A Clever Adversary
Satan is indeed a clever adversary.
Luke 4:1-4
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.’”
He preys upon our most basic needs and instincts - food, clothing, shelter, sex, the latest iPhone. He is constantly bombarding us with the pleasures of this world and even tempts us to want things that we don’t even need. We worship and chase after the almighty dollar. Satan is indeed a clever adversary.
Luke 4:5-8
And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
He also appeals to our sense of pride and power as we drive that Mercedes (which we really can’t afford) to impress our friends and neighbors and step on our co-workers to get that promotion.
Even the American dream of getting ahead is only an illusion perpetrated by Satan to distract us from living a life of sacrifice and servitude which is pleasing to the Father. Satan is indeed a clever adversary.
Luke 4:9-12
And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “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, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”
He even knows the Scriptures, twisting their meaning in an attempt to lead us astray. Satan is indeed a clever adversary.
Luke 4:13
When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
And even if he is not tempting or distracting us at this very moment he is always out there, waiting - waiting for the opportune moment.
So how can we defend ourselves against the onslaught of Satan’s tricks, temptations and distractions?
The answer is simple…
Acts 2:25 (International Standard Version)
since David says about Him, “I always keep my eyes on the Lord, for He is at my right hand so that I cannot be shaken.”
Psalms 119:15, 16 (English Standard Version)
I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
You and I must learn to keep our eyes focused on our Redeemer and learn His ways. As long as we look to Him and follow His example we will not be shaken. We will become blind to Satan’s deceptions and immune to his attacks.
So…
Are your eyes on the Lord?
Are your eyes fixed on His ways?
Or is the adversary too clever for you?
