DEFEAT THE DEVIL.

As a Christian, it is important to understand how Jesus defeated the devil before embarking on his ministry.  It is not easy to understand why the spirit would start by leading Jesus to be tempted by the devil.  However, I believe that it was the spirit of God who led Jesus to be tempted.  Matthew 4 vs3 The devil came to him and said, “If you are God’s son, order these stones to turn into bread”.
Before I proceed any further, how many times you have prayed to God saying because you are His child, a certain situation has to be changed in your life.  Now look at Jesus’ response!   Matthew 4 vs 4 but Jesus answered,   “The scripture says “Human beings cannot live on bread alone but need every word that God speaks.”  Remember when Jesus was praying later, Luke 22 vs 42 he said “Father, If you will, take this cup of suffering away from me.  Not my will, however, but your will be done.”
Jesus was so hungry and clearly needed some thing to eat but his response was “It is written, human beings can not live on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.  So instead of focusing on his immediate problem Jesus said that his problem needed God’s spiritual power through the word rather that physical intervention.  In fact Jesus’ response meant that his problem is already solved by what God has already spoken in the word.  Deut 8 vs 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with mana, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
So get this right.  It does not mean that because you are a child of God, you can demand what you want and God gives you.  Many Christians and believers stumble once their prayers which all most like demands are not answered.  So people then get frustrated and at times think that God is not hearing them.  Remember Jesus refused to use his status to change a situation but instead referred back to God’s word.  In other words Jesus was referring to the commandments of God.
Deut 8 vs 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years; to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.  So Jesus defeated the temptation of using His status to influence a change and what we see Him doing is referring back to what His Father says.  Jesus is teaching us that even if we are children of God, we need to follow what God says.
Matt 4 vs 8-9 Again, the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you if you kneel down and worship me” the devil said.  Then Jesus answered, “Go away Satan!  The scriptures say worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
Jesus refused to bow down to the devil in order to acquire worldly riches.  Christians need to understand that the devil can provide riches.  When one acquires worldly riches, it is mostly considered as a blessing.  People do not consider how these riches are acquired but Jesus refused to bow down to the devil in order to acquire riches.  In fact the devil’s riches are very easy to acquire.  True riches come from God.  Deut 8 vs 18 But remember the Lord your God, who give you the ability to produce wealth.  This follows Deut 8 vs 11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.
So Jesus defeated the devil of riches and maintained that He will not worship the devil as it is written ‘worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’  So before Jesus started his ministry he defeated the devil and the devil had no power over him.
Unlike Jesus, many leaders start their ministries before defeating the devil or having the power to do so.  The danger with this is that they will not resist or have power over the devil when he visits. But Jesus defeated the devil, Matthew 4 vs 11 “Then the devil left Jesus; and the angels came and attended him.”
Although Jesus was very hungry, he acknowledged what his father had said – “Man can not leave on bread alone, but need every word that God speaks.”  Jesus opted to follow what God said than to use his status to address his needs.  Jesus declined to give in to the devil despite being offered worldly kingdoms and all their greatness.  How would you have responded if it was you today?  The most important thing is to know that Jesus defeated the devil.  Ask for God’s power to do the same. Many church Leaders and Christians are struggling today, opting for worldly riches at the expense of true worship. As a result of this, the devil is using churches leaders to deceive vulnerable people as he (The devil) knows in churches, that’s where people come in large numbers. Open your eyes and have a deep  understanding of the calling of your leaders.

May God Bless you

Bishop Alfinos