Into Battle
Opening Prayer
As you prepare to read, pray that God’s Word today will fortify you to face the challenges and temptations ahead.
Read LUKE 4:1-13
[1] Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, [2] where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. [3] The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” [4] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.'” [5] The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. [6] And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. [7] So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” [8] Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'” [9] The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. [10] For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; [11] they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” [12] Jesus answered, “It says: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” [13] When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How does Jesus rebuff each of Satan’s temptations?As a human being, Jesus had no unnatural advantages when it came to resisting temptation (see Heb. 2:17,18). The resources he calls upon to resist Satan are available to us as Christians. His responses are a model for us.
First, he is in the place where God’s Spirit has led him. Evidently, the situation involves fasting in order to focus more profoundly upon spiritual things. Of course, this does not mean that bread is bad, or even that eating is less holy than prayer and fasting. It is simply not what Jesus should do at this time. Second, at each challenge Jesus uses Scripture, directly and exactly as the “double-edged sword” described in Hebrews 4:12. Note that he does this even when his enemy distorts a Bible passage against him. Third, it is good to realize that, through this spiritual battle, Jesus sticks exactly to his purpose of serving the God he loves.
Most of us have plenty of experience struggling with temptation; things which seem fairly trivial, and quite reasonable to our way of thinking. This does not make the ideas less wicked or our lives less of a spiritual battle.
Apply
Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you learn from Jesus how better to resist temptation.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, when I’m tempted, I want to put Satan in his place. Teach me and strengthen me for the battle, I pray.
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