Protecting Against Satanic Attack
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" Again, the devil took Him to a very 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 fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (Matthew 4:1-11 NASB)
As soldiers in God's army, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. To hold our ground, we must be arrayed in battle gear every day.
Be sure your feet are shod with the gospel of peace. Roman military boots had metal cleats to help soldiers stand firm in battle. Similarly, our spiritual "shoes" provide the solid footing of assurance—we are certain we have peace with God and are safe in Him. (John 10:28)
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Carry the shield of faith. The most powerful asset we have as believers is our faith. It helps us to resist the Enemy's temptations by thinking, I know I have this need, but I will wait for the Lord to meet it His way and in His time. I trust God. We are well protected behind the shield of faith.
Wear the helmet of salvation. The mind is Satan's battlefield; it needs to be conscientiously and effectively guarded. In a spiritual battle, our assurance that we are saved will help repel the Enemy's lies that would cause us to question God or to think contrary to Scripture. With such certainty, our minds can remain steady.
Carry the sword of the Spirit. God's Word is both an offensive and defensive weapon. It makes inroads for the Gospel (Hebrews 4:12), and it also protects us. As Jesus proved in the desert temptation, the Devil cannot stand against it.
The spiritual battle raging around us is real and fierce. (Ephesians 6:12) We are not in the reserves, waiting to be called up. We are in the war. Soldier of God, are you fully dressed for battle?
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