Temptations

“Be on your guard and stay awake.   Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack”.   I Peter 5:8  CEV

I have learned that Satan’s desire in tempting me is to destroy my will.   That is clearly revealed in his tempting Jesus.

Once Jesus had accepted the Father’s will at His baptism, that will was immediately put to the test in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11).     Each of the three temptations was carefully contrived to weaken Jesus’ grip on the will of His Father.   Once that grip is loosened, it is only a matter of time before the entire defense breaks down in sin.
Jesus was hungry and tired when Satan met Him in the desert.  The needs of the body are often used by Satan as the opening wedge for an attack on the will, whether the need is for food, rest or whatever.
We make a mistake, however, if we think that Satan will be satisfied merely to trip us up on a physical need; he is after our ‘free’ will.
The way we handle our body is only the symptom of our basic will commitment.   Satan does not try to capture symptoms; he is after the thing that creates the symptoms.
The answer to Satan’s approach through the body is a reaffirmation of our will.  

“Jesus' refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan!"  He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God, and only him.  Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."  Matt. 4:10 Message Bible  

There is decisiveness, finality in His response!

We can only be victorious over Satan and his temptations when we stand steadfast on our commitment to Jesus.

I am strengthened by the response of Nehemiah, when asked to compromise with the enemy, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (Neh. 6:3).

Four times the temptation came and four times Nehemiah reaffirmed his stance on God’s will for him.

So we must meet Satan head-on and send him away by determining to do God’s will and stick to it, regardless!

That is victory for Jesus and us!

“Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out”.  I Cor. 10:13 GNT