MOTIV8 CHURCH — ESSENTIALS WEEK 1
THAT'S OUT OF
CONTEXT
CONTEXT
Matthew 4:1-11 New Living Translation Ps. Marcus St. Julien
The Question
How do I know when Scripture is being used on me versus for me?
Have you ever had a Bible verse handed to you that made you feel worse instead of better? What happened?
My Thoughts
Matthew 4:1-11 — NLT
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. 3During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." 4But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'" 7Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the Lord your God.'" 8Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9"I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will kneel down and worship me." 10"Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'" 11Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Notice that Satan quoted Scripture accurately — but used it incorrectly. What does that tell you about the difference between knowing the Bible and understanding it?
My Thoughts
Key Insight
Satan knows the Bible. Knowing the Bible is not the same as using it correctly.
Jesus responded to every temptation with Scripture — but always in context and for the right moment. What does that tell you about how He wants us to use His word?
My Thoughts
Three Practical Tests
How to know when Scripture is being used on you versus for you
Test 1
Does it require you to ignore what you're actually feeling?
Scripture used correctly will meet you in your reality. If a verse is being handed to you to make you stop feeling what you're feeling — that's a red flag.
Test 2
Does it serve the person saying it more than the person hearing it?
Scripture used correctly is other-directed. If the verse being quoted closes down a conversation, wins an argument, or avoids accountability — that's a red flag.
Test 3
Does it point you toward Jesus or away from Him?
Everything in the Bible is moving toward Jesus. If a verse moves you away from grace, away from relationship, away from the character of Jesus — it's being mishandled regardless of how accurately it was quoted.
Which of these three tests hits closest to home for you right now — either something done to you or something you may have done to someone else?
My Honest Answer
Context is the difference between a weapon and a truth.
Is there someone in your life who needs to hear an apology for a verse that was used on them instead of for them? What would you say?
My Thoughts
If you gave your life to Jesus today
We don't want you to walk out of here alone in that decision. First Steps is happening right after service — it's not a class, it's an experience designed specifically for you. Come find us and we'll walk through everything together.
My Takeaway What is God saying to you specifically today?
The one thing I'm leaving with that I didn't walk in with —
A verse that has been used on me that I now want to read in its full context —
One person I want to share what I learned today with —
MOTIV8 CHURCH
Essentials Week 1 — Sermon Notes — Matthew 4:1-11