How do you deal with temptation in your life? What if I told you that there was a sure fire way to overcome when you face the enemy? Would you be interested?
The example is found in the story of Jesus’s temptation. Jesus did not attempt to dialogue with Satan. He did not entertain a running conversation. He simply replied with God’s Word. You may have heard this before, as many preachers and teachers have made the point, but have you ever tried to live that way. Have you actually tried answering the enemy with God’s word?
Pro-Tip: You cannot answer with what you do not know. Spend time in the Word, every day, and when you face trouble, trial, or temptation, it will flow out of you.
-Pastor Conley
Matthew 3:13–4:17 (MEV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 But John prohibited Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
16 And when Jesus was baptized, He came up immediately out of the water. And suddenly the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending on Him like a dove.
17 And a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
1 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil.
2 And He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, and then He was hungry.
3 And the tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be turned into bread.”
4 But He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, and set Him on the highest point 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 concerning you,’ and ‘In their hands they shall lift you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is also written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur,
9 and said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Get away from here, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left Him, and immediately angels came and ministered to Him.
12 Now when Jesus heard that John was put in prison, He left for Galilee.
13 And leaving Nazareth, He came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14 that what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying:
15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:
16 The people who sat in darkness saw great light. And on those who sat in the land of the shadow of death, light has dawned.”
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”