The devil had been tempting Jesus for forty days in the wilderness. He aimed right for Jesus’ felt need of physical hunger. He had been fasting the whole time.
That is also how the devil tempts us. He targets our vulnerable or weak places. We need to learn this essential principle for our own spiritual warfare.
We have the same weapon that Jesus used to defeat each temptation the devil threw at him. It is God’s written word. As we hide it in our hearts through memorizing and meditating on it, we build a reservoir of strategic truths to be used in our times of vital need.
Let me give an example from my own life. I was in a hard trial of waiting. My house had been for sale, and the new owner was about to take possession. But I still didn’t have a new place to live! There were literally no open doors. I had to put everything in storage, and stay with a friend.
I used this verse as my weapon. “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from him” (Psalm 62:5 NKJV). The temptation to take matters into my own hands was strong, but I would declare, “Lord, I will wait for you! Show me your way through.” He opened a door four days before the sale was finalized.
Almighty God, there is no one like you. There is no one your equal. I am so grateful that your timing is impeccable. I know that you are in control at all times. All I need to do is to keep my eyes on you, and set my heart to trust no matter how impossible my circumstances seem to me.
Throughout this day: Spend some time considering an area of temptation or struggle you face. Search out a scripture passage that applies, and begin memorizing it, asking God to help you remember and use it when temptation comes your way.
Photo Credit: Vitaly Gariev