“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days… [and] he was hungry. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.’ And Jesus answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone.”’ And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, ‘To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written,
“You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.”’
“And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you,
to guard you,”
and
“On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.”’
“Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”’ When the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:1-13
Satan attacked the hungry Jesus in what he deemed His vulnerable places, but in exquisite defense, Jesus proved He had none. Both knew scripture: the devil quoted it for trickery, while Jesus held it as His sword of defense and correction. The devil attempted word manipulation for his own ends; Jesus spoke it as the end itself. Every temptation touched on an area piqued by pride, and the humble Son of God turned each back to confront the pompous deceiver in his plotting. His enticements turned to instruction for all. (Ephesians 6:13-17; 2 Timothy 3:16)
The devil pants and plots to undo us, taking every opportunity to attack our sense of importance and self-sufficiency. Our best offense against his onslaught is a strong defense, and the strongest defense is the word of God. Christ Jesus used biblical truth as a potent counterattack on the devil’s twisted usage. Unless we are stung in the ego and cave to arrogance, we can wield the word to put him in his defeated place.
Do we know the Word well enough? Do we trust God’s Spirit to bring appropriate truths to mind? What are we doing by way of scripture memorization and bold prayer to arm ourselves against the enemy’s relentless attacks? (Luke 21:15; John 8:44; 14:26; 1 Peter 5:8)
“And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!” ~Martin Luther (1529)
Lord, fortify me in Your word, for Your victorious renown.
As the rain and snow 