OVERCOMING TEMPTATIONS (3): KNOW WHAT IS WRITTEN
Back in the day, we watched quite some traditional movies. In those days, it was always a clash between good forces and evil forces. There is always a final battle between the two parties (if you know ‘Abija’ and ‘Fadeyi Oloro’ in Yoruba movies, you will understand this)
That final battle was a battle of words in incantations and declarations. When one speaks, you will see the other stagger and almost fall, but he gathers the strength to say, “God forbid,” and then counters whatever has been said.
Eventually, the battle of words goes on until the person who has no response falls to the ground defenceless and is, therefore, defeated.
In overcoming the devil and his tricks, you must also know what is written. You must have a working knowledge of the Word of God. Never allow the devil to have the final word; fire back a response immediately.
The Word of the Lord is not an under-the-pillow guard against the devil and his demons. It is not something you carry and wave like we used to see in movies. No! The Word of the Lord is potent and powerful. If you do not know what is written, you will live like a victim.
While the Psalmist was thinking about how a young man can keep his ways pure before the Lord, he came up with a potent solution:
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
Psalms 119:9-11 NKJV
When the devil fired his first salvo at the Lord Jesus Christ, he responded, “It is written.”
When the devil noticed that Jesus Christ was using the scripture as a defense, he decided to use the scripture to tempt him also. He turned his weapon into a temptation.
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
Matthew 4:5-6 NKJV
Jesus knew what the devil did and responded to him with scriptures again.
Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
Matthew 4:7 NKJV
Is the Word of God the first thing that comes to you when temptation knocks? Are you armed with the Word that your mind already begins to respond intuitively to the Word without processing it? If you do not build that resistance, you may end up as breakfast for the enemy. Study the Word. Meditate on it.
May we finish strong.
© temilOluwa Ola