Defeating Satan is a task we must face as Christians. The Gospel teaches us that we win in the end, but how do we manage the battles before the final victory? In launching my church’s 40 Days of Prayer, we looked at how Jesus won when Satan tempted. It should be noted that Jesus being tired and exhausted and also available to be tempted was a mission from God. This informs us of Jesus’ apt words to us in in prayer “and lead us not into temptation.”

Be well rested

Satan looks for and finds the weak spot. He attacks when and where we are vulnerable. Avoidance is often the best way to protect against calamity. Taking care of our physical well being is critical and helps avoid moments of temptation. Sadly enough pastors have fallen in ministry. A clear common factor is when one was tired. God allowed Jesus to be at the brink of what His humanity could take before being tempted. This allowed for a demonstration that Jesus was and is perfect, without sin. This also allowed Jesus to be our great high priest who is able to sympathize with our weakness because He went through what we go through. It also allowed Jesus to demonstrate how to win.

Just say no

When Satan first tempted Jesus, his first response was to say no. Both Paul and Peter instruct us to resist the Devil, and he will flee. As Christians we are quick to flee when life is hard and not fair, but there is an element of standing our ground. Especially when it is dealing with people. Should be noted that at the end of Jesus’ teaching on prayer He deals with how we deal with conflict. Spiritual attacks are often human encounters. Say no to Satan because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. People are not the enemy, though there is often a human side to the equation. Others have their battles too.

Use Scripture

Jesus then uses the Scriptures to combat Satan. He had the authority to stop Satan, as Jesus is fully God, but instead chose to utilize the Sword of the Spirit, as Paul describes the Scriptures. Satan also uses Scripture, and often out of context or incomplete. As fully God and fully man, Jesus submitted to the Scriptures to stop what Satan was trying to do. This is why it is critical we spend time soaking up God’s Word so we know how to use it when temptation approaches. 

Trust God

Waiting on God is the hardest work of the Christian. We do not know if God if He will allow the disaster to happen. Faith, taking God at His Word, is critical to defeating Satan. When Jesus mentioned how the Scriptures say “you shall not test the Lord your God,” He is pointing to our need to trust God. God tests us often. He disciplines us. All of this is to give hope. Hence James tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials.

God Restores

The promise of restoration comes after the challenges we face, whether trial, temptation, or life. In avoiding conflict or challenges, in tapping out or quitting we rob ourselves of the restoration and peace at the other side of the storm. God uses the hardness of life to mold us into the image of His Son. We dislike testing, but the testing produces in us Christ likeness. It shows us how far we’ve come, how far we have to go, and sometimes how we have victory in that area of our life. Time for the next challenge. But with the trials there is also the promise of restoration. God will restore us after the storm. God leads us to trails, is with us in trials, and restores us after.

Weapons of war

God gives us four potent weapons to resist Satan: Repentance, which is turning to pursue God in humility and teachability with love. Scripture, which shows us how to pray, act, and be. Other Christians, when we lock shields together to deflect the flaming darts of the evil one. Finally, prayer, the most potent of them all, where we call in air support from the One who controls all things. These weapons are effective but can be neglected. Repentance will avoid temptation. Scripture will equip to handle it. Making attendance a priority for Church things allows others to help you. The work of prayer gives you the victory and the strength to endure.

Trust God with 2024

2024 will no doubt gives us trials and temptations. God may lead us to trials, but He will also be with us in them, and restore us after. Trust God with your year. Ask Him to not lead you into temptation. But should hard assignments occur, follow the example we see in Jesus. In the meantime, make it a priority to know how to use well the weapons God gives and the assurance we have of victory in Jesus. In the end we win, so fight like the champion you are.