Temptation
and Battling the Devil
When tempted, we are not merely to resist
temptation, but to resist the devil. Scripture says:
This I say therefore, and testify in
the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of
their mind, 18 Having
the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the
ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have
given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with
greediness. 20 But
ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If
so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in
Jesus: 22 That
ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And
be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And
that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and
true holiness. 25 Wherefore
putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are
members one of another. 26 Be
ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let
him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good,
that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication
proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that
it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And
grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption. 31 Let
all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put
away from you, with all malice: 32 And
be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:17-32 (KJV)
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore
he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will
draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be
afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight
of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:6-10 (KJV)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour: 9 Whom
resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in
the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put
on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of
the devil. 12 For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand. 14 Stand
therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness; 15 And
your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield
of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked. 17 And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God: 18 Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may
be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of
the gospel, 20 For
which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought
to speak.
Ephesians 6:10-20 (KJV)
As Paul says in the last passage, I ask you
to pray for me—I cry out for your
prayers: that I may boldly speak, write, and proclaim while on this earth God’s
Word. Your local church Pastor, elders, your mentors, your parents, and your
future spouse also cry out for your prayers. Prayer is important and praying
for our authority is important because it encourages them in a way that nothing
else can.
Prayer will strengthen you for the battles
you face; not for temptation alone, but battle with the Devil:
Praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)
And he came out, and went, as he was
wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place,
he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41 And he was withdrawn from them
about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be
willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel
unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And
being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great
drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And
when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them
sleeping for sorrow, 46 And
said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Luke 22:39-46 (KJV)
When you do battle with Satan, ask God to
rebuke Him. Let me give you an example from my own life. Now, at the time, I
did not realize that I was asking God to rebuke Satan in this area of my life,
but now I do. There was a time that I was deeply distressed in my spirit. I
knew that I was addicted to watching television and the thing that troubled me
most was that I knew my heart loved sitting and watching when I knew I needed
to be doing other things. In desperation in the back room one day, I think
scooping the cat litter, I cried out to God something like this “Lord, I know
that I love television too much, please break its love from me, Lord.”
I asked God to remove the love because I
knew that I could not change myself. Yes, I have personal responsibility for my
actions and a will to choose with, but I cannot change my own heart—that
transformation, that heart transplant must be a work of God:
A new heart also will I give you, and a new
spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your
flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV)
Create in me a clean heart, O God;
and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast
me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy
salvation; and uphold me with thy
free spirit. Psalms 51:10-12 (KJV)
I’m glad to report that in time, the Lord
did transform my heart and my desire for television has pretty much changed 180
(I still enjoy a good Christian film from time to time for encouragement), I am
not longer dependent and feeling a longing to watch television. I am reminded
of what Jesus said about when we ask according to His will:
For I came down from heaven, not to
do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
John 6:38 (KJV)
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my
name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in
my name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14 (KJV)
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye
ask amiss, that ye may consume it
upon your lusts.
James 4:3 (KJV), emphasis added
And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the
Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27 (KJV)
Sincerely cry out to God, whether
silently from a desperate heart or loudly from an anguished soul, to rebuke the
Devil in whatever stronghold he has built because of ground you yielded slowly
to him. A word of caution though, don’t rebuke Satan of your own authority, by
say “May God rebuke you.” The significance is simply related to how we are not
to take revenge, but trust the Lord to repay vengeance. Take heart, the gates
of hell cannot prevail against the Church of the Living God!
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through
God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of
Christ; 6 And
having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is
fulfilled.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (KJV)
Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh,
despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel,
when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not
bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those
things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in
those things they corrupt themselves. Jude 1:8-10 (KJV)
Ask God to guard your mind in the peace
of Christ because I can guarantee that the Satan and his demons wants to get a
foothold in your mind. I was just reading today in some notes from my pastor’s,
which I think were from an IBLP seminar with Bill Gothard, a bullet point that
said, “Satan cannot control a Christian’s spirit, but he can control their
mind, will, and emotions.” Your soul is your mind your will and your emotions.
Your body is your physical body. And your spirit is your innermost self—your
heart—wear the Holy Spirit dwells once you have accepted Christ as Savior and
Lord. Be on your guard, your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion!
Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour: 9 Whom
resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who
hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have
suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:8-10 (KJV)
And the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians
4:7 (KJV)
