Running Into The Devil

Matthew 4:3

“And the tempter came to him.”

The Tempter, known also as Satan, Old Serpent, The Devil, and Adversary came to Jesus. And if he will come to Jesus, then he will come to you and I as well. Since Lucifer was cast out of heaven down to the earth he has been in revolt against God and man. Jesus called him a thief who is out “To kill, steal, and destroy.” (John 10:10) He has done nothing but wrought pain, suffering, and destruction into the world, to the home, to the churches, and ruining the lives of many. He has deceived, manipulated, and blinded many men and woman to the Gospel and the grace of God. He is wise, cunning, and very powerful, and has overcome the strongest of mankind. What nerve he has to be in revolt against his maker in the beginning and now what nerve he continues in his revolt as he comes to the Son of God.

He came to Eve in the garden, to God in heaven before going to Job, to Jesus in the wilderness and the Garden of Gethsemane, Paul in order to buffet him, and to you and I today.

Let us never underestimate this foe! Let us be as Paul said “Aware of Satans devises.” (2 Corinthians 2:11) Let is also take heed to Paul’s advice to the Ephesians when he said “Give no place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27) Paul is saying don’t let the devil get a foothold. A foothold is a place where’s persons foot can be lodged to to support them securely. (Oxford Dictionary) Let is not allow “Satan to hinder us” or stand in our way, as he did Paul when he intended to go to Thessalonians. (1Thessalonians 2:18)

We learn this Lent season how Jesus overcame this assault of Satan. He did through Fasting, Prayer, and The Scriptures. But we also learn another way by which we overcome as well in the book of Revelation 12:11. It says that they overcame him (The Devil) by

· The blood of the Lamb

· The Word of their testimony

· Loving not their lives unto death

So although Satan is a formidable foe, we, through Jesus Christ, have the power in his name to overcome that wicked one. John said that Jesus was “Manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil.” (1 John 3:8) Peter said Satan is “As a roaring Lion seeking out whom he may destroy.” (1 Peter 5:8) Although he is loose, yet he is still bound by God and the work of the cross.

Flip Wilson used to say “The Devil made me do it.” I remind you today, as a child of God, Satan has no power or authority over you. When he comes to you as he did Jesus, just tell him in what Jesus told him “Get the behind me Satan!” (Matthew 4:10)

Pastor Robby