How to overcome Satan's attacks using God's Word
The best example of how to face temptation is found in the temptation of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew 4, we see the perfect techniques and tools to defeat every Satanic attack. Jesus was tempted in three ways — physical provision, distortion of Scripture, and shortcuts to power — and He defeated each one with the Word of God.
We are constantly being tempted to walk away from the plan of God for our lives — into sin, into evil, or into distractions that are neither bad nor good, just things that will keep us from the path the Lord wants us to walk.
As unbelievers, Satan's temptations focus on keeping us away from the Gospel message, so we never hear the truth, because we are too busy with other things. Once we are believers, Satan knows he cannot stop us reaching heaven, but he can rob us of rewards and ministry.
Matthew 4:3-4 — "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
Jesus faced his first temptation in the physical realm — the desire to meet a physical need outside of the plan of God for him. The test was to trust the Father for provision of the basics of life within His plan, rather than inappropriately use power.
Principle: Believers are often tempted to use the wrong means to do the right thing. We are to use the right means to achieve godly ends, and walk only in obedience to the Word of God in all things.
Deuteronomy 8:3 — "And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live."
Matthew 4:5-7 — "Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
The second temptation centred in the distortion of the scriptures. Satan quotes Psalms 91:11-12, but does so out of context. It is never right to deliberately put yourself in danger just to claim a promise of scripture, for such promises only operate within the Lord's will, not in areas you have placed yourself at a whim!
Jesus responds to the temptation with the appropriate use of scripture.
Psalm 91:11-12 — "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."
Deuteronomy 6:16 — "Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah."
Deuteronomy 17:4 — "And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel."
Principle: Satan can quote Scripture, but he always twists it. We must know the Word of God correctly to detect his lies and respond with truth in proper context.
Matthew 4:8-10 — "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
The third temptation was to short cut the Father's plan by gaining power and authority another way than God ordained. Once again, we see that all temptation centres in the plan of God and the Satanic strategy to get you away from the plan any way he can.
Satan has always asked, "Why wait? — have it now!" Impatience is always a major distraction from truth. The plan calls for patience, and an attitude of faith and trust. Satan works with instant satisfaction, which is, of course, no satisfaction at all.
Deuteronomy 6:13 — "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."
In all three temptations, Jesus responded with the same phrase: "It is written." He quoted Scripture accurately and in context. The Word of God is our offensive weapon against Satan's attacks.
Ephesians 6:17 — "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Hebrews 4:12 — "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Don't use wrong means to achieve right ends. Trust God to provide what you need in His timing and in His way.
Philippians 4:19 — "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Matthew 6:33 — "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Satan can quote Scripture, but he twists it. We must know God's Word well enough to recognize when it is being misused and respond with correct interpretation.
2 Timothy 2:15 — "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
2 Peter 3:16 — "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."
Satan always offers instant satisfaction. God's plan requires patience, faith, and trust. Don't take shortcuts that lead you out of God's will.
Isaiah 40:31 — "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
Psalm 27:14 — "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
James 1:2-4 — "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
1 Corinthians 10:13 — "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
God promises that no temptation is beyond what we can bear, and He always provides a way out. We must look for His way of escape and take it.
James 4:7 — "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
1 Peter 5:8-9 — "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
When we submit to God and resist the devil using God's Word, Satan must flee. Stand firm in faith.
Jesus shows us how to overcome every temptation:
The Word of God is our weapon. When we face temptation, we respond like Jesus: "It is written."