Matthew – God’s Purpose and Law
“The devil made me do it!” This saying was made famous by a comedian, Flip Wilson, many years ago. We laughed when he did his skit and then ended it with this proclamation as if that exonerated all his mistakes and wrongdoings in life. Do we do that? Do we blame the devil for falling for the same temptations over and over again? Do we need help? YES! If we want to grow beyond whatever the devil (yes, he’s real) dishes out, tempting us to turn away from God’s best for us, then we need to follow the example of Jesus Christ…who knew no sin. He is Truth and is our Perfect Example.
Read Matthew 4: 1-11 and discover the steps Jesus took to combat Satan, the one who desires to take us away from God. Know your enemy. To know him and his tricks , used since the beginning with Adam and Eve is the frist step in overcoming your enemy. Do not give any glory to your enemy by giving in to your enemy. If Satan tries to go after the Son of God, don’t think for a minute he won’t come after you, one of God’s children.
Matthew 4: 1-11, NKJV
Satan Tempts Jesus
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’
and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
FROM THE HEART…
Did you read and understand how Jesus, Son of God, overcame his aggressor and arch enemy? Let’s really dig in and follow Jesus’ example.
1. JESUS WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD within Him. There are times when the Spirit of God will lead us to a challenging, difficult place to grow in our relationship with Him but He does not lead us to sin. It is in this desert place of quiet that we get to know God intimately and learn to depend on Him exclusively. It is also in this very place where Satan shows up with the only tricks he knows. Self satisfaction. Jesus knew him well. Jesus knew his schemes. Jesus was ready for him.
KNOW GOD! WALK IN HIS HOLY SPIRIT!
2. SATAN TEMPTS US WHEN WE ARE WEAK
Jesus was preparing himself for God’s revolutionary mission assignment of seeking and saving lost people and bringing them back to God. He fasted for forty days and nights in preparation. He is physically weak from hunger but Spiritually strong.
Since Jesus is very hungry, Satan reminds Jesus who He is and what Jesus can do as if He didn’t know. He is actually mocking Jesus when he tells him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” This plays out in our lives of being leaders in the church. We can be tempted to use our influence in ways to gratify or lift up ourselves. This “fall” to self and temptation of evil is not tolerated by God. Falling to self will bring great ministries to a screeching halt. KNOW the enemy. Know his tireless schemes. Know that if he tempted Jesus, Son of God, he will certainly tempt you. We are not immune from it. If fact we who are faithful and strong are prime targets.
KNOW THE ENEMY.
3. JESUS KNEW THE WORD OF GOD AND KNEW WHEN TO USE IT. Do we know what God says so we can repeat with conviction and clarity as we combat this same enemy? God will help us to know His Word and know when to use it to our advantage against evil. His Holy Spirit will tell us exactly what to say when. God’s Holy Spirit helps us to know and understand God’s Word. David says, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart so that I might not sin against you.” Paul told new Christians, saved by grace though the blood of Jesus, to “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Don’t leave home without His Word in your heart, mind and soul.KNOW GOD’S WORD.
4. JESUS KNEW WHO HE WAS. Jesus did not have to be told by Satan who He was, is and is to come. Satan taunted Jesus with “IF you are the Son of God…” use your power to do what you want. Sometimes we are mocked with words that are similar, “If you are such a good Christian then….” Don’t fall for that bait. We know as followers we are perfect, just perfectly forgiven. We also know we are a work in progress until we see our Savior face to face. Until we do, we live joyfully at peace because we know we are redeemed, not by what we do but by what Jesus did for us on the cross, going to hell and back for us, defeated death by rising from the grave once and for all! When we repented of our sin, amazing grace took over.
KNOW YOURSELF! WE ARE REDEEMED PEOPLE!
“Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
“Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”We are never left alone to fight this battle. We face two choices every day of our lives. Do we follow self gratification which is presented to us in a variety of ways by Satan. OR do we choose Life in Jesus Christ? Choose well. Be informed. We are Overcomers with Jesus Christ our Savior AND our Lord! “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) That’s a promise!
Thank you, dear Jesus for this perfect example and your forever help! In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe!
And we’re singing…Overcomer by Mandisa
Staring at a stop sign
Watching people drive by
T mac on the radio
Got so much on your mind
Nothing’s really going right
Looking for a ray of hope
Whatever it is you may be going through
I know he’s not gonna let it get the best of you
You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ’til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when he reminds you
That you’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer
Everybody’s been down
Hit the bottom, hit the ground
Ooh, You’re not alone
Just take a breath, don’t forget
Hang on to his promises
He wants you to know
You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ’til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when he reminds you
That you’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer
The same man, the great I am
The one who overcame death
Is living inside of you
So just hold tight, fix your eyes
On the one who holds your life
There’s nothing he can’t do
He’s telling you
You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ’til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when he reminds you
That you’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer
See don’t quit, don’t give in
You’re an overcomer
Don’t quit, don’t give in
You’re an overcomer
Don’t quit, don’t give in
You’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer
Songwriters: Benjamin Glover / Christopher E. Stevens / David Arthur Garcia
