Our nation again stands poised for war against the nation of Iraq and Saddam Hussain. Our fear is that Saddam has rearmed his nation with weapons of mass destruction.
On the evening of January 16, 1991, the then President George Bush Sr. announced to the nation that Operation Desert Storm, an international coalition under the command of U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf was underway against Iraq. The primary objective of Operation Desert Storm was to forcibly remove Iraq from its five-month occupation of Kuwait, Iraq’s tiny, oil-rich neighbor.
Over the next six weeks Americans watched as a new generation soldier waged war with a new breed of technically advanced weapons. Weapons that had previously not been tested in war were now proving American superiority on the battlefield.
Perhaps the hero of what became known as the Gulf War was the Patriot missile. At a cost of over one million dollars each, these defensive missiles proved their weight in gold. Using radar and computer technology the Patriot missile could blast off to speeds of 3,000 miles per hour in seconds to blast the Iraqi Scud missiles out of the sky.
Saddam fired eighty-six Scud missiles during the Gulf War, forty at Israel and forty-six at Saudi Arabia. Few of these ever reached their targets. Instead these weapons of death were blown from the sky by the Patriot missiles.
Two other superpowers waged war in the desert over 2,000 years ago. Satan would launch missiles of temptation at Jesus in the wilderness beyond the Jordan River. None reached their mark. Every one of Satan’s Scud missiles were blown from the sky as Jesus responded with the original Patriot, the missile of God’s Word, the Bible.
Let me ask you a question: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD’S WORD WILL BE JUST AS EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING SATAN’S ATTACK AGAINST YOU? I’m here to tell you that God’s Word is still undefeated; it’s powerful! Satan’s missiles of temptation don’t stand a chance–now or ever. YOU CAN HAVE FAITH TO STAND.
+ 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV)
Jesus has shown us the way to victory. We do not have to succumb to the attacks of the enemy; you don’t have to give in to temptation or buckle under the oppression of guilt, or despair.
Last week we took a closer look at our enemy the devil. In any conflict you must know who your enemy is if you want to defeat them. I’m not going to take the time to review the nine characteristics of Satan; if you missed last week’s message you need to get a copy of the notes “Your Adversary the Devil” either online at www.praiseag.org or see me personally for a copy.
I do however want to restate point number 9 (you always save the best for last, and this is a point you don’t ever want to forget). SATAN IS A DEFEATED FOE. You can have faith to stand; you can walk in victory!
+ 1 John 4:4 the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (NIV)
In all of scripture there are only three times Satan’s voice is heard directly. The hiss of the serpent spoke to Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-6). The second time we hear Satan speak is in heaven when his deceptive scheme to try to destroy Job is brought before God, but even there God gave Job faith to stand (Job 1-2). Finally, Satan’s lies are heard in the wilderness as he brings his attack to Jesus himself (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13).
Why do I mention that? Satan chooses carefully those he would personally attack. Satan is not omnipresent; as a created being he can only be one place at a time. That’s why elsewhere in scripture the enemy is heard speaking indirectly through demons and human instruments.
· You are as likely to hear the audible voice of Satan in a one on one struggle as a WW2 soldier was to go into hand to hand combat with Adolf Hitler. How likely is it today for any one of us or our soldiers to face off against Saddam Hussain or Ossama bin Ladin?
+ 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. (NIV)
We need the Holy Spirit to help us discern when Satan is speaking through a human mouthpiece no matter who they may be: acquaintance or actor; friend or foe; preacher or politician; great or small. But don’t be deceived! We also need to discern when it is from within us that the enemy would weave his web of deception and temptation to lead us astray.
· In C. S. Lewis’ classic The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, Edmund makes his way through the wardrobe and into Narnia where he meets the White Witch. Unaware of the evil of the White Witch Edmund climbs up into her slay. The Witch asks Edmund what he would like and his request is for some of the turkish delight. Later Edmund would forsake his friends and seek out the Witch for more of the turkish delight. The White Witch did not force Edmund to eat the turkish delight or to leave his friends. Edmund did so out of his own desires within him.
