The Best Defense Is...

Scripture:

Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, 

and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Devotional:

In Matthew chapter four Jesus heads out into the wilderness for forty days and nights.  At the end Satan comes along to tempt Jesus.  Satan’s attacks are directed at Him in three different areas.  The first attack came in such a way to meet physical needs.  The second attack came in such a way as to test God.  The third attack came in the form of wealth and power.  Satan also used Scripture in order to try and entice Jesus into falling.  How did Jesus defeat Satan?  Jesus used God’s very words against him.  Satan even used God’s word against Him.  Jesus in turn used God’s word to defeat Satan.

In each of the attacks Jesus used Scripture to defeat the enemy.  Can you see how Satan is attacking you?  What areas are you being attacked in?  How are you defending yourself?  We can help each other in repelling the attacks from the enemy.  We can go to church to be rejuvenated so that we can withstand another week’s worth of attacks.  However, the best way to send Satan reeling back is through the use of Scripture.  The best way to use Scripture is to be familiar with it.  The best way to be familiar with Scripture is to read it.  It is important to read through the Bible continuously praying over what we read.  Then when the enemy comes we will be prepared.  We need to be armed with the Holy Spirit, But we need to be prepared with the Bible…