Bible Study - Dark Side (6) - Battle Plan - Matthew 4:1-11 - October 8, 2017

Bible Study – Dark Side (6) – Battle Plan – October 8, 2017

This is our sixth (6) and final lesson in the series entitle, “The Dark Side.”  

Our focus scripture is Matthew 4:1-11.

We can follow JESUS’ example in defeating spiritual attacks.

We have studied much about the spirit world. Christians are to put on the “full armor” everyday to be protected against of army Satan/the Devil. Christians are to stand firm when they encounter the evil world. Christians are in spiritual battle with the spirit world daily, thus the reason Christians must suit up daily.

When JESUS began HIS earthly ministry, the Devil tempted HIM. If the Devil tempted JESUS, Christians will not escape temptations from the Devil and his army. But Christians must keep in mind “Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world.”

Revelation 12:10:

10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

The Devil/Satan is the great accuser but JESUS is the advocate before GOD for every Christian, as recorded in 1 John 2:1:

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

When we sin, as a Christian, confess it but do not debate your sin with the Devil/Satan. Instead, tell the Devil/Satan to go to your advocate, JESUS CHRIST and HE will settle the issue or matter because you have confessed your sin to HIM. This takes the issue from your hands and places it into your advocate’s (JESUS) hands. As GOD’S Son or Daughter transfer your case to JESUS CHRIST, Who fulfilled the law and prophesy. HE gave HIS perfect, sinless life just for your salvation. What better council/lawyer/advocate can a Christian have in the heavenly realm than JESUS! JESUS deals with spiritual matters and Satan in heaven before GOD. That is out of our reach but home to our JESUS.

JESUS practices in the heavenly court. Confess whatever the Devil/Satan may be beating you over the head with to GOD, stop doing it and turn it over to your advocate, JESUS. If the Devil/Satan continues to whisper your faults into your mind/ear tell him to “Check with your advocate JESUS because HE handles all yours cases.” When you do turn it over to JESUS and let HIM deal with Satan/the Devil. JESUS has already won the victory and HE knows the strategy of Satan; don’t let the Devil/Satan make you think otherwise.

When a person has an attorney, does the accused plead the case? No! Or does the accused let their council plead his or her case? Yes! Once you turn over your case to JESUS, leave it with HIM. The Devil/Satan will attempt to get you to start arguing your case, don’t. When Satan/the Devil whispers to you, don’t listen but tell the spirit world to check with your advocate, JESUS. The Devil/Satan wants you to think doing so is silly. As a Christian, do it. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 5:7:

7 casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.

This is not a license for you to do whatever you want that is contrary to the desires of JESUS but it is for you to confess, repent and live the victorious Christian life. Cast your burdens upon the LORD. JESUS has already won every case and you have the victory. When you give your burden and case to JESUS, it takes the burden from you. It places it upon JESUS Who is the power Who pleads your case in the Spiritual realm. GOD loves you and desires for you to live victorious. The Devil/Satan wants you to live a defeated life by not trusting JESUS or GOD.

Let’s read Ephesians 2:4-6:

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Consider this, as Christians – When JESUS died, HE gave HIS life to pay the penalty for our sin, in full, for all who will place their faith in HIM. HIS death opened the pathway to GOD for every person upon earth but each person must accept the fact that HE gave HIS life for their sin. We do not have to understand it but to accept it as GOD’S free gift for all to receive redemption from sin and its consequence, eternal death.

JESUS gave HIS Life for all who will accept HIM as their Savior. When we accept JESUS as our Savior, Spiritual miracles take place in an instant: Our sins are forgiven; we died with JESUS; When JESUS was buried, we were buried with HIM; When GOD raised JESUS from among the physically dead, GOD raised us as well; GOD not only raised us from the physically dead, HE seated us with JESUS in the heavenly realm.

I do not understand this but I rejoice that it is true and will be a reality when I exit my earth suit/human body.

As Christians, we are already in heaven and seated next to JESUS. We are waiting for GOD to call us from our earthly duty to our permanent home in Heaven. I believe, when a Christian dies, he or she never experiences the death of his or her human body. The Apostle Paul wrote that to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8:

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

When GOD calls us home, the human body is no longer needed. Christians immediately find themselves in their Spiritual body which GOD has created for them. That transition is seamless.

Consider the caterpillar and its 4-stage transition from egg to a butterfly. It goes through seamless stages until it immerges from the cocoon as a beautiful butterfly.  Does it cease to be a caterpillar as it is transformed into a beautiful butterfly? No! Its transitional phases are seamless as it is being perfected. Once a person surrenders his or her life to JESUS, it is the beginning of a transitional phase for the perfecting of his or her life through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:22-24:

22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Christians are to take off their old life and put on their new life. It is like taking off your old clothes and putting on your new clothes or shedding the cocoon. 

