Tuesday, 24th January 2023
Pastor Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: DEALING WITH THE DEVIL PT.1
THEME SCRIPTURE: Matthew 4:1-2
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What does the devil want from the child of God?
- How can we withstand the wiles of the devil?
Every believer has five levels of relationship – our relationship with the Father, the world, the self, other believers and the devil. Understanding your relationship with the devil is important to dealing with him. From time to time, he tries to come around us to seek an opportunity to take advantage of us. But thanks be to God that we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Cor 2:11).
In the garden of Eden, the devil came to Eve as an enemy yet he did not come to fight. He came for a conversation. This is because, the devil’s warfare against God’s people is not in the boxing ring but in the battlefield of our minds. If the devil can cease control of your mind, he can control your entire life.
Precious One, it doesn’t matter who you are and how spiritual you are, from time to time, the devil will visit to have a conversation. You may not see him with your optical eyes, but his voice will come in the form of thoughts, ideas, etc. dropping into your mind.
After fasting for 40 days and nights, Jesus received a visit from the devil purposely to tempt Him through conversation (Matt 4:2-3).
The reason the devil comes for a conversation with the believer is that he is always looking for an entrance into our lives, to cease control. And his first attempt to cease control of your life is to test for ignorance. Thus, how much do you know of God’s word and what don’t you know. With Eve, he asked her whether indeed God has said it – that you shouldn’t eat of all the trees in the garden (Gen 3:1)? How can God ban Adam and Eve from eating any of the fruits? The devil loves to present what God has said upside down to find out whether we know the truth. The devil found out that the truth of God Eve was holding was not whole (Gen 3:3).
With Jesus, the first temptation of the devil focused on pride/ ego (acting independent of God’s word) – Matt 4:3. Jesus used scriptures on humility and dependence on God’s word to rebuke him (Deut 8:3). The devil tries the second time. This time on ignorance – how well does Jesus know or understand the Scriptures (Matt 4:5-6). Jesus rebuked him with the right understanding of scripture (Matt 4:7). Finally, the devil tested Jesus’ appetite for glory (power and fame) – Matt 4:8-9. Jesus’ appetite was to serve God (Matt 4:10) and not to wield power or fame.
Precious One, how rich is the word of God in you? How much time do you spend searching God’s word, and meditating on it? Do you give yourself wholly to it?
We can pray for hours yet when the devil visits he will test our knowledge of God’s word. This is why it is important that in your quiet moments reflect on God’s word. When you are in transit – either going home or to work – meditate on God’s word. As you meditate on the word of God daily, the same word will become flesh and dwell within you richly (Col 3:16). Anytime the devil shows up, you will be ready for him. The right scriptures, with the right understanding, will bubble up within you to counter every challenge the devil will throw at you.
This year, there’s no day you are missing out on the word of God. You are consistently building yourself by the word, to withstand every wile of the devil, in Jesus’ Precious Name. Glory to God.
FURTHER READING – Colossians 3:16; Mathew 4:1-10
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- What new plans are you going to make to ensure that you don’t miss your fellowship with God’s word this year?
CONFESSION
In Jesus’ Precious Name, I acknowledge that God’s word is the power of God against demonic enterprises at all times. The word of God is continuously providing light and guidance to my life. I have received grace this day to be consistent in fellowshipping with the word of God. And this year, I am seeing my path shinning brighter and brighter because His word is indwelling me richly. Hallelujah!
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Genesis 39; Genesis 40; Psalm 44; Matthew 26
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