Topic: Spiritual War
"Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
"Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
"Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (Matthew 4:8-11 KJV)
Interestingly, the third temptation of Jesus is placed second in Luke's account (Luke 4:5-8). I prefer the last temptation as in Matthew's account. Why is that? That's what Satan really wanted from Jesus. Satan wants to be worshipped by God. In Isaiah 14:13-14, he addressed five wills:
- I will ascend into heaven
- I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
- I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
- I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
- I will be like the most High.
Yet, he will end up in Hell (Isaiah 14:15). Satan's method of attacking humans' minds is the same as he used in Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and Jesus. Every time he attacked Jesus, Jesus would use Scripture to counterattack him. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
We have been covering various aspects of spiritual warfare, from Adam and Eve, Job, David, and Jesus. I hope this series will help us be prepared when things get difficult. God knows that we are not perfect, but He guides us when difficulties arise.
