Thursday, June 25
Read: Luke 4
Luke 4 begins with the display of the devil’s temptations to Jesus. This becomes the first battle between the enemy and Jesus in spiritual warfare. Jesus being fully human and God, was tempted just like we are in our day-to-day lives. By studying God’s word we are not only able to learn about the characteristics of God, but the characteristics of the enemy as well. There are a few conclusions we can make from this passage; one being that Satan is by no means dumb. In fact, he is a very smart and strategic connoisseur of temptation. In all three temptations presented by the enemy, they have one focus, to deceive Jesus into obeying Satan. And he attempts to do so by manipulating scripture, putting it out of context to convince Christ that by obeying the devil he would be obeying God. This, of course in not true! In no way is obeying the enemy obedience to God. Satan knows this and uses this skillful tactic in spiritual warfare. He became much like the criminal masterminds we see in comic books, a sort of Lex Luther of the spiritual world.
We get another revelation of the enemy in the devil’s temptations and that is that even though he may be smart, the enemy is powerless to Christ! There is an overwhelming victory when Jesus overcomes all the temptations of the devil. Not only does he not obey him, but after each temptation, Jesus calls out the enemy clearly letting him know how he is wrong. We get another glimpse of these spiritual battles with Jesus and the evil spirit (v. 33-36). First the spirit recognizes Jesus as the “Holy one of God.” Look at Mark 1:23-26. Here we have the same story, yet the spirit seems a bit more nervous. When the evil spirit asks, “have you come to destroy us” it is not referring to humans but to himself and other demons. The spirit recognizes that Jesus has power over them and Christ displays his authority over it by silencing it and casting it out! Christ has all power and authority over the enemy!
Jesus gives a short sermon in the synagogue at Nazareth (v. 16-21). He first gives the scripture from Isaiah 61:1,2 (a prophesy of the messiah), and then simply fallows that message by announcing that the messiah has come, and it is he, Jesus Christ! Christ has come to free the captives (Isaiah 61:1) and does so on the cross. It is through his death and resurrection that Jesus overcomes the greatest of all the spiritual battles! Through the fulfillment Christ, Jesus wins this major victory over Satan. The enemy no longer has control or power over us. Even though the enemy may skillfully attack us, it is important to know that through Christ, we too have that complete victory over the enemy!
Process:
-In what area may the enemy try and manipulate us to justify sin?
-How does this manipulation play out in our society? How about in our churches?
-Why is it important for us to learn the characteristics of the enemy? Are there any more characteristics that we can learn from this chapter?
-We all have the power to overcome the enemy through Christ Jesus! The best example is God’s continual forgiveness of our sins. But in order for that reconciliation to happen, we must first confess those sins before God. You have a wonderful opportunity of community within BOS and within you cell groups. If there is any area in your life that needs forgiveness, I urge you take time within in your groups or with any of the leaders to bring those things before God. We want Christ’s victory to reign in all aspects of our lives!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).