Topic: The Enemy’s Ploy
Text: Matthew 4:1-4

Jesus Christ is our Captain. We are overcomers because the Captain of our Salvation has overcome Satan, sin and the world. However, we must be watchful. When Satan tempted Eve, the Bible tells us that three major things led to her fall. When she looked at the tree, she saw that the fruit was desirable to eat. This is the lust of the flesh. This was the step to her fall. Food has killed many people. May God never allow us to eat what will kill us. Eve also said the fruit was pleasing to the eye. This is the lust of the eyes, the second step to her fall.

Many people have been lured to hell by what they saw. Eve also said the fruit was desirable for gaining wisdom. This is the pride of the world. This was the thirds step to eve’s fall. Many people who should have seen Jesus Christ could not see Him because they want to be wiser than God. When Satan wanted to tempt Jesus Christ, he used these three weapons. Satan first tried doubt on Jesus Christ. He then proceeded to the lust of the flesh, the pride of the world and the lust of the eyes. But Jesus Christ overcame. Thus, we are overcomers. Satan asked Jesus Christ to turn stones to bread. He was telling Jesus Christ to eat so as not to die before getting back to the city. He implied that if Jesus turned stones into bread, His work would have been made easier since the people would flock to Him knowing fully well that He would feed them. Satan knew the heart of the people and Satan wanted Jesus Christ Christi to misuse His power. James 4:3 says, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”

Satan wanted to report Jesus to God that He was using the power given to Him to take care of Himself. Satan wanted to discredit Jesus Christ. Jesus answered in Matthew 4:4 that: “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Jesus said, “It is written” meaning the word of God is forever settled. Even Satan knows this. You must saturate your heart with the word of God. When the word of God dwells richly in you, you will be empowered to overcome all the wiles of the devil.

Memory Verse: James 4:3 - “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts”.