Scripture clearly warns and even shows us that there is not an end to temptation in this life. No matter what we try to do and what we avoid, the devil is always going to try to tempt us. So it is important that we understand how he works and what he will try to do to lead us astray so that we can defeat him. His first point of attack usually involves whatever our greatest weakness is at that moment.
The devil will take whatever it is that you struggle with and try to use it against you. The sin you still battle with, scars from the past, a temper you try to control, or the desires of your flesh. Whatever it is the devil will find a way to use it against you if he thinks it will cause you to sin against God.
This is exactly what satan did when he attempted to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus had just wrapped up a forty-day fast and the Bible says He was very hungry as you can imagine. Which opened the door for satan to come in and try to use this weakness against Him.
Matthew 4:2–3 (ESV)
2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”
Jesus did not give in to this temptation. Instead, He turned to His knowledge of scripture and pointed out His need for something greater than bread. Something that is able to sustain life far longer.
Matthew 4:4 (ESV)
4 But he answered, “It is written,
“ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
After hearing that response the devil moved on and tried to tempt Jesus with something else. Jesus knew that He was currently weak when it came to food but He also knew the perfect scripture to combat that weakness.
It’s important that we understand our weaknesses and know the scripture that speaks against and is able to combat them. Don’t cover up what you struggle with but realize what it is. Then prepare yourself to fight against it by knowing scripture and praying. Since the devil came to Jesus in a time that He was weak and tried to cause Him to sin. Then we must assume he will do the same to us.
Our weakness is always going to be one of the devil’s favorite weapons because it is the easiest place to start. But don’t think he will leave you alone when you don’t give in to his temptation. That not how it worked with Christ. The devil tried to tempt Him two more times before giving up. The devil still wasn’t done though. The Bible tells us that he was only going to leave Jesus alone for a time and would come back again to tempt Him.
Luke 4:13 (ESV)
13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.
Know what your weakness is in every situation so that you won’t give in when temptation comes. Because it is coming for every single Christian and more than likely it will come using whatever it is you struggle with the most. So prepare for when the tempter comes and be ready to take the escape path that God always offers His people.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Don’t write the message of this article off. The best way to overcome an adversary is to know their plan of attack. Thanks to scripture we know how the devil will come and what he will try to do to cause us to sin. Now we must take the time to figure out our personal weaknesses and know how to combat them.
Find the verses that speak to your struggle and store them in your mind and heart. So that you are always ready to pull them out when you need them to defend yourself. If it worked for the Lord it will work for us as well.
We truly hope this article has helped you to better understand how the devil will try to lead you astray. Help us to reach more people with this message by sharing this article on your social media. It only takes a second just click one of the social icons below. Thanks for your support and God Bless!
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