living and powerful Word, which anchors my soul and guards my life. Anchor my heart in it daily and let it be my strength and defense. Help me to wield Scripture with wisdom and boldness in every battle. Help me to approach it daily with hunger and humility. Let it shape my desires, strengthen my resolve, and guide my decisions. May I wield Scripture with wisdom and courage, finding in it my sure defense against every attack—in the most precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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Thank you for being part of this journey to deeper faith. For additional readings on the themes of steadfast faith, hope, and the endurance gained through prayer read: Hebrews 4:12, Joshua 1:8, John 17:17.

With all my love and prayers,

Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.

Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)

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