This process is called sanctification and is a Spiritual transformation to be made “Saint like” or set aside for use by GOD.

JESUS was baptized by John the Baptist, as recorded in Matthew 3:16-17:

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;

17 and behold, a voice from heaven (GOD) said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

At the start of JESUS’ ministry, HE was baptized and confirmed by GOD as HIS beloved Son.

Following JESUS’ baptism, HE was led up to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the Devil. JESUS had been baptized at the river but led from the river up to the barren wilderness area. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Matthew 4:1-4:

The Temptation of Jesus

1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.

2 After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry.

3 Then the tempter approached Him and said, "If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."

“If” can also be read as “since.” Since YOU are the Son of GOD then demonstrate YOUR power; prove Yourself. If JESUS had been tricked into proving the point, HE would have sinned and been rendered unacceptable to pay, in full, for the sin of mankind. JESUS does not have to resort to some demonstration but to the power of GOD’S Word “It is written:” That is why it is important for Christians to know GOD’S Word. GOD’S Word comes directly from GOD, the source, and it is more powerful than a two-edged sword.

JESUS did not have to prove Himself to Satan because HE had already been confirmed by GOD at HIS baptism. This holds true for the remaining temptations.

4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Verse 1: JESUS was led up to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted. This was the beginning of HIS ministry. GOD allowed HIS Son to be tempted. GOD does not tempt us but HE can allow us to be tempted to test us and repair when problems are revealed. This is GOD’S way of preparing us for obedient service. 

After 40 days and 40 nights without food, JESUS was hungry. The Devil’s first attack was JESUS’ human/physical needs and HIS Spiritual calling.

The Devil approached JESUS and communicated with HIM. We are no different. The Devil/Satan knows each of us and gives us notions. The Devil/Satan targets all Christians and communicates with them by urging them to take matters into their own hands. Here, we have to be careful. Yes, Christians are to take action but when matters get beyond our ability, we must seek GOD’S wisdom.

Christians must discern the voice and leadership of the Holy Spirit versus the voice and leadership of the deceiver, the Devil/Satan.

Why? GOD wants Christians to know the voice of GOD. HE wants us to know that JESUS was tempted to test HIM. Christians will be tempted from two sources. If Christians are lured from under GOD’S protective canopy by their own desires, then they are subject to attack. Christians must keep in mind 

1 Corinthians 10:13:

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

The Devil attacked JESUS based upon HIS physical need, as a human, to stay alive. HE was 100% human. JESUS was hungry. JESUS had to trust GOD to provide for HIS physical needs but the Devil was urging Him to take matters into HIS hands after all HE was GOD’S Son.

Here is where the Devil/Satan does his best work, that is to get you to doubt GOD.

As we read earlier, JESUS had been baptized and GOD spoke and confirmed JESUS as HIS beloved Son. JESUS was hungry, which revealed HIS humanness.

I can imagine that the Devil was filling the mind of JESUS with all sorts of messages in an effort to get JESUS to take matters in HIS hands. If HE had HE would have sinned. That is exactly what Satan wanted HIM to do.

Did Satan whisper to JESUS: “Remember You are GOD’S Son and You have the power to keep Yourself alive to carry out GOD’S plan. Do you see any food in this desolate place? GOD would have never equipped You with power unless HE wanted You to use it to keep You alive. You are going to die and that will terminate GOD’S plan for Your life! You don’t want that to happen, do You? Failure is not an option. But You have the power to do something about Your hunger, turn these stones into bread. Just look at them, they look like the bread Your mother bakes. Oh, don’t You remember that wonderful aromatic, warm bread she would take out of the oven. GOD will be very proud of You! Do it!”

JESUS’ response must be our response when we are tempted, “Quote scripture!” As I have written many times, people who are struggling with addictions carry verses of scripture with them to quote when cravings arise. 

The same is true when the Devil comes slithering into our lives with lies, which sound or look like truth.

Satan does not want you to be free of cravings or temptations or to trust GOD. Satan is intent to destroy you. DO NOT BELIEVE SATAN’S LIES. YOU ARE PRECIOUS TO GOD AND HIS DESIRE IS FOR YOU TO LIVE AND ENJOY THE ABUNDANT LIFE THAT CAN ONLY COME THROUGH JESUS.

