The Audacity of Satan

Matthew 4:8-11, "Again, the devil took him (Jesus) to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this will I give you,' he said, 'if you wil bow down and worship me.'"

"Jesus said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him."

The audacity of Satan! The first two temptations were on one level; "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread," and "If you are the Son of God...throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" It reminds me of how Satan also dealt with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, "Did God really say...?"

The first two temptations were audacious enough that he should try to coerce the Son of God to display his authority and power. However the third temptation blows my mind and should really make us think of the boldness of the enemy. He actually dared, DARED to suggest that the Son of God - God incarnate, the one who CREATED the world, would envy Satan's "kingdom" and "splendor" and suggest that God bow down and worship him!!!

Take heed of the crafty, cunning enemy we fight. If he tried to tempt the Son of God, who are we? The great news is that, he's already defeated. Praise the Lord! Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We know how the war ends. Hallelujah! But it doesn't exempt us from the skirmishes of the battles inbetween. Sharpen your sword - study the Word. Be alert, be prayerful, the time is at hand. Don't be caught sleeping. Our enemy is not asleep. He's slick and slippery like a serpent though. Always looking to strike. Think it not strange the tests and trials that you may go through. Rejoice to be counted worthy, to be counted a threat to the kingdom of darkness and to partake in the sufferings of Christ.

We have an audacious enemy. But take comfort in knowing, he's already defeated. Take comfort in knowing that our King, our High Priest, our Lord has already triumphed over the devil and given us authority in his name to destroy the works of darkness. The devil knows his time is short and is elevating his game. We must elevate ours as well.

Be bold. Remember who you are and whose you are. Know the Word and brandish it. Remain prayerful and walk in righteousness so that you may walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember...we win!

Peace and Blessings!