Christian Living

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It's time to stop running, stop being afraid, stop worrying, stop blaming, and stop being caught by surprise. As Christians, it's time that we use the power, wisdom, knowledge, gifts and the authority God gave us to recognize Satan for who and what he is, and claim the victory already given to us through Christ. So many things are happening in our lives right now, but there is a way to victory in every attack that Satan plots against us, but we've got to recognize and realize when he's setting us up for an attack. There is no reason, other than just not using your faith, power, wisdom, knowledge, and authority, to conquer every obstacle Satan puts in your way. God has given you all that you need, but it's up to you to use it and use it right.
The selected scripture starts out by saying: "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." This represents God allowing you to be put in a position for Satan to try you so that you may exercise the gifts, power, and authority He has given you to defeat Satan. Our trials, tribulations, problems, failures, disappointments, troubles, and heartaches are opportunities provided by God through the Spirit to gain strength, more power, more wisdom, and the ultimate victory in spiritual battle.
Then it goes on to say: "And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred." This represent the preparation for trial. You must always watch and pray, but every now and again, you need to fast. Make a sacrifice to God to purify yourself and to prepare you for battle.
"And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." This is to let you know that Satan knows your situation: he knows your weaknesses and when you're at your weakest point, and he takes advantage of that knowledge every chance he gets. He knew that Jesus was hungry, which is why he tempted him with bread, but Jesus was prepared and had an answer. When Satan boldly walks in your face, you need to have the sword of righteousness, which is the word of God, to let him know that you have a remedy for his efforts. The word is your weapon, and you cannot use it correctly if you don't study and use it on a regular basis.
Once you overcome a few simple obstacles, you'll find that Satan is persistent in his attack. He didn't give up right there but, he took Jesus up into the holy city, and set him in a pinnacle of the temple and told Him; "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash they foot against a stone." Jesus replied: "It is written again, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." See, Satan didn't give up, he tried something, which he does with us. If you win one battle, he calls for another, but if you're able to recognize Satan in spite of who and what he uses, you can defeat him at his every effort.
So, Satan didn't give up there, he went on to take Jesus on a mountain, and showed Him all of the kingdoms of the world, and the gory of them. He told Jesus that he would give Him all of these things if He fell down and worshipped him, but Jesus didn’t give in, He told Satan to get behind him, and what got Satan's attention was Jesus called him by name letting him know that He knew who he was. He said, "Get thee hence, Satan." Satan realized that Jesus had figured him out and he went running off.
Stop blaming people and situations; Satan is the author and creator of confusion and destruction. Let him know that you know he's setting you up. When you're in your home and the children go to acting a little crazy, or your wife or husband begins to walk contrary, recognize that Satan is using them to set you up to lose your temper and do or say something against the will of God. When your finances are running low, Satan is trying to make you doubt that there is prosperity in serving God. You are wiser than that; let him know that he can't set you up. Speak the scripture to him loudly, clearly, and boldly. Tell him like the three Hebrew boys said, "Even if He doesn't come, I know that He's still able." Satan even tries to set you up on your job. Have you ever been working as hard as you can, and somebody just dumps somebody else's work on you? If you are anything like I am, you don't feel too nicely about that. You have some things you would rather tell them than complete the assignments. After they leave your office, say, "Satan, you are setting me up, but I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." Sometimes your enemies may be attacking you on every side, talking about you, posting your name on every sign board, and just being a thorn in your side. Don't respond to their actions and words the way they desire you to, but acknowledge who's pulling their strings: Satan. "Satan, you are setting me up, but God will make my enemies my footstool, and no weapon formed against me shall prosper." The doctor may give you a bad report; don't feel sorry for yourself and lose sight of God's will. Tell him: "Satan, you are setting me up, but by Jesus' stripes, I am healed."
In every situation and under all circumstances, you've got to see Satan for what he is: a liar, thief, and murderer. He is simply evil, and he doesn't care who he uses and how he uses them. Let him know that you recognize him and you will fight back with the word of God and faith that God can and will deliver on time. When Satan is setting you up, God is raising you up to give you more strength, power, wisdom, and knowledge.

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