The devil was unable to entice Jesus to sin. So he left until an opportune time to tempt him again. I can learn from this to “be self-controlled and alert. Our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
The devil tempted Jesus, and when he failed, he left Jesus until an opportune time. So will it be with his followers. Jesus’ followers need a love relationship with our master to overcome the devil. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert and remained with him there. We need a good understanding of God’s word and to obey it. Jesus’ responses to the devil were from the word of God.
Ephesians 6:11-18 says, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes… with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
When the devil tempts, after a defensive move, I can go on an offensive move. Jesus told Peter, after he confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, that the gates of hell will not keep us from breaking in and rescuing people from slavery (Matthew 16:18). I can be on the offense with the gifts God has given me. When the devil attacks, we can use the word of God to overcome.
James 4:7-10 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
