SATAN’S BOX OF TRICKS

“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” ~ Matthew 4:8

REFERENCE:

Matthew 4:1-11

Jesus had an exceptional spiritual encounter at His baptism in the Jordan river. The Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, and the voice of God spoke from heaven to affirm His Sonship. He proceeded to a secluded desert to be with God alone, but satan soon came to tempt Him.

Satan saw a great destiny and the liberation of millions in Jesus. The best way to sabotage that was to assail him with various lusts to tempt Him to fall. Just as sea pirates only go after loaded vessels, satan’s fiercest temptations are directed at people who embody greatness and to whom God commits the destinies of others. If you notice excessive assaults and attacks on your life, satan is attempting to stop something. Do not let him; stand up and fight for your future.

Satan tempted Jesus in three ways: a. The lust of the flesh (turn stone into bread; satisfy Your hunger). b. The pride of life (throw Yourself down from here and show off the angelic host at Your command). c. Lust of the eyes (I will give you all these kingdoms and their wealth). Sometimes, opportunities to satisfy your cravings will confront you – to take something meant for one thing and use it for another. You will feel a strong urge to boast and show off what you have or can do. You will feel a need to prove a point to someone lower than you in class. Lastly, the things you see on social media, the display of wealth, e.tc., would soon call you to jettison your faith, and do everything you can to have a slice of their ‘paradise.’

Satan has a box full of tricks and various crafty strategies to tempt men to fall. If one does not work, he will deploy another. Stay alert and be watchful. Stay in the word of God, and refuse to be isolated from other believers; do not fall for the voice that tells you to tell no one about your struggles, that you can handle them alone. Satan came to Jesus in His place of seclusion; the good thing is that Jesus did not remain there; He later surrounded Himself with His disciples.

Do not think that because you won satan in one way, he will not come in another way entirely different from what you just handled. He has different tricks and strategies. So, stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit; there is nothing the devil comes up with that He does not have the weapon to counter. He will help you to beat the devil at his game, and with every test, promote you in the school of power just as Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee (Luke 4:13-14).

PHOTO QUOTE:

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

I Corinthians 10:13, Ephesians 6:11-12, and II Corinthians 11:3

PRAYERS:

+ Lord, may I not fall victim to satan’s many strategies to tempt and make men fall.

+ I declare that I have victory in every battle of life. satan will never take advantage of me.

+ By faith, I put on the whole armor of God, that I may stand victorious in the evil day.