Likewise Satan will never make you do anything; he can’t force you to sin. Rather he will put things in front of you that you would enjoy.
+ James 1:14-15 14But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (NIV)
If we too are going to overcome the enemy, then we must learn to recognize Satan’s deception. Don’t be fooled; the lies Satan brought to Jesus 2,000 years ago are the same lies he uses today. So let’s take a closer look at Satan’s first attack against our Lord and Christ’s response to Satan’s lies.
+ Luke 4:1-4 1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. 3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." 4Jesus answered, "It is written: ’Man does not live on bread alone.’" (NIV)
This seems like a simple and even innocent request of the devil, “tell this stone to become bread.” Remember to this point in Jesus’ life he has yet to preform a single miracle, but Satan believed that Jesus could do it.
What’s wrong with turning a stone into bread? It wouldn’t be long before Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding feast in Canna (John 2:1-11). Jesus would one day teach his disciples to pray, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). In one of Jesus’ greatest miracles, He will multiply a boys lunch of just five loaves and two fish to feed over 5,000 with twelve baskets full of leftovers!
What’s wrong with Satan’s seemingly innocent request? Like the layers of an onion we need to cut through this temptation to uncover five layers of deadly deception.
Deception #1: “IF IT FEELS GOOD, DO IT!”
Satan tempted Jesus to run after the desires of His flesh. The “lust of the flesh” seeks to place the stuff of earth before the things of heaven, to put self before God. Satan wanted Jesus to satisfy His physical hunger before His spiritual hunger.
Satan wants us to do the same thing. The devil wants us to believe above all else that man is a physical being with physical appetites which must be satisfied. The implication is that our happiness is dependent upon fulfilling all of our physical obsessions.
Eating food is not a sin in and of itself. But if food become an idol whenever we desire it more than God (perhaps we need to remember that about noon each Sunday).
+ Philippians 3:19 Their destiny is destruction, THEIR GOD IS THEIR STOMACH, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. (NIV)
When we put our physical appetites ahead of God we make our body into our god. Regardless of our physical desires–food, rest, sleep, entertainment, fun, sex or anything else your body hungers for–Satan wants you to make it #1 in your life.
+ Romans 13:14 Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature [that is your flesh]. (NIV)
Deception #2: “LOOK OUT FOR NUMBER ONE!”
Satan wants to play upon our self-centeredness. Cut to the front of the line; put me first. Can you hear Satan whispering to Jesus, “You better look out for Yourself, nobody else will–not even God”?
Stop and think about this. The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. Jesus was doing exactly what God the Father wanted Him to do exactly where He was supposed to be doing it. Would Jesus remain in the perfect center of God’s will, or will He change His course?
Satan wanted Jesus to abandon SELF-SURRENDER for SELF-CENTEREDNESS. That’s exactly what the devil wants you to do as well: BOW TO THE GOD OF SELF!
Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). What is it that will satisfy you?
Americans live and die by the self-help, Frank Sinatra “I Did it My Way” mentality. You can be a self-made man or woman who taking life by the horns pulls him/herself up by the proverbial boot straps.
+ Ephesians 4:22-24 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (NIV)
What’s it going to be–SELF-CENTEREDNESS or SELF-SURRENDER? Satan is not through there; he has a terrible plan for your life.
Deception #3: “I THOUGHT GOD LOVED YOU; YOU’RE TOO GOOD FOR THIS!”
Satan wanted Jesus to become discontent and doubt God’s love. Surely the Son of God deserves better treatment than a barren wilderness for forty days and nights.
· Satan is telling Jesus, “God must not love you like His other children. Jesus, you’re supposed to be the Son of God, but God took better care of those rebellious children of Israel. God made sure that they had manna every morning. What has God given to you? Shouldn’t you be staying downtown at the Ritz and ordering from room service?”
