Lent – Day 14 – RESIST the devil and FLEE to GOD

The Bible gives us many valuable examples on dealing with temptation. Lessons that apply to our practical life and very relevant for our day-to-day lives

One of my favourite scriptures that I stand upon, when I am battling negative thoughts and doubts that play up with my mind is James 4:7

 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you- James 4:7

What we need to note here is that some of these negative thoughts and doubts don’t even exist in our real minds. They just pop up out of nowhere and start taking away your peace for no apparent reason. Such thoughts from the devil captivate us and bind us so if trapped we don’t think of a way out but rather we sit there meditating on that destructive thinking and feel helpless / hopeless for ourselves, drowning in a pool of self pity and despair

When was Jesus led by the spirit  in the wilderness to be tempted and tested by the devil. When Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights and while he was still hungry, the devil tried to tempt Him to use His power to turn the stones into bread

 If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread – Matt 4:3

Jesus resisted the Devil with the Word of God. He replied

“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God – Matt 4:4

The devil did not want to give up. The devil took Him to the highest point of the temple in the Holy city and tempted Jesus to test the promises of God, by saying

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 – Matt 4:6

Jesus confronted the devil again with the Word of God. He replied

It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’ Matt 4:7

The devil wanted to give one final try this time before accepting defeat

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”- Matt 4:8

This time again, Jesus stood strong with the Word of God against the devil. He replied

 “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only – Matt 4:10

This time around, the devil left Jesus alone , and the angels came and attended Him

When trapped in a net of temptation, the first armour to our rescue is the Word of God. The devil is a liar and he needs to confronted with the TRUTH that is the WORD OF GOD.

Anyone can know the Word of God, even the devil knows Jesus and knows the Word of God enough to tempt Him, even Him who created the Word. What is really important here is the right interpretation of the Word of God and the proper application of it in our day-to-day lives. The Word of God cannot be twisted and re-told for want of attraction of a bunch of audience or just to make it sound more interesting. Word of God is true and interesting in itself. There is no editing required.

When temptation sends you an invitation at your door step, RESIST him and FLEE to GOD.

My prayer for you today is for you is from Ephesians 6:10-18, for you to realise that there is evil out in the word and that evil can be defeated if we stand against it with the Word of God and all that He has empowered us with to combat the devil.

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  Ephesians 6:10-18

 

Stay Blessed in Him