Temptation is something we all experience. The internet can infect us. The media can deceive us. Movies portray images that scream for our attention. Our mind and emotions are exposed to enticing situations that seem irresistible. How do you defeat the flaming arrows fired at us daily? In Matthew 4, Jesus shows us how to win against temptation. In v. 3, "...the tempter came and said to Jesus, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Jesus had just fasted 40 days and nights. The Devil knew Jesus was hungry. Using Jesus' basic yet essential need for food, Satan tempts Jesus to sin by abusing His power and questioning His Father's care for Him. The stakes couldn't be higher. If Jesus sins, we have no Savior. His mission to the cross would be violently halted and we would be lost forever. What do you do when you are tempted? What would Jesus do?
Mercifully, Jesus combats the temptation and gives us the answer by quoting Scripture. In v. 4, Jesus says, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Jesus doesn't defeat Satan by quoting some random scripture. He doesn't yell some irrelevant phrase to 'bind Satan.' Jesus uses specific bible verses to defeat specific temptations. If you are losing your battle with temptation, you're not fighting it like Jesus. Be encouraged-you can win but you must wage the war Jesus' way. You must combat temptation with Scripture.
Right now, scroll through your mind where you are tempted and calculate where you keep falling spiritually. Locate that sin or temptation and ask yourself why you keep folding under the pressure. The answer probably lies in the fact that you cannot attack the temptations with Scripture? The only way to defeat supernatural temptations is with a supernatural power. You have all the power you need in the Word of God since it is "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword." Wield the sword my friend. Go on the offensive. Trust God. Prayerfully yet persistently meet the temptations with scripture and watch your spiritual life take off like an airplane. The Devil's glad to throw the same darts if you keep falling to the same sin. Let's make sure you're armed and ready to meet the wiles of the Devil by being strong in the Word. Ready yourself to win the war by being empowered by the Spirit who authored the Word. When you you attack the temptation with the bible, you'll know the joy of not just floundering, but fighting and winning the war against sin and temptation. |
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