Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 4:1-13; Ephesians 6:10-18 "BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT" Ephesians 6:10"
Day 47 – Luke 4
Text: Luke 4:1-13; Ephesians 6:10-18
“BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT” Ephesians 6:10
We can and must learn many lessons from this portion of Scripture. What are some of these important lessons that we must learn?
A. Concerning the Enemy of our Souls
1. We are involved in a terrific spiritual struggle against a powerful but invisible enemy.
2. The Devil will resort to every means to cause us to sin against God.
3. He is relentless in his assaults.
4. He may be defeated at one point, but be sure that he will come right back soon after to mount another assault. His determination to attempt to deceive us knows no bounds.
5. If he is unafraid of testing Jesus, why should he be afraid of us?
B. Concerning the Weapons of our Warfare
1. Thank God for the “whole armour of God” that He has given us (Cf. Ephesians 6:10-18).
2. Learn to put on this whole armour of God so that we may be able stand against the Devil himself.
3. Note very carefully how the Lord Jesus utilized the following to great effect:-
a) The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
b) Note also how He spent time in prayer and supplication, led by the Holy Spirit to see the Face of His Father?
c) Consider how strong He was in the power of the Holy Spirit!
THE THINGS THAT TEMPT US
How do we understand the second temptation from Satan? What was he driving at? Why did he think that Jesus could be tempted by the “glory of the kingdoms of the world” ?(Luke 4:5-6).
Hidden deep within the heart of man, there seems to be a desire for the following things:-
1. There seems to be a great desire to possess “authority”. (Luke 4:6)
2. There seems to be lust for things material, like riches . (Luke 4:6)
3.This sense of greed is sometimes quite well controlled. However, if given the opportunity, many would not mind having great wealth – gained at the expense of losing our relationship with God.
THE PRICE THAT SATAN DEMANDS
There is a price tag to everything that Satan offers! He wants our allegiance. He wants us to worship him! He wants to be the person who dominates our life!
He would offer anything to us! We need to note that his offer to give wealth and authority does not always pan out. The Lord Jesus was right to call him “the father of lies” (John 8:44). He promises, but he does not always deliver. When he does deliver, he exacts a terrible toll! The devil knows that many are weak, and they will succumb to this not-very-subtle temptation! How would Jesus respond?
“GET BEHIND ME, SATAN!” THAT’S OUTRIGHT REJECTION!
It is important to note how Jesus responded to this temptation! Note how Jesus did not even consider the offer of Satan as worthwhile discussing! He dismisses it outright!
He does not discuss the issue of “authority” , nor does He discuss “the kingdoms of the world… and their glory” (Luke 4:5-6). His forthright, and outright rejection of Satan’s offer is absolutely correct! He knew better than to enter into any discussion with the Devil concerning any issue!
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
Once again, the Lord Jesus cited the Scriptures! How well He knew the Word of God. How well He wielded the sword of the Spirit.
Jesus’ perspective of life began with how one must know the Word of God and live by it! How can a man speak of living aright unless it is in relationship to obedience to the Word of God revealed?
What does the light of the Word of God show? Surely, the Scriptures teach us that God must be the Only One to be worshipped! There can be Only One Person worth serving – the Lord God Himself! One cannot serve two masters! One cannot serve God and mammon at the same time (Matthew 6:24)!
“KEEP MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS” Psalm 119:37
Thank God for His precious Word! Psalm 119:33-40 is an important segment of this long Psalm. This portion has a prayer to be kept from the problem of COVETOUSNESS.
The Psalmist cries out from his heart:-
“Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.” Psalm 119:36-37
Let us also be reminded of what the Apostle John wrote in 1 John:-
“Do not love the world or the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,
And the pride of life (“possessions”) – is NOT of the Father
But is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it;
But he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17
The Devil continues to lure many away from God through offering wealth, authority etc. Sadly, many have succumbed to the temptations of Satan. Let us pray that we may be specially kept by the power of the Lord.