· It began 68 years ago today, December 1st, 1934. Sergey Kirov, a leader of the Russian Revolution and a high-ranking member of the Politburo, was shot to death at his Leningrad office by Leonid Nikolayev. Many believe that the gunman Nikolayev, a member of the Communist Party, carried out the assassination by the urging of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Whatever Stalin’s true role in the murder of his political rival Kirov, the assassination was used by Stalin as a masquerade for eliminating many of his rivals within the Communist Party, the government, the armed forces, and the intelligence community.
Seven different trials were held related to Kirov’s assassination. Although the evidence presented in each trial often contradicted the other trials, a guilty verdict was always the outcome. Different individuals were found guilty of Kirov’s death all with a variety of motives and means for carrying out the murder. The Kirov assassination trials marked the beginning of Stalin’s massive four-year purge of Soviet society, in which millions of people were imprisoned, exiled, or killed.
In a similar way Satan seeks to destroy you and me. Jesus said the devil’s primary objective is to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Our enemy is real; a deadly battle rages on. None of us can escape this war for our souls. Satan’s attack against you and me is relentless, but we 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)
Each and every day we face the onslaught of the enemy. Satan wants to imprison us behind bars of condemnation and guilt; he wants us to be exiled in a barren wasteland of despair and grief; the devil seeks to assassinate us with deadly deception and temptation to sin. But God is faithful!
GOD IS FAITHFUL! Jesus holds the keys to the prison of guilt; Jesus leads us out of the wilderness of depression; Jesus empowers us by His Spirit and His Word to live an abundant life free from sin. God will make a way of escape so that whenever the enemy attacks you can have faith to stand!
Jesus faced the Satan’s attack in the Judean wilderness. Over the last three weeks we have looked at who our enemy is and uncovered his lies and deception concealed within Christ’s temptation. Today we come to the third temptation; look with me at the devil’s scheme in Luke 4:9-12.
+ Luke 4:9-12 9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written: "’He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’" 12Jesus answered, "It says: ’Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’" (NIV)
The devil attacked, and Jesus was ready with the counter attack. Jesus faced the same temptation that you and I encounter, but He overcame.
+ Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. (NIV)
We can have faith to stand; we can overcome everyone of the devil’s attacks. In Ephesians 6 the Apostle Paul encourages us to be prepared for Satan’s attack; we are to be ready, not to run in retreat, but to stand up in the midst of the attack.
+ Ephesians 6:13-16 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which YOU CAN EXTINGUISH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE. (NIV)
Even through the most hellish of attacks, Paul tells us that we can have faith to stand. When we face arrows set on fire by hell’s flames we can overcome the devil’s evil assault.
Satan’s arsenal of flaming arrows is vast; these hellish arrows come in all forms:
· the temptation to all kinds of impurity and sexual sin,
· the seduction of selfish ambition and pride,
· the fiery emotions of hatred and dissension,
· the projectiles of despair, doubt and fear,
· the green flames of envy and jealousy,
· the deadly deception of greed and envy,
· the fascination of power gained by witchcraft or sorcery,
· the thirst of drunkenness and substance abuse.
Whatever Satan’s fiery arrow may be that is set into his bow, understand that the devil’s aim is singular and steady with deadly accuracy. The devil’s objective is to kill us–to destroy us by whatever means possible.
Let’s take a closer look at Satan’s third attack against Jesus and uncover three of the flaming arrows that the devil would use against each of us as well. Then just as Jesus extinguished each of these flaming arrows, we can learn to likewise take up the shield of faith and stand firm!
Flaming Arrow #1: PEER PRESSURE
The third temptation doesn’t take place in the wilderness; the devil leads Jesus into Jerusalem. The first two temptations took place in the isolation of the wilderness, but this temptation takes place among the crowded streets of the Holy City. Jerusalem was not only the political center for the Jewish nation, it was also the heart of their religious belief.
Hundreds if not thousands of people crowded the narrow streets of Jerusalem. At the temple there would be people from all levels of the Jewish society–not just the religious elite, but people from every class and economic level would be at the temple. What an abrupt change this was for Jesus who had spent the last forty days alone in the wilderness.
