Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. The Spirit led Jesus into the desert where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days. Jesus ate nothing during that time, and when those days were ended, he was very hungry.
The devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, tell this rock to become bread.”
Jesus answered,”It is written in the Scriptures: ‘A person does not live on bread alone.’ “
Then the devil took Jesus and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant. The devil said to Jesus, “I will give you all these kingdoms and all their power and glory. It has all been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. If you worship me, then it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered,”It is written in the Scriptures: ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ “
Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem and put him on a high place of the Temple. He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump down. It is written in the Scriptures:
‘He has put his angels in charge of you to watch over you.’ — Psalm 91:11
It is also written:
‘They will catch you in their hands so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.’ ” — Psalm 91:12
Jesus answered,”But it also says in the Scriptures: ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’ ”
After the devil had tempted Jesus in every way, he left him to wait until a better time. Â Â Â Luke 4:1-13 (NCV, my emphasis)
This is a passage of Scripture that I need to read every time I feel my life has taken on a “Job life.†When I wonder why troubles come my way and the enemy seems to be circling my days, I need to remember that the accuser is no respecter of who he tempts. He went after God-in-the-flesh, Jesus Christ! And Jesus – shows me the truths about my enemy.
Don’t ever forget – he’s a liar. I believe satan’s #1 way to lie is to take Scripture and twist it just enough to make it a lie. It may sound almost like the Holy Spirit! Remember the serpent in the Garden? Satan asks Adam and Eve whether God really meant they couldn’t eat the fruit. Really?!! And here, satan taunts Jesus with Scripture that He really doesn’t have power and He really can’t win here on earth without his help. Liar! (Don’t forget that, Jody.)
His power is only what is given. Contrary to what satan tries to tell Jesus about power, satan only gets whatever power is given to him. He even admits it! He says the earth was given to him. So that means that the Giver has more power. I need to remember Who I belong to. I am the child of the King. And the King stands with me.
He won’t give up until he is in the lake of fire. Luke makes a statement that I don’t find in Matthew or Mark’s gospels: satan will be back. And I need to remember that also. Satan will not give up until Jesus puts his sorry carcass into that lake of fire. And I look so forward to that time! In the meanwhile, any opportunity that the LORD gives me to participate in giving satan a blackeye, I am more than happy to serve!
Satan hates it when he sends a trial my way and I react by turning and coming closer to God. Bam! Blackeye!
Satan hates it when I hear the Holy Spirit tell me to do something to encourage someone and I obey with a card or phone call or email. The person is drawn closer to God because he/she is touched by God’s extraordinary love. Crack! Right on the nose!
Satan hates it when he tries to deceive me with his lies and I come back at him like Jesus did with God’s promises, standing firm on the Rock and telling him to “Get lost!â€. One-Two punch! Bloody lip and a blackeye! Yup, you just limp on off down the road while I dance with my Beloved.
The Happy Dance written and sung by Delirious?
