 The Real Battleground - Part Sixby Darryl Robbins
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matt. 4: 1) And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. (Mk. 4: 1) Here we remind you, that Satan's efforts to destroy Jesus at His birth were unsuccessful. The intensity of behind the scenes spiritual activity was no small matter. Not much is known about the early childhood of Jesus. This time period is often referred to as the silent years. Luke makes note of Jesus and the family coming back from Egypt and returning to their home city of Nazareth. He also tells us that the "child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him" and that "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Lk. 2: 40, 52) We simply are not told of any attempts of the enemy during this period of time. We can only speculate. After Jesus is baptized of John in the Jordon and receives the anointing and infilling of the Holy Spirit the warfare begins. Being led into the wilderness by the Spirit, at the end of forty days of fasting, He is confronted by the enemy. Being hungry, Jesus is tempted by the devil to turn the stones into bread. Here you will find a consistent, simple principle that the devil employees. He always tempts you at your weakest moments and in the weakest areas of you life. Be aware that he is constantly looking for those areas and those times of weakness in your life. Satan then shows an open display of all the kingdoms of the world and everything in them. He thens offers it all to Jesus. In exchange, Jesus must worship him. Many are those who have sold their very life and soul to the enemy for money and positions of authority and fame. The desire for fame, recognition and power is a common flaw and weakness in the human race. You can be sure that Satan will exploit that weakness at every opportunity. Taking Jesus to the top of the temple, Satan brought into question what God had said to Him after He was baptized. Jesus knew He was the Son of God. Satan said, "If you are the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence". Hoping to provoke Jesus' sense of self worth and humiliate Him, Satan desired to tempt Him into jumping to His death. There's an interesting scripture
that will help us in our understanding here. Let's look at it. The term 'world' is mentioned six times in this particular scripture. The original Greek word for world is kosmos, which, by definition means, 'the order and arrangement of the world system, its operation, and all of it's adornments'. It does not refer to oceans, lands, mountians, rivers, or the world as a planet. Rather, it refers to the system that is in operation under mans control on the planet. It's the worlds' system of operation that is in view here. Look at verse sixteen again. What's being said here? Simply this.
Everything in the present world system and its method of operation is made
up of three different things or principles. What is amazing, is that the total operation of the world system is strictly based on these three principles. I cannot think of one single sin that does not fit into one of the three categories----not one! Jesus was tested in all three of these areas; the lust of the flesh with the hunger and bread deal, the lust of the eyes when he was shown all that was in the world, and the pride of life when Satan attempted to humiliate him by questioning His sonship and using His authority out of the will of God. In these three areas, Jesus covered all the bases of possible temptation. More importantly, by the power of the Spirit and by means of the specific scriptures that God spoke to Him (rhema Word) He overcame the temptations. Satan had lost another battle. He would, however, carry on the war. The Real Battleground - Part Seven RETURN TO SPIRIT OF LIFE MINISTRIES HOMEPAGE Click Here to E Mail Us |