Since

Then the Spirit led Jesus up into the wilderness so that the devil might tempt him. After Jesus had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he was starving. The tempter came to him and said, “Since you are God’s Son, command these stones to become bread.” Jesus replied, “It’s written, People won’t live only by bread, but by every word spoken by God.” After that the devil brought him into the holy city and stood him at the highest point of the temple. He said to him, “Since you are God’s Son, throw yourself down; for it is written, I will command my angels concerning you, and they will take you up in their hands so that you won’t hit your foot on a stone.” Jesus replied, “Again it’s written, Don’t test the Lord your God.” Then the devil brought him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said, “I’ll give you all these if you bow down and worship me.” Jesus responded, “Go away, Satan, because it’s written,You will worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” The devil left him, and angels came and took care of him. (Matthew 4:1-11, CEB)

I have always liked this passage because normally the statement from the Devil to Jesus is If you are…

But the CEB gets this right, I think. The Devil isn’t questioning Jesus’ identity. The Devil is trying to get Jesus to question Jesus’ identity.  Since you are the son of God…

What if Jesus does those things and it doesn’t work the way he thinks it will?

And that is what the Devil does to us. Makes us question our identity.

Remember the Devil knows your name and calls you by your sins. But God knows your sins and calls you by your name.

You are a beloved child of God. Don’t let anyone make you question that.

Love like Jesus.

Loving People. Loving God