Doesn’t that sound familiar? Satan will tell us, “If God loves you, then why are you suffering the way you are; shouldn’t God be taking better care of you? Look at the Jones or the Smith or whoever–see how much they have and how little God has given you. You deserve better.”
When we begin to doubt God’s love for us we stop being content with God’s provision. When we doubt God’s love we become more and more discouraged. Depression will hold us in it’s paralyzing grip. We think we know what we need, but we are powerless to get it.
WE MUST LEARN THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT!
+ Philippians 4:11-13 11. . . I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
Discontentment and discouragement is fertile soil for sin to grow; it will paralyze your soul. But contentment produces a harvest of Christ’s strength within your life. Through contentment I can do all things!
+ 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. (NIV)
It’s your choice. You can cut yourself off from God’s power, or you can learn the secret of contentment.
Deception #4: “IF YOU’VE GOT IT FLAUNT IT!”
Satan tempted Jesus to misuse God’s power. Jesus had within Him the strength and power of God to do unbelievable miracles. The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to raise the dead, open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf, restore the leper, strengthen crippled limbs, and so much more.
Satan will often tempt you where you are the weakest, but he will also tempt you where you are the strongest. That’s what Satan did here with Jesus; he tempted Him in an area Jesus knew He was strong.
Everyone of us has been gifted by God. We have unique strengths and abilities that we can either use for God’s glory or misuse for our own gain.
+ 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (NIV)
Deception #5: “WHY WAIT? GO FOR IT NOW!”
Satan tempted Jesus to be impatient; “Hey Jesus, satisfy your hunger NOW!” Isn’t that how Satan tempts us as well; don’t wait until tomorrow for what you can have today.
We live in a microwavable instant gratification society. We don’t want to wait for anything. Why should a young couple who love each other wait to have sex until they are married. They aren’t hurting anybody–anyone that is except themselves.
+ 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. (NIV)
We jokingly say, “Don’t pray for patience.” Patience is only one of the nine fruits of the Spirit, but it’s a package deal; you can’t expect to be loving unless there is patience too.
Satan doesn’t want you to be patient–or show any other the other fruit of the Spirit for that matter. When you are patient–when the fruit of the Spirit is evident in your life– that’s when you resemble Jesus.
+ Psalm 37:7-9 7Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil. 9For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (NIV)
God is never late, and He is seldom if ever early. God is always right on time. Satan wants us to get in a hurry and get ahead of God; go for it now! The consequences of impatience can be deadly. Wait patiently on the Lord.
Satan fired his deadly missile of temptation at Jesus. Satan wanted Jesus to believe the deadly deception:
· If it feels good, do it!
· Look out for number one.
· I thought God loved You; You deserve better than this.
· If you’ve got it flaunt it.
· Why wait? Go for it now!
Jesus fired back with the Word of God and blew Satan’s missiles out of the sky. SATAN IS A DEFEATED FOE! YOU CAN HAVE FAITH TO STAND!
+ Isaiah 54:17 No weapon forged against you will prevail. (NIV)
The enemy can try to hit you with everything that he’s got, but he won’t succeed. God has given you an defense system that will not fail.
+ 2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (NIV)
We don’t fight back the way the world does. We aren’t firing Patriot missiles. We have been given the Word of God to keep us safe!
Notice again how Jesus responded to Satan’s first attack:
+ Luke 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: ’Man does not live on bread alone.’" (NIV)
Jesus didn’t try to resist Satan’s attack and just say, “No!” Jesus was not trying to use His will power or a superhuman determination to overcome the enemy. Jesus immediate response was to use the Word of God.
Jesus also didn’t stop and pray about it. There was no need to ask for the Father’s permission. We don’t have to weigh the pro and cons before God and hope God gives us wisdom to make the right choice.
