THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 4:3-13
“When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13)
What all these temptations have in common is that they hit Jesus where He is vulnerable.
These may not be your weaknesses, but where are you vulnerable?
The deceiver is crafty; he is always on the prowl, looking for opportune moments to pounce.
When we’re tired, when we’re distracted, when we’re overworked, when we’re over-confident.
Like an expert fisherman, he knows that different baits will catch different fish.
What bait does the deceiver use for you, that you are vulnerable to?
Jesus focuses His mind on God, and on the scriptures God speaks through.
He is armed, He has anticipated these attacks and He is quenching these fiery darts.
But this was not the end, just the beginning; the deceiver has more tricks up his sleeve.
Unlike Adam, the first son of God (Luke 3:38), Jesus resists the deceiver’s lies.
He stays true to God to the very end, even to death, and this is why death cannot keep Him.
Jesus beats the devil (and sin, and death), but the devil now focuses on us.
“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17)
He is looking for opportunities in your life too.
That makes NOW an opportune time to prepare yourself for the battles that today brings.
Don’t go into your day unarmed, unprepared… put on Jesus, put on the armour of God, stand strong in Him!
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I wish life was not a battle, but it is. The deceiver is watching me, waiting for the right moment. Keep me alert, focused, armed, holding on to You and speaking the truth whenever his lies come my way!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
When I read this over earlier, I felt like God was opening my eyes to some of the more subtle ways that I fall for temptations. Satan threw huge temptations at Jesus and he resisted like a pro. Sometimes I fall for small whispers — just sleep in. You need the rest. Read your bible later. Talk to God later. Then later doesn’t come, and Satan has succeeded in keeping me away from my power source, so to speak. Ugh. Lord, I’m not the confrontational, battling type. I pray that you would help me to stand firm in the face of the enemy.
So this one part stuck out for me in the book I’m reading ( you’ll get through this). “Let me be clear. You are a version of Joseph in your generation. You represent a challenge to Satan and his plan. You carry something of God within you, something noble and holy, something the world needs. If Satan can neutralize you, he can mute your influence.”
How is that I never really thought of it that way? We know Satan attacks us because his plan is to destory and kill…but did we ever really think the ‘why’ behind the battles? As I’m going through something very weighing in my own life and I don’t see the days ahead. Perhaps even though its hurting right now….I could change my perspective just a little.
I could remember that I do carry something of God in me. I do want to give the world more of Jesus because that’s the entire point of being His. To go out and share the good news. It makes sense. Every time I do the opposite of what the world says. A battle happens. I’m not following the plan of Satan and its pissing him off and well I like pissing him off.
Even as I go through the battle. ( you always have to go through and not over) I feel each one makes me that much stronger which is probably also pissing him off. We are warriors. Max lucado is right. If we despair and silence ourselves we have done what Satan hoped for. Well I pray I ought to never become silent….even when the fears scream. I don’t want to mute my influence. I have a responsibility. Does that mean it makes the battle any easier? Hell no. Does it mean though that we’ll get through it? I hope so!
Observations/Application
Temptation.
How to resist? Not in my own power.
Adam and Eve were tempted. I am tempted. Jesus was tempted. Yet by God’s grace and power, we are able to fight the temptation. Do we live for the things of this world or the next?
The first temptation was to distrust God Who takes care of us and does supply our daily bread.
The second was to be king of the castle like first Adam and have it all. As Christ came to serve so must I. I am not my own but belong to my Saviour. All I have is His alone. I am His servant, serving my King.
The last temptation was regarding the identity of Christ. If He be Lord . . . distrusting who He was and is and will be. Again the Source of power is God alone. He is King.
Our God reigns.
Resist the devil and He will flee from us.
How?
He has equipped us for battle with His Word. Each day anew dress yourself with the armour of God for He equips us always and in that way we can live the fruit of the Spirit.
I am weak and I need Thy strength and power,
To help me over my weakest hour.
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.
Chorus
Lead me, guide me along the way,
For if you lead me I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, oh Lord lead me.