The Perfect Defense...

In last Friday’s blog post I talked about Jesus’ response to each of the enemy’s three temptations while He was in the desert. (See “Emergency Preparation Kits” – 1/10/13)  While studying this section of scripture a little deeper over the weekend and again this morning, I realized that the devil attacked the Lord in three distinct areas.

I Thessalonians 5:23 tells us that we are made up of three parts, spirit, soul and body and it was in each of these areas that Jesus was tempted.  Luke 4:2 informs us that Jesus was very hungry and probably weak from a lack of food after not eating for forty days.  So where does the enemy of our souls zero in on?  You got it!  Right at the physical need that Jesus’ body was crying out for!  (Luke 4:3-4)  Like Jesus, the first place that the devil attacks for many of us is in the natural realm of our body.

After Jesus warded off this attack with the truth of God’s Word on the subject, the enemy tried another door!  He took Jesus up on a mountain top and showed Him all the splendor of the kingdoms of the world and promised Him all of it… if Jesus would worship him. (Luke 4:5-8)  In this temptation the devil went to work on Jesus’ emotions of pride, self-worth and self- importance. 

Similarly today, how many times do we read of the collapse of large corporations due to the lust for wealth and power within the leaders of industry?  Have you ever been tempted to make not so good decisions based on the potential of easy money, acclaim or of self- importance in the eyes of those around you?  I know I have!  But the key to quickly casting aside those thoughts is to respond as Jesus did by knowing the Word and speaking out and standing accordingly!

When the first two attacks failed to move Jesus, the enemy thought that he would use the same lie that he had used on the residents of the Garden of Eden.  After all it worked on the first Adam, why not on the second Adam?  He even tried to confuse Jesus and mis-quoted some scripture in support of his attack.  Well, was he in for a surprise.  Jesus was not about to fall into his trap!  When the devil tried to get Jesus to doubt and thereby test His trust in God, Jesus had enough!  He firmly told the Tempter the correct facts of His Father’s Word and the devil took off with his tail between his legs! (Luke 4:9-13)

I would imagine that the look of resolve, confidence and authority that must have been in Jesus’ eyes and body language also helped to seal His point and cause the enemy to know that his meeting with Jesus was officially over!  Is that the way that the enemy of our souls reacts when he tries to tell you a lie or two?  Like I have said before, he is smart and will try and hit us in our weakest spot, be it in our spiritual life, in our bodies or in an emotional moment.

And just like in a court of law, our strongest defense is always a good argument!  An argument that is solely based on our fearless and steadfast trust in the unshakable truth of God’s Word!  That’s why it is good for us to stay on a steady diet of the Word!  It is also good to memorize it and thereby have it in you for those unexpected times when the devil tries to come into our lives through a side door!

I was thinking about this last week while on the phone to various benefits advisors discussing my wife’s needs.  They always ask for her Social Security number and other forms of ID and I have never been able to memorize the information, except for her birthday!  (Thank God!)  She on the other hand, always had a terrific memory and had memorized not only her own information but my Social Security number, driver’s license and just about every other vital piece of information about me!  I finally got smart a few years back and wrote down all her vital info so I could have it all in one location!

When it came to the Word, Piper was no different.  She knew the importance of memorizing the Word and did so without fail.  She also made it a point to teach our kids the importance of this action.  Now as we continue to feast on the Word, it becomes more than just memorized facts, but the very life-blood of our daily walk in this world!

Jesus’ example as the enemy of our souls attacks the three areas of our existence is one of those important lessons to immediately put into use in our lives!  Whether it be in our spirit, soul or body, the Word of God has and is the answer!  That makes it kinda simple doesn’t it?  Then why do we spend so much time filling up on everything else except the Word?  Hummmm… something to consider, wouldn’t you say?

Have a great week!  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What am I expecting today?”