[Deeply Rooted] Stand StrongSample

Our Response: Resistance

We’ve talked about the reality of Satan’s existence and his usual tactics of temptation. We need to know these things, and even more importantly to know how to respond when temptations come. Yesterday, we saw how Jesus responded to Satan’s temptations with the truth of God’s Word. This is a powerful means of overcoming temptation for us, too. Today, we will look at another important response to temptation: resistance.

Like brave soldiers who are resolved to stand against the enemy at the gates, we must resolve to resist. Our resistance is a strong defense against the enemy. Scripture tells us that our resistance can cause the devil to flee! Two specific things we can resolve to resist today are condemnation and comparison. The enemy will use both of these to take our eyes off God and to move our feet off the path we are called to follow.

Condemnation can make us feel defeated and hopeless. One of Satan’s descriptions is The Accuser because he works to accuse and condemn us before God. We must resist his accusations and remember who we are in Christ and what Christ has done for us. The Bible tells us that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for the forgiveness of our sins. His work has made us sons and daughters of God. We are no longer condemned. We are children of God!

Comparison can make us jealous and discontent. It can bring resentment in our hearts against God and others. We must resist the temptation to compare because it can bring bitterness and disunity. Instead of comparing, we can trust that God is not holding anything back from us. We can be grateful for what He has given us and focus on His generous blessings. When we take time to be grateful for what we have, we’re less prone to focus on what we don’t have. It will make it easier for us to recognize the lies of the enemy that make us compare and complain.

Of course, this is all easier said than done, but God has given us what we need to stand strong and resist the devil. Ephesians tells us about the armor of God that we are all called to wear in defense of the temptations of the enemy. Each piece of the armor is vital, and by God’s grace, is available to us in Christ. Pray today that God will arm you as you resist, fight, and stand strong against the enemy of your soul!

Thought of the Day: Today, I resolve to resist the enemy and his temptations. I will put on the armor of God and stand strong in Christ’s victory!