"... If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread..."
Did the devil say, "If - IF you are the Son of God?" But didn't God just say, "This IS my son?" And did the devil say, "Command these stones to become bread?" just after Jesus' 40 day fast, after which he was famished?
Nothing new here. Satan is always trying to undo the thing that God has done. He is also all about providing instant gratification to those in fatigue and dilemmas with "no hope." When we hear thoughts that seek to undo God's full redemption in us, or when a magic answer appears and prematurely plops itself before us in the heat of our greatest perceived need, take caution.
God's ways are peaceful. They are loving. They are timed between between the hands of grace and mercy. His provision is not provisional. His unconditional love is not conditional. God gives with no strings attached, with no hint of ulterior, hidden agenda - nor any trace of coaxing or questioning.
Jesus knew this. When he recognized that same voice of Fallen Creation in his WIlderness he decidedly engaged the battle with a proper exegesis of Holy Scripture. The devil uses Scripture, to be sure. But he twists it to his own agenda, which always includes the accusation of the Saints. But Jesus knew the Word of God. He quoted it, not himself. He knew it was/is a more powerful than any double-edged sword. In the pain, fatigue, hunger and thirst of his Wilderness Experience he knew the Word of God would maintain its spiritual anointing and authority, regardless of his own personal weakness.
And, when the Word was exalted, the devil retreated.
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