PRAYER SHOULD PREPARE US FOR ACTION! Jesus spent time in prayer and was ready to respond to temptation. Through out the forty days in the desert Jesus was fasting; He remained in constant contact with the Father and was ready for anything.
Temptation calls for action–an immediate response from God’s word. Temptation does not call for prayer and fasting. Prayer is a powerful weapon, but if we have to stop and pray about temptation, then we aren’t prepared for the battle.
Jesus’ immediate response to temptation was to use scripture. Now let me ask you a question: if Jesus’ defense against temptation was the Word of God, why should we try to use anything else?
+ 1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (NIV)
We must follow the example of Christ. We can overcome temptation through the power of God’s Word.
· Soldiers must be prepared for battle How many of you know that a soldier can be strong physically and mentally and can be given superior weaponry to use on the battlefield, but if the soldiers don’t know how to use their weapons they will be defeated. Soldiers mut prepare through diligent training so they know how to uses the weapons on the battlefield that will save their lives.
You will not overcome the devil by waving a Bible in his face. You must be prepared for battle–read the Bible, study God’s word, memorize it, and apply it–do what it says.
+ 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (NIV)
God has given you an invincible weapon; Satan cannot overcome the Word of God, but you must know how to use it.
· Reading the Bible is a good start. You can read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation every year, but it’s not enough.
· Meditating upon the Scripture is also helpful; God can show you things that you never knew about yourself through time spent in His word.
· Participating in a small group Bible study through Sunday School or some other setting is great–I would even say you need to be a part of such a study so that you are gain a better understanding of the meaning of scripture, but guess what that’s not enough either.
· Listening to the preaching of God’s word is also vitally important. You can be admonished and encouraged in your faith through times like these. But guess what that’s not enough either; perhaps that’s why some folks can tell the preacher that they are going to leave the church because they aren’t being fed. How can some be fed while others say they are going hungry when they are both hearing the same message? It takes more than just a Sunday morning sermon to live a victorious Christian life.
· Memorizing the Bible is also a great help. You can’t draw water out of an empty well. But simply memorizing Bible verses is not enough to overcome the enemy either.
Look again at what Paul told Timothy (2 Timothy 2:15). Who is it that can stand approved before God? Who is the one that does not have to be ashamed? Who is the one that rightly handles the word of truth. IT’S THE ONE WHO OBEYS GOD’S WORD!
As we read the Bible, meditate upon scripture, participate in Bible studies, listen to sermons and memorize Bible verses we have failed unless we apply it to our lives. OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD IS THE KEY!
Conclusion:
A story is told about four preachers who were debating what the best Bible translation was.
The first argued that the KJV was best. It showed that God’s word would endure from generation to generation; the poetry and Old English was beautiful to read. The KJV teaches us to revere the scriptures and study them diligently.
The second minister argued that the NAS Bible was better because it provided us with the most accurate translation. The closest word for word translation from the original Hebrew and Greek is what we gained through the NAS Bible.
The third pastor argued that the NIV was the best translation. He said that it was much easier to read than the other translations and while it did not have the word for word meaning like the NAS the NIV captured the original meaning of the text and communicated it in modern language.
Each then looked to the fourth minister to see which version of the Bible he would support. After a few moments he said, “I guess I believe the living bible is the best translation.”
Each of the other ministers responded, TLB is not a translation it’s only a paraphrase and is too wordy to be trusted. The fourth minister smiled and said, “No I don’t mean the book; I mean the living Bible I saw lived out in the life of my father every day. He lived the scriptures in such a way that I was convinced the Bible was indeed the word of God. Dad’s living Bible changed my life.”
+ 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV)
Satan will fire his missiles of temptation your way, but God is faithful! You can have faith to stand with the invincible weapon of God’s word at work in your life!
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Portions of the series "Faith to Stand" are drawn from the book: FAITH UNDER FIRE, Steven J. Lawson, 1995.
