PUT THE DEVIL IN HIS PLACE

SPEAK TO THE DEVIL! That's right, you heard me. Matthew recounts the manner in which the Lord Jesus, our role model, confronted the enemy of our souls. After a time of severe physical and emotional stress, Jesus had this confrontation with Satan:

. . . [Satan] said to [Jesus], “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. (from Matthew 4:9-11)

Notice the sequence here:

1. Jesus tempted by the devil
2. Jesus SPEAKS from scripture*
3. Satan flees the scene
4. Angels appear with tangible help

If there are areas of life where we can't seem to move ahead, maybe it is time to SPEAK OUT. Know and apply God's word to the source of the problem; speak truth to the devil himself, if need be. If the Lord Jesus Christ was not exempt from this type of confrontation, should I hope to avoid dealing with the devil? Should I politely ignore him and hope he'll go away?

In no way do I mean to make light of our adversary the devil, who roams around looking for prey. If the Lord Jesus himself did not confront Satan in his own power, but relied upon God's word to back him up, shouldn't you do the same? We are irresponsible Christians if we have the one and only weapon of defense in our spiritual arsenal, the Bible, available at our fingertips and refuse to learn to wield it.

Our mission in life is to go and do as Jesus did, under his power, being transformed by the renewing of our minds to look more and more like him on the inside! BE BOLD, rebuke Satan, put him in his place, and he will flee. Not until you forcibly move the enemy out of your way by direct application of God's word, will you be able to receive the help that God is waiting to provide.

*NOTE:

The Son of God LEARNED and CITED scripture. He did not rely solely on his divine nature, but throughout his ministry quoted the law and the prophets. To get scripture in your head, work your way systematically through the entire Bible. You ca find tools to help at http://www.backtothebible.org, or use the calendar link in the left sidebar of this blog. One way or another, be SURE to systematically work your way through the entire collection of writings known as the Bible.