I recall an incident when our Son, Lee, was two or three years old. We were shopping with his Grandmother and she pointed out a toy Volkswagen, asking him, “Can you say Volkswagen?”

In a matter of fact way, he answered that his mouth wasn’t big enough.

Words do not have to be long or difficult to pronounce to be powerful, “if” you get my drift.

The tempter tried to manipulate Jesus with ifology.’

“Then the tempter approached Him and said, ‘If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread (Matthew 4:3 HCSB).”

When that failed he tried to convince Jesus to jump from a temple high place.

“If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

He will give His angels orders concerning you,
and they will support you with their hands
so that you will not strike
your foot against a stone (Matthew 4:6b HCSB).”

You must admit it; the devil is persistent.

Showing Jesus a worldly kingdom, he tempted Him again.

“And he said to Him, ‘I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me (Matthew 4:9 HCSB).”

The master of deception fell in defeat when he challenged the Master.

 Jesus reigns triumphant! He is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Go away, Satan! For it is written:

Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only Him.

Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him (Matthew 4:10-11 HCSB).”