JESUS quoted Deuteronomy 8:3b:

3 He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then He gave you manna to eat, which you and your fathers had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

This refers back to the time the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years but GOD provided for all of their needs. We must learn to trust GOD because HE will provide for our needs.

Let’s read Matthew 4:5-7:

5 Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,

6 and said to Him, "If (since) You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, and, they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. "

The temple was the highest point. It was the place where GOD resided. JESUS standing on top of the pinnacle of the temple placed both the Devil and JESUS higher than GOD. Again, the Devil challenged JESUS to prove Himself by quoting scripture. The Devil is slick. He quoted scripture but he did not include the proper application of the scripture. If GOD will send HIS angels to protect you from stumping your toe, you know HE will come to your aid if you jump off the pinnacle of the temple.

The Devil took his information found in Psalm 91:11-12:

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Satan puts a twist on truth. This protection is not for Christians who put themselves in harm’s way to test GOD versus GOD’S protection of Christians who are obediently traveling though life’s journey; this scripture acknowledges GOD’S protection but with provisions.

7 Jesus told him, "It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God."

JESUS picked up the fact that Satan wanted JESUS to test GOD and HIS protective care. The Devil/Satan wants us to get GOD to prove Himself.

I remember in my early years, I wanted GOD to prove Himself to me. But every proof I could think of, I could also think of a physical way that could be accomplished without it being GOD. It was only when I yielded my life to JESUS did I KNOW the reality of JESUS and GOD. Awesome!

That does not mean that I have not struggled at times with what GOD was doing in my life. In the long run, HE always revealed that HE was teaching me. 

There was one thing for sure; I never doubted my salvation. Regardless of where I was Spiritually, I knew that I was GOD’S Son and JESUS was my Savior.

JESUS quoted Deuteronomy 6:16:

16 Do not test the Lord your God as you tested [Him] at Massah.

Let’s read Matthew 4:8-11:

8 Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

9 And he said to Him, "I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me."

10 Then Jesus told him, "Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him."

11 Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him.

The Devil/Satan is a liar and the father of lies. He changed the vantage point from the temple to a high mountain. It was like the Devil saying, “Okay, let’s be practical. You don’t need to suffer. Look, “I am the ruler of this world all you have to do is just flex your knee and worship me and all these kingdoms are Yours.” What he offered to JESUS was not his to give. All belongs to GOD. GOD is in control of all; the world, kingdoms, heavens and universe. 

Oh, Satan does rule upon earth but he does not control eternity. The Devil is condemned to Hell.

The Devil/Satan offered JESUS a short cut. Religion offers short cuts to true repentance such as “If you do so and so or give money to a cause, GOD will forgive you.” GOD cannot be bought. As Christians, we are to confess our sins, repent (stop doing it) and trust GOD to forgive, to cleanse and to restore because of our faith in JESUS. (First John 1:9)

The Devil/Satan often offers short cuts that always lead to destruction. Do not compromise and be led to travel down the wrong path. Trust JESUS to lead you in the path HE chooses for you.

JESUS spoke these words as recorded in John 14:6:

6 Jesus told him (Thomas), "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Do not be misled. There is only one way to Heaven and that is through faith in JESUS CHRIST.

In this third event, JESUS, again, quoted scripture in response to the Devil’s offer as recorded in Deuteronomy 6:13:

13 Fear the Lord your God, worship Him, and take [your] oaths in His name.

GOD is jealous and does not share as recorded in Deuteronomy 5:9:

9 You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,

Satan desires to be GOD and does all he can to appear to be as GOD and as “an angel of light.” We must keep in mind that he is a deceiver and a liar. His one objective is to seek and destroy you as a Christian and to prevent the non-Christians from seeking salvation through faith in JESUS.

Do not become a victim of Satan. Give your heart to JESUS. If you are already a Christian and are not living as GOD desires for you to live, then confess it. 

So what is the battle plan? Study GOD'S Word, the Bible and know the truth of what GOD is revealing. Test all things against HIS Word and lean upon the fact that JESUS has won the victory. So live in the power and victory which JESUS has won. Suit up each day, stand firm and PRAY!

As a Christian, acknowledge JESUS as your advocate and place your burdens and struggles into HIS hands. When you do, leave them in HIS hands. Rejoice that JESUS will plead your case before GOD in the presence of Satan in Heaven. JESUS has never lost a case and never will. Your burden will be taken when you give it to JESUS. HIS power will sustain, comfort and assure you. Breathe a sigh of relief because JESUS is your advocate.  Enjoy the fresh air of Spiritual freedom and rejoice. As a Christian, when the Devil/Satan whispers to you, tell him to talk to your advocate, JESUS. Blessings!!!