Facing Satan

Everything in life comes and goes in seasons. It seems that when you feel on top of the world it isn’t long till you feel like you are in the pit. Then after a time you are back on track again. When Jesus began his earthly ministry he went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. Matthew 3:16 says that when Jesus was baptized it was as though “heaven was opened and the Spirit of God descended upon Jesus like a dove”. Then in verse,

Matthew 3:17 “And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”

I don’t know about you but to here these words from an earthly father would cause you to be happy. How much more the God of the universe? But the next thing that happens to Jesus happens to a lot of us when we have had a great mountaintop experience.

The same Spirit that came down from heaven like a dove now led Jesus into the desert so He could be tempted by Satan. Why? Have you ever felt that you have been unjustly persecuted? Have you ever felt passed over, left behind, cast away or just can’t seem to get ahead? All I can tell you is that God knows YOUR struggles. Why even put Jesus in a position where he would even interact with Satan? Satan was the head Angel who rebelled in heaven and was cast out. Why give him the time of day?

In the NIV Study Bible the commentary says this about Jesus being led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan.

“For Christ to accomplish God’s will, He had to face Satan and prevail……The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by Satan, showing that temptation doesn’t need to end in failure. That’s an encouragement to all believers who find themselves the objects of Satan’s schemes.” NIV Quest Study Bible

Isaiah 14:12-14 Talks about how Satan wanted more power than God and was cast out of heaven. He is now called the prince of this world. So in order for Jesus to help us Jesus shows us that the devil can be defeated. But it is not in our power that He is defeated but only in the name of Jesus.

Now that we know the background we can start to see how our role is played out here on earth. If you have work to do as God’s servant you will suffer trials. That is because you are doing the work of God which Satan hates. He hates Jesus so he will hate you. He not only hates you but he wants to destroy you. That is who we are up against. I get calls and e mails each week about people who are addicted to something. Addiction can come in many forms but this is a great tool of Satan. You can be addicted to work in order to hide from a real issue at home, addicted to drugs, alcohol, pornography and on and on. But this addiction does not have to end in failure and despair. The next time the urge comes to “Act Out” call upon the name of Jesus and say this prayer.

“Lord I have tried to fight this and failed. I am tired of giving in and I desperately want victory but each time I try I fail. Lord please help me to fight with your weapons and not in my own strength. Lord please protect my mind and fight of the evil schemes of Satan for me. “Satan, in the name of Jesus Christ I order you to stop these attacks”. Jesus please help me to stand strong in you and not in my own strength. Please supernaturally through your Holy Spirit allow me to have victory. Please help me to sense your Spirit inside of me fighting for me Jesus. Help me to trust and to focus on you and not the false pleasures and desires that this world has to offer. Please Jesus stop these horrible urges from coming.” Amen

Jesus can and will fight for you when you ask Him. But we fight with other weapons and not just our will.

Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

When you think that other people are trying to harm you Satan is causing them to be riled up to stop or discourage you. Don’t fight against man but go to the source, Satan. In the power of the precious and powerful name of Jesus strongholds can be broken but only broken by Jesus. When you break one stronghold NEVER think it is you; always give credit to Jesus.