1 Peter 5:8-9; Mt. 4:1-11, Resist (4, Recourse)

For yet another day we are going to consider the matter of the command concerning, to resist, steadfast in the faith.  The following are some thoughts from elsewhere in Scripture that tell us what the Christian’s recourse is in this battle.  Besides knowing Satan’s mental perceptions (schemes) we also need to have the right perception.  We need to think God’s thoughts!  So consider.

·        Satan operates only as God allows, Job. 1:6-12; 2:1-8.  Satan, like all that God has created, is endowed with authority from God to do and act within the boundaries God has set.  He does have significant authority; but he is not deity.  Satan submits to God’s parameters.

·        Christians use their knowledge and MEMORY of Scripture to combat temptation (Matt. 4:1-11; Ps. 119:11; Eph. 6:17).  Satan has authority to tempt or test men.  Our chief weapon is Scripture and the chief means of accessing that is not by carrying around a small Bible with a great concordance in the back.  It is to hide God’s word in our hearts!  The sword of the Spirit is the specific words from God’s word (the term word in Eph. 6:17 is rema, the specific words of Scripture).  This is how Jesus used the sword, have an appropriate answer for each temptation.

·        Jesus prayed that the Father would keep us from Satan (Jn. 17:15).  That prayer will be answered; ALL that Jesus asked for from the Father He will receive.  It is the basis for the great promised escape of 1 Cor. 10:13!

·        Satan has received a death blow already (Jn. 12:31; Heb. 2:14; 1 Jn. 3:8; Col. 2:13-15).  That is a fundamental reason for the Incarnation, the defeat of the one who has always been seeking to destroy God’s work.

·        We can know Satan’s devices (1 Cor. 2:10-11; the subject of yesterday’s post).

·        We have armor for protection and for engaging in the battle (Eph. 6:10-20).  We cannot go into detail here (we have done this elsewhere in studying Ephesians).  But we will say that the key for us is to actually put on this armor.  We often invite Satan into our lives by our carrying a shield of the flesh or putting on a breastplate of unrighteousness.  Put on the whole armor of God!

·        We can resist Satan and he will flee (Jas. 4:7; 1 Pt. 5:9).  This is God’s promise.  We need not flee him when the battle becomes hot.

·        Satan’s future is secured in ultimate defeat (eternal punishment; Rev. 20:7-10; Mt. 25:41).  As we have noted, he is a defeated enemy already.  It does not lessen his strength, in one sense.  Remember Rev. 12:12: the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.  Wherever you place this passage (I see it in the future) what it says is that the devil’s rage is significant, even though, and perhaps especially though, he realizes he lost the war  at an empty tomb just outside Jerusalem.