Can you imagine how Satan lured Jesus as they made their way through the market place up to the temple. Can you hear the hiss of the sly serpent above the noise of the crowd?
· Satan would say, “Jesus, these are the people that you have come for; just look at them all! Look there at the beggars; they are just hoping for someone to meet their need. And there, do you see that group of Zealots? They are looking for a powerful leader to set them free from the oppression of the Romans. Look there, do you see the Herodians? If you proved yourself to them they would abandon Herod and follow you! Ah and do you see all the religious leaders–the Sadducees, Pharisees, the priests, the members of the Sanhedrin. Jesus this is your chance to show them all who you really are. They will all follow you if you just prove yourself to them!”
As Jesus stood with Satan at the pinnacle of the temple He could see them all. “Call to them Jesus,” Satan hisses, “They will all see that you are God’s Son as you leap from this place and God catches you before their very eyes!”
There in Jerusalem, Jesus was enticed to win over the same crowd that would one day have Him crucified. Satan presented Jesus with the opportunity to be accepted by the religious leaders. Jesus could have instantly gone from being an unknown to being a celebrity.
The flaming arrow of peer pressure was shot from Satan’s bow. The devil finds this to be a very effective arrow when it is launched in our direction.
PEER PRESSURE IS CROWD POWER! It’s the desire born deep within our hearts to be accepted and gain the approval of the people around us. None of us want to feel like an outsider–to be unappreciated, unnoticed and unwanted.
Peer pressure provides us with a FABRICATED COURAGE to do and say things that we would not do without the watchful eye of the crowd. A public gathering can embolden the most level-headed among us to sin. People will say and do things to gain the approval of the crowd that they would never–I repeat never–do or say privately.
Peer pressure even affects people within the crowd that gathers for worship in the church. Satan tempted Jesus to win over the crowd at the temple, and don’t forget it was a meeting of religious folks that decided it would be better for Barabbas, a known murderer, to be released and have Jesus crucified. That’s the kind of insane behavior that peer pressure can have even within the church–we’ll do and say things we wouldn’t think of when we’re alone.
Why would a celebration following the OSU Buckeyes’ victory over Michigan turn into a riot? Peer pressure–the power of the crowd–emboldened individuals to act in ways contradictory to their normal behavior. Were there any in the crowd who made it a habit of throwing things at police or destroying private property?
Who will you seek to please–God or the crowd? When you please God it really doesn’t matter what other people think about you. However, if you fail to please God, the approval of the crowd won’t mean anything.
+ 1 Corinthians 4:3,4 It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself. . . The Master makes that judgement. (The Message)
+ 1 Thessalonians 2:4 . . . we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO PLEASE MEN BUT GOD, who tests our hearts. (NIV)
You can overcome the attack of the enemy; the flaming arrow of peer pressure can be extinguished! But be alert! Satan has another flaming arrow commonly shot with peer pressure.
Flaming Arrow #2: PRIDE
Standing high atop the temple, far above the crowd Satan tempted Jesus to elevate Himself in the eyes of others. Can you hear the devil’s prideful boast to entice Jesus; “Jesus you’re the Son of God aren’t you? Show them all that you are #1; let them all see just how great you really are!”
We often think of pride in the context of secular society. We can see how those in Hollywood or Washington DC try to position themselves above others. We may see pride at school or work as individuals with poor self-esteem criticize others in order to elevate their own standing in the eyes of their peers. Pride comes in all shapes and sizes with a wide selection of possibilities to build up one’s status.
None of us would ever be hit by the flaming arrows of pride now would we? Haven’t those of us within the church learned to live a life of humility? Don’t be fooled!
Don’t overlook the obvious. Jesus was tempted with pride at God’s house of worship! The flaming arrows of pride can be shot into our hearts as we open the doors of the sanctuary. Satan would try to cause us to elevate ourselves above others.
Jesus was tempted to lose sight of His humble mission here on earth. The story of Christmas, of Christ’s incarnation that is of God taking upon Himself human flesh, Christmas is a story of Christ’s humility.
