Unmasking the Ancient Ways of Satan Part 6

“¹Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be temptedby the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”  Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV) 2010

“The Six Demonic Strategies of Satan”

IV. The Devil Will Always Attack Those Areas in our Life that our Flesh Desires the Most

“…tell these stones to become bread.”

In Jesus’ case, after forty days of fasting, he was beyond starving. Satan new that, so he continued his plan by tempting him with something that Jesus obviously wanted; FOOD! Jesus has the ability not only to turn stones to bread, but also to build a buffet restaurant of any kind. Satan will always attack us in those areas where our flesh is crying out. For some, it may be anger, for others it may be pornography, still others it may be coveting, etc. James 1:13-15 puts it this way:

“¹³ When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

There was really nothing in Jesus for Satan to grab on to, other than the fact that Jesus wanted to eat. However, it was a little crack in the door for Satan to try to come in. Just like he does with us, all Satan needs is that crack in the door, that little opening in the window to invite himself in.

The devil is not going to tempt us with things we don’t like, but he is an expert in knowing those un-holy secret desires that are rooted in our hearts. He hears us talking about it; he sees the way we behave and he plans his attack well. Satan knows how to attack us individually with exactly what is needed for us to fall. Do you know what your area of weakness is? Do you know which one of your five basic needs is not being fulfilled in your life? Is it love? Is it Power and Control? Is it Fun? Is it freedom? Or perhaps even your survival needs are not being fulfilled (Food, water and shelter). Guard yourself; those are the areas where the Devil will come to attack you!

TO BE CONTINUED…