Swiftly and Effectively Resist Satan
Remember the God-man who entered the jungle of temptation full of the Holy Spirit? That’s the first key. He whispered an offer as He looked into the face of the tempter in the wilderness. What did He do? He unloaded both barrels by declaring, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’”( Luke 4:8).
Are you so filled with the Holy Spirit that you could also respond with force? Do you have Scripture loaded and ready in your heart? More important, do you use your weapon when tempted? The psalmist had this in mind when he wrote on the ancient scroll, “The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip” (Psalm 37:30-31).
Is God calling you to call someone out? Jesus knew that the devil was the messenger behind that suggestion. And He ended it. The ability to exercise this kind of discernment and courage – not to mention the sacrifice of comfort – is God’s ambition for every God’s man. Jesus had this sort of courage, because He knew about the Enemy and his motives. He said “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). “He was a murder from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).
There is a cosmic chain of command, but Satan’s lust for the top can’t match the Man at the top. When Jesus made a heavenly power play, He said the same authority was available to them. “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name’”. (Luke 10-19)
Father, thank you for not helping me over think, but be equipped to act swiftly to sin with the power of your word within me.