· The Holy Spirit caused Mary to conceive and suddenly the infinite fullness of God is limited to the size of an embryo within Mary’s womb.
· The fetus within Mary grew and developed until finally the infant Jesus is born; fully God and yet fully man dependant upon His mother for nourishment and care.
· Jesus was not born in a palace, but in a smelly and dirty stable; not even a room in the inn was offered for the birth of the child.
· His crib was not adorned with gold and jewels; instead it was a lowly manger–a feeding trough for animals!
· The nation didn’t rejoice over the birth of a king; His birth went unnoticed except for a handful of shepherds that were told about His birth.
Satan wanted Jesus to forget His humble birth. The devil did not want Jesus to identify Himself with those whom He had come to save. Satan didn’t want Jesus to stay on our level, but to exalt Himself again above us!
Jesus would not yield to Satan’s schemes. Jesus knew that He did not come into this world to be served, but to serve and give His life to set us free from sin (see Mark 10:45).
· The Pharisees and other religious leaders of Jesus’ day had succumb to the flaming arrows of pride. They came to the temple filled with an arrogant self-righteousness looking down upon others as unworthy sinners. Jesus even told a parable about one such Pharisee whose prayer in the temple could be heard by all. This religious leader paraded before the other worshipers in the temple giving thanks to God that he was superior to the terrible tax-collectors and other common sinners (see Luke 18:10-12).
We too must be careful of yielding to such self-righteous pride. The seduction of pride can easily fill our hearts. Be on guard!
+ Obadiah 1:3 The pride of your heart has deceived you. . . you who say to yourself, “Who can bring me down to the ground?” (NIV)
+ Isaiah 2:11 The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. (NIV)
Satan wants to isolate the church today from those he holds in captivity to sin through spiritual pride. When we elevate ourselves above the world we hold them under the waters of sin to die.
Instead of reaching out with a helping hand we often point a condemning finger at them pushing them further from the cross of Christ.
Instead of living with humble thanksgiving because Christ has rescued us out of the filth of sin, we often wear a spiritual pride keeping others from the only hope that can save them from the wretched condition of their lives.
The devil’s heart was filled with pride; he wanted to be God–to be #1. Now Satan is wanting you and me to follow his example and raise ourselves above those around us.
If we are going to be followers of Jesus and live as His disciples then we must extinguish the flaming arrows of pride. Jesus humbled Himself; we too must live in humility.
+ Matthew 23:11-12 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (NIV)
Within Christ’s third temptation are the flaming arrows of PEER PRESSURE and PRIDE. But there’s another arrow burning with deadly deception within this third temptation.
Flaming Arrow #3: PRESUMPTION
Jesus is tempted to force God’s hand to save Him from what would otherwise be a suicidal leap of certain death. Notice how Satan lures Jesus to consider taking a leap of faith.
+ Luke 4:9-11 9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10FOR IT IS WRITTEN: "’He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’" (NIV)
Satan has been pushed back and defeated as Jesus used the Word of God as an invincible counter attack to the first two temptations. Now the devil uses the Scriptures to lead Jesus astray! Satan quotes from Psalm 91:11-12, but just as important as what the devil says is what he does not say.
Satan will twist scripture to fit his agenda; he will use the Bible to say what he wants it to say. The devil will always leave out those things which God has said that do not agree with his scheme.
Psalm 91:11 is God’s promise that His angels will watch over the lives of His children; furthermore verses 12 and 13 give some specific examples of how God will protect those He loves. But as Satan twists the scripture seeking to lead Jesus astray he stops at verse 12. Now why do you think he would do that?
+ Psalm 91:13-14 13You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. (NIV)
Satan does not want to remind Jesus that He will tread upon the lion and the cobra because the devil is that great lion and serpent. God prophetically said that the day would come when the “seed of the woman” would crush the head of the serpent (see Genesis 3:15). When your involved in a war, it is not a tactical advantage to remind your opponent that He will ultimately win the war!
Likewise the devil did not want to remind Jesus of the condition of God’s provision and protection. Verse 14 tells us plainly that it is because we love the Lord that He will in turn keep us safe in all our ways.
