When Jesus was about to enter into His ministry, He fasted for 40 days. During that time, the devil came to test Him. The devil used the Word of God and turned it around. The devil did this for Jesus to sin, but he did not succeed because Jesus knew the truth of God’s Word. Each time the devil tested Him, Jesus answered with the truth and the devil fled before Him. But, the Word of God says that the devil waited for the right time to return.
We also experience the same temptations Jesus did. If He came out victorious, we must also do the same. Pay attention closely, when the devil did not succeed in tempting Jesus, he fled. But he did not flee completely because he waited for the right time. The same applies to us. For example, if the devil tempts us today and we conquered, don’t boast immediately. Instead, we must be watchful because he will return again with more lies. That will continuously happen! But, we must believe we can be conquerors. Amen!
There are three tactics the devil used in tempting Jesus. Tactic 1: When Jesus was hungry, the devil said, “If you are the son of God, command these stones to become bread!” Jesus replied, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God!” We must be careful. This what the devil always offers, “Do you want to live comfortably? You have to work! Work really hard. You have to get bread!” This is clearly the devil’s deceit. Jesus said that man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes out from the mouth of God. It’s true that we must work but not according to what the devil said, by working hard in every possible way to get bread. We only need to ask, we are loved by God and we love Him and He will prepare everything. The Lord says, ““Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on… But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Jesus also said, “Gather the heavenly treasures, not what is on earth.” Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Why? Because for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and mammon. You must choose: Mammon or God!”
Tactic 2: The devil took Jesus to the highest point of the temple and said, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone’” The devil quoted Psalm 91. But Jesus replied, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God!”These days, be careful with the teachings that often say.”You’re the child of God, right? You are born again. You can do anything, it’s fine. The Lord will smile seeing you.” Be careful, because that is tempting the Lord! And that is often what the devil offers – by saying “It’s fine, you’re a child of God. You can sin a little and you will be forgiven.”
Tactic 3 : The devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Don’t worship the devil! Many Christians are trapped in this. They want to succeed not knowing their success came from the devil, not the Lord! Be careful, don’t chase after these things. Chase after the Lord and you will be saved and blessed! Amen!
Source: Sermon of Pst Niko Njotorahardjo, GBI Gatot Subroto, Jakarta bulletin