SEPARATING THE SPIRITUAL FROM THE PHYSICAL
THE HIDDEN MEANING
INTRODUCTION
In these next scriptures, we at VAL-TE’ believe represents a challenging, lonely, and testing time of isolation and hardship, where one’s reliance shifts from self to a higher power. Then Immanuel was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward he was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Immanuel said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Immanuel said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4: 1-11 NKJV
Biblical Word
THE WILDERNESS – Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. Deuteronomy 8: 1-5 NIV
Reference
1 Peter 1: 6-9 – Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Immanuel is revealed. You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him. GNT
Significance
Time Of Testing (Painful Experiences) – We at VAL-TE’ also believe are not meant to destroy people but to remove a behavioral characteristic that negatively affects relationships, communication, or decision-making and build a more responsible, empathetic, and respectful person. Reminding us that when we stick with our beliefs, God is in control and always there for us, giving us strength and purpose to get through tough times, and promising a bright future for those who remain loyal and true to Him. No matter what happens in life, it’s God who ultimately guides everything, and His plans for His people are always good and perfectly carried out, even when it’s hard to see. Staying true to God and His path is important. It’s about trusting that He is working everything for our good and sticking with Him, even when things get difficult. It’s a message of confidence in God’s goodness and power, encouraging people to live faithfully with the assurance of His unending presence and a future filled with His promises.
