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HOW TO RESIST THE DEVIL

October 1, 2024

And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:3-4

1. IDENTIFY THE DEVIL’S STRATEGIES. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where He was tempted by the devil for 40 days. During this time, we see a progression of attacks where the devil challenged Jesus’ identity, authority, position, and worth. And it is no different for all of us Jesus followers; the devil wants to rob us as well. 
 
2. DISTINGUISH BETWEEN A FINITE DEVIL AND AN INFINITE GOD. Whenever we are bombarded by the devil, there is a beginning, a middle, and an end to every temptation, test, and trial. As we resist the devil, he has to flee (James 4:7). Yet, God’s mercies never come to an end (Lamentations 3:22-23). The contrast is that the devil, a finite being with limited resources, comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But God, an infinite being with unlimited resources, comes to give abundant life (John 10:10). 
 
3. FOLLOW JESUS’ MODEL OF OVERCOMING. When Jesus got attacked by the devil, instead of cowering before the lies of the enemy, He said, “It is written.” Jesus remembered and comprehended the scripture and then used it as a weapon against the devil. The written Word (logos) became the deployed and activated spoken Word (rhēma) of God. We speak to our mountains, and they are removed (Mark 11:22-24). And here’s what it says about the conclusion of Jesus’ time in the wilderness: “When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). I encourage you to keep using God’s Word every day over everything you face. When the devil is attacking your identity, authority, position, and worth, you counter it with, “It is written.” 


PRAY THIS PRAYER
God, Your Word is forever settled in heaven. Your Word is a flame. Your Word is a hammer. Your Word is a sword. Psalm 119:89; Jeremiah 23:29; Ephesians 6:17

  • IT IS WRITTEN: I resist the devil, and he flees from me. James 4:7
  • IT IS WRITTEN: The angel of the Lord encamps around me. Psalm 34:7
  • IT IS WRITTEN: I am accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:6
  • IT IS WRITTEN: I’m surrounded with favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12
  • IT IS WRITTEN: I am more than a conqueror in all these things. Romans 8:37
  • IT IS WRITTEN: God always leads me in triumph. 2 Corinthians 2:14 

I stand on Your Word, Lord, and I overcome in Jesus’ name – amen!

God bless you,
Pastor Jeff Perry 

word, noun
(Greek: rhēma)
Denotes “that which is spoken, what is uttered in speech or writing.

Copyright © 2024 St. Louis Family Church, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. “Word.” Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996, p, 683.