Scripture Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Memory Verse: Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11
Lesson Aim: To identify strategies for victory over the enemy’s attacks on our minds.
Key Points - We must recognize who the enemy is. - We must know God’s voice and be completely obedient to Him. - We must be full of the Holy Ghost and led of the Spirit. - We must put on the whole armor of God, understand and use the power of the Word.
Now that we are aware of the relentless assault on our minds by the enemy, what can we do to gain victory? The devil may come at us from any angle. He may attack us with fear, worry, apathy, deception, unbelief, temptation, rebellion, circumstances, disobedience, accusation, and slander. Since Jesus can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities and was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15), let us look at Jesus our example.
One of the key factors in the success of Jesus over the enemy was that He recognized who the enemy was. His vision was not obscured. He pinpointed the source. He knew exactly who He was doing combat with. He did not blame the church, His past, other people, the weather, or the government.
Second, Jesus knew God’s voice and was wholly sanctified unto the Father. He spent a lot of time with the Father, and He knew the purpose for which He was sent into the world. Jesus remained focused on His purpose and was holy and sinless to the very end.
Third, Jesus was also full of the Holy Ghost and led of the Spirit. Since He walked in the Spirit, He did not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. By walking in humility and obedience, He subjected His will to the will of the Father. He was obedient even to the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).
Finally, Jesus was fully armored. He was the Living Word and the Word made flesh, so He had remarkable skill at using the Word of God. Not only did He know what the Scripture said, but He understood the power of His Word. Jesus wasted none of His words. He made no jokes and never had to offer an apology. These four factors were critical elements in Jesus’ success. They worked for Jesus, and they will work for us today.
Questions and Discussion
- How did Satan appeal to Jesus and how did Jesus gain victory over him? List Satan’s approach and Jesus’ response. Matthew 4:1-10.
- We have identified four elements that dominated Jesus’ victory over Satan. How can we relate these to our battles?
- Knowing who the real enemy is.
- Knowing God’s voice and being obedient.
- Being full of the Spirit.
- Being fully armored.
- When Satan attempts to build strongholds in our mind what are some of the weapons we can use to foil his attempts?
Matthew 26:41; James 5:16
2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:11
Psalm 1:2-3; Joshua 1:8
Matthew 17:21; Isaiah 58:6
John 14:15; Isaiah 1:19
Ephesians 6:13-18