Can you relate to just wanting a break from satan’s relentless temptations and taunts? Do you ever feel like you could really use a break from his constant reminders of the pain you have suffered because of your past failures or someone else’s?

Me too! It drives me crazy when I’m having a great day and suddenly a thought enters my head and sends me into a dark and difficult place. And it’s just as frustrating when he puts one right in front of me and I give in yet again!

But it helps me to remember that Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted. The enemy used the same enticements he uses to tempt us: 1. physical need and desires, 2. possessions and power, and 3. pride. (Life Application Bible Notes)

Jesus knows what it’s like to be fully human and tempted but Jesus didn’t sin! He resisted temptation with the “Sword of the Spirit.”

…take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17 (NCV)

Three times Jesus responded with the words…

“The Scriptures say.”

Matthew 4:4,7,10

This is one of the reasons I love reading and studying Scripture.

I can’t make use of the greatest weapon in the arsenal God has given us if I don’t arm myself. I want to know God’s will and discern His truth. I want to be armed and ready.

Do you know what Jesus did after He defeated the enemy?

He began to minister to others, preaching, teaching, and healing:

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Matthew 4:17

He called people to turn from their sins, giving up selfishness and stubbornness to follow God’s will by obeying His directives and commands.

I’ve learned something precious as I’ve turned to the Bible over the past decade and a half. Through Jesus, God not only blesses us with the promise of eternal life in heaven . . . He blesses us with freedom, peace, hope, strength, and love each day. And He blesses us with everything we need to release the past and embrace a future filled with hope.

I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

The Lord is true to every promise . . . will you pray with me and thank Him for giving us all we need to fight the enemy?

A Prayer to Fight the Enemy When You Are Tempted

Father, I thank and praise You for Your Word and for making it possible for me to know Jesus.

Jesus, thank you for experiencing humanity in its fullness . . . for allowing yourself to be tempted, to feel pain, to know rejection and encounter the demands and pressures life with people. Thank you for showing me how to live through life’s challenges with wisdom, power, grace, and love—how to trust God’s will and fight the enemy. Thank you for all you have done for me! I love you, Lord. Help me faithfully trust and obey You.

Friend, it’s a great blessing to know that Jesus understands our weaknesses.

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.

Hebrews 4:15

He has given us what we need to fight the enemy whenever we are tempted.

On today’s post-it note write:

By God’s grace, I have everything I need to fight the enemy.

May you be blessed as you fight the enemy with God’s Word today. You can read all of Matthew 4 here.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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