SOUNDING OUT:
An “It Is Written” Lifestyle

  After Jesus Christ was baptized by John in the Jordan, he went into the wilderness to prepare himself for his ministry. The first recorded words of Jesus Christ after he began his ministry are recorded in Matthew 4.

  Here we see Jesus confronted by the tempter. Jesus’ first recorded words after the baptism of John were, "It is written!" What was written? The revealed Word and will of God was written. This particular word of God that Jesus spoke in Matthew 4:4 was written many years before by Moses and recorded in the Book of Deuteronomy. Moses wrote it by revelation from God. But the Word that was written so many, many years before was just as true and as powerful on the lips of Jesus Christ as it had been on the lips of Moses.

  The Greek language has very precise verb tenses. The phrase "It is Written" is in the perfect tense. In the indicative mood like this is, the perfect tense is used to communicate action in the past with its effect or completion in the present. The writing of Deuteronomy 8:3 wasn't just completed. It had been finished and recorded many years ago. Jesus’ use of the perfect tense here demonstrated his recognition of the power and impact of this wonderful word of God in the present.

  He remembered this wonderful word of God was written so many years ago and spoke it to bring its impact into the present situation in which he was involved. He didn't say, “It was written!” He said, “It is written!” Yes it was written many years ago by Moses, but it was still written and it was still God's Word and will at the moment in which Jesus spoke it. He called upon the Word of God and brought its power and impact into the situation with which he was presently confronted. He knew the power of the Word and expected it to back down the adversary as he spoke it.

  It is important to control what comes out of our mouths. Here we see Jesus controlling the situation and being more than a conqueror in it as he spoke this word of the Lord recorded in Deuteronomy 8:3. He expected that Word to produce the desired effect in his life and it did.

  What do we expect when we claim God's promises? We should expect the same results from speaking God's Word as Jesus did when he spoke it. After all it is still written is it not?

  The word "word" here is the Greek word rhêma. It refers to that which has been uttered; it's a declaration. It refers to specific utterances and declarations of God. Jesus said that one doesn't live by bread alone, but by every word, rhêma, that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Every verse, every declaration, every utterance out of the mouth of God has power. That’s what the angel told Mary when he spoke to her concerning the birth of the promised seed. After Mary heard the angel’s declaration she asked, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” The angel’s response was:

  “Nothing” is in the Greek, ouk pan rhêma, meaning not anything spoken. “Impossible” is in the Greek, adunatêsei, without power or void of power. There is no word of God void of power. In this specific context the angel was referring to the word he just spoke to Mary that included the declaration that, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” He wanted to assure Mary that God’s spoken word had the power to do what it said it would.

  That’s exactly what the Lord told Isaiah.