So you see Psalm 91 is not a “blank check promise” that God will protect us no matter what we may do. Rather it is a promise to the godly man and woman that God will protect and keep them as long as they continue to lovingly walk in obedience to God’s will.
God will lead you safely through the minefield of life; one misstep could be deadly. Satan would deceptively use God’s word to encourage you to take that misstep!
+ Psalm 19:13 Keep your servant also from willful [presumptuous] sins; may they not rule over me. (NIV)
We can presume upon God in many different ways. We confuse fatalism with faith. The fatalist believes that the events of life are predestined to happen as they do and we are powerless to change them. As believers we will even spiritualize this doctrine through the sovereignty of God; because God is in control of this world He will make it all work out in the end regardless of what I may do.
What is the difference between fatalism and faith? Fatalism is passive–“whatever will be will be.” Faith is active; “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Faith is the assurance of those things unseen that spurs us on to obedience. Faith cooperates with God; fatalism throws up its hands and says, “God is in control.”
Let’s understand that if we truly love God and believe that He will take care of us, then there is no need to test God’s protection over our lives. Because of the Lord’s great love for us we are not destroyed; we trust in His unfailing love (see Lamentations 3:22).
If we put God to the test, then we are making ourselves superior to God and the Lord becomes our slave. When we presume upon God and put His faithful provision to the test we elevate ourselves above God; we become the teacher and He assumes the role of a student under careful examination.
Those who love God and continue to walk in surrendered obedience to His will have the assurance that the Lord will keep them in all their ways. Those who foolishly step outside God’s will have no promise of His loving protection.
The Apostle Paul could have easily presumed upon the grace of God. When he faced beating and imprisonment Paul could have decided God was directing him another way. Paul could have tried to bargain with God or even demanded better treatment, but he didn’t. Paul surrendered daily to God’s purpose for his life believing that God would take care of him no matter how uncomfortable he may be.
+ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV)
Paul learned not to presume upon God; he was in no position to make demands upon God. Instead Paul learned a lesson that has been passed on to us. God’s provision is not dependent upon our comfort level. Rather the protection and provision of the Lord is shown perfect through our weaknesses. God’s grace is more than sufficient regardless of our circumstances.
Conclusion:
Satan placed his flaming arrows in his bow and shot them toward the heart of Christ. Peer pressure, pride and presumption, a lethal dose of deception intended to lead Jesus into sin and ultimately death.
Jesus was ready with his the counter attack. The devil’s fiery darts could not touch our Lord.
+ Luke 4:12 Jesus answered, "It says: ’Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’" (NIV)
Jesus was prepared for every attack of the enemy. Satan is shooting to kill you as well. When the devil shoots one of his fiery arrows at you be ready with the counter attack.
Remember: if we are to overcome Satan’s deadly deception we must be FILLED UP and PRAYED UP.
FILLED UP: we have hidden God’s word within our hearts which keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:11). We’ve have been trained in the use of the sword of the Spirit and we are armed and dangerous!
PRAYED UP: prayer prepares us for the battle; we are ready for action. We go into battle not in our own strength, but empowered by the Holy Spirit.
· Police officer Buddy Evans of Arlington, Texas had no idea what was about to hit him as he approached a parked car on February 26th 1988. Pamela Takhar was hidden in the front seat of her car with one insane goal: kill a police officer. As Officer Evans opened the door of what he believe was an abandoned car, Takhar raised up with a devilish smile and shot him in the chest at point blank range. Evans instantly hit the ground, but miraculously he was not killed. Evans was not even wounded. Why? The answer was the bullet proof vest that was hidden under his uniform. Certain death was adverted because Evans was prepared for action.
Prayer prepares us for action. Prayer activates our faith so that we can resist the onslaught of the enemy. Through our time spent with our Lord we are prepared to lift up the shield of faith which extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the devils attack. And by faith we pick up the sword of the Spirit–the Word of God– and counter the Satan’s attack. Satan is defeated and pushed back and we stand strong in the power of the Lord.
+ 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)
You can have faith to stand!
___________________________
Portions of the series "Faith to Stand" are drawn from the book: FAITH UNDER FIRE, Steven J. Lawson, 1995.
