Warriors Arise: June 21, 2021
Matthew 4:5-6 (NKJV) Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
The tempter had probably enticed many Hebrews, Pharisees, Sadducees, Priests and High Priests over the years. He could play ball with Scripture. How many times had people tried to use Scripture to keep him away, block the confusion he threw at them or grab for hope when he painted such a dismal picture of their life? Just because Jesus quoted Scripture it didn't mean He was the Son of God. Even his demons knew Scripture, that didn't make them less of a demon. I have come across a few people who know Scripture but they do not know God. They know about Him, like I know about Michael Jordan but I have never spoken to Michael Jordan. I have never seen him in person nor in action on the court. I know some facts about Michael Jordan. Just because Jesus quoted Scripture that was no proof He was the Son of God. He still wanted Jesus to prove Himself.
Honestly, when you think about it, the tempter should have known Jesus, because He did not fall prey to his temptations. He didn't try to prove who He was. He didn't try to explain who He was. He didn't get angry and rebuke Him for causing the rebellion. He didn't try to defend His Father. He didn't boast in the power of the Holy Spirit who was now with Him. These facts alone should have caused the tempter to know who Jesus was.
Think about how you and I act when we are questioned. Think about what you say when you feel like you have to defend yourself. Think about when someone gives you their authority and you try to assert it because you are being challenged. When we, human as we are, find ourselves being challenged to prove who we are, our talent and authority we struggle to remain calm, cool, and collected. We get upset that our authority has been questioned. We get bothered that we have been disrespected when we tell them who we are. We can get vicious with our words, saying more than needs to be said, things that do not even apply to the person questioning us. But Jesus, He did not get bothered by the tempter. He let the tempter take a swing and then He sidestepped the blow. Jesus didn't show Himself to be the least bit frazzled nor did He scoff at the tempter for his attempts.
I am surprised the tempter, satan, didn't recognize Jesus by His character. I am astonished that satan could not longer sense the presence of the Holy Spirit. He had been away from heaven so long his heavenly knowledge was dormant. His heart had been poisoned for thousands of years and he couldn't recognize Jesus responding with such grace, coolness and authority. But Jesus wasn't going to tell him anything he didn't need to know. So, if he couldn't figure it out for himself then He wasn't going to help him.
Sometimes we help the enemy. We engage when we shouldn't engage. We say more than what needs to be said. We let our pride overflow. We feel God needs defended. We feel we need to be respected as God' child. Whatever the reason, when we respond it doesn't need to be based on what we feel. Our response needs to be based on what God has said. When the enemy comes, we are to listen for God's voice and speak only what He says. We are to remember who we are is determined by what God has said not words from another.
Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV) For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Jesus, as man, was tempted by satan himself; yet, Jesus did not sin. We encounter the temptation from satan as well. Jesus can identify with the hounding and badgering the enemy gives to us, because He experienced it also. He overcame every temptation. He did not sin. He became our sacrifice so we would have an Advocate.
1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV) My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
When we are tempted, we can remember, so was Jesus. I don't know if I have been tempted by satan, face to face, like Jesus was, but I have been tempted. Most of the time I am tempted by my flesh in some way. However, I do not have to allow myself to be so weak that I am overtaken by the temptation. I can remember Jesus, as a man, was tempted and He overcame every temptation. When you are being tempted, remember Jesus is your Advocate. He went before you. He overcame every temptation the enemy threw at Him. We can have the same victory in Christ Jesus.
Father, I am so thankful for Jesus. He willingly stepped into flesh and laid down HIs diety to be our sacrifice for our sins. Before He was nailed to the cross, he faced the enemy and overcame every temptation thrown at Him. When I am tempted, I ask for You to remind me of what Jesus went through for me. I want to overcome temptation as it is thrown at me. I want to live in the fullness of Your power to thwart the plans of the enemy and advance the kingdom of heaven here on earth. You are my God and I will love You all of my days. Jesus is my Advocate and I will remember what He did to overcome temptation and draw strength to keep my mind on You and all You have for me to do. I will not fall prey to the enemy because You have led by example and shown me how to overcome the enemy in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
Comments