A Tempting Start

Finally, sometimes Satan attacks us at our point of strength. In fact isn’t it true that our strong points are often also our weakest, because we become over confident in those areas. If you watch the cricket you’ll no doubt have noticed how the good batsmen often get out playing the shots that get them the most runs. Why? Because their strength is also their weakness. And that’s true of most of us. Satan delights to attack us at our point of strength as much as at our point of weakness. So he comes to Jesus and says "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10for it is written, ’He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ 11and ’On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’" Jesus loved to quote Scripture. He believed God’s word implicitly and so Satan uses it to tempt him. We evangelical Christians occasionally fall into a similar temptation. We believe implicitly in God’s word and so Satan tempts us to read it unthinkingly, to take it out of context, to read it literally where it isn’t meant to be taken literally, to read into it what our traditions have taught us rather than checking our traditions against what it teaches. This is precisely where the fundamentalist churches fall down. But don’t be fooled by Satan’s subtlety because he’ll use every means he can to defeat us, to lead us astray.

So how can we fight Satan’s temptations? Well, obviously, Jesus’ example is a good one isn’t it? Use God’s word. In Romans 8 Paul says (Rom 8:13 NRSV) "for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Now how do you do that? How do you put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit? Well, remember the description of the armour of God in Ephesians 6? The only offensive weapon in that list is a sword. It’s called the sword of the Spirit. And what is it? It’s the word of God (Eph 6:17). God’s word cuts through Satan’s lies and exposes the truth. It tells me how I’m to live. It tells me where true happiness is found. And it assures me of God’s love and care. Let me give you some brief examples: Matt 6:25-34 - "God cares for you just as he cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field."

Phil 4:6,19 "Be anxious for nothing ... my God shall supply all your needs."

2 Cor 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Here’s one for those like me who are getting old: Is 46:4 "even to your old age I am he, even when you turn gray, I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save."

So God’s word gives me hope for the future even when hope seems futile. What’s more, it shows me the source of real joy and meaning and fulfillment. e.g. "In your presence is fullness of joy, in your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Ps 16:11) It promises the peace of God to those whose minds are filled with what’s good: "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you." (Phil 4:8-9 NRSV)