Tactical Maneuvers
Spiritual Warfare is real. If you don’t believe it is, then don’t waste your time reading the rest of the blog.
Just like if you ever go to court, you have a strategy for the case.
If you are on a sports team, there is a strategy for defense and offense depending on the adversary.
This is no different.
Let’s examine the tactics Satan used when he was attacking Jesus in the wilderness. Remember, you can read for yourself (and I encourage you to do so). Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-12
1. When did he attack?
a. Jesus was hungry – physical need
b. Jesus was alone – lack of support and encouragement from friends and family
c. Jesus was in the wilderness – many places for adversaries to hide and have an advantage
2. What was the strategy of attack
a. Tempt Jesus into proving He was the Son of God but taunting Him saying, “If you are the Son of God…”
b. Quoting Scripture – Psalm 91:11-12. Yes, the devil has Scripture memorized. Do you?
3. How did he attack?
a. Acknowledging the physical need and offering to meet it, BUT with a conditions
b. Making promises – shows Jesus the kingdoms present and kingdoms to come and wants to play Let’s Make a Deal
c. Testing the authority and power of Jesus Christ – throw Yourself down from here because the angels are ordered to protect you. Let’s test it out.
Jesus was prepared. Let’s look at the moves Jesus made during the warfare:
1. Jesus response – quote Scripture. You don’t see any other conversation other than Jesus quoting Scripture. This is a huge point. The more we run our mouths, the more ammunition we give the devil. God’s Word can stand on its own. Quote the Scripture and zip your lips.
2. Jesus knew the physical need was temporal in nature. He knew He would not die from hunger. He knew how He was going to die and when, and this was not that day. Friends, if you are tempted by food, you will not die from hunger either.
3. Jesus knew the errors in Satan’s logic. Yes, Satan had freedom to reign on this earth, but it’s temporary. Jesus’ reign is eternal. He knew when the time came all the kingdoms will bow and confess, so why say anything else but quote Scripture?
4. Jesus did not have to prove himself to Satan. They both knew each other from when Satan was in heaven with Jesus. Satan knew Jesus was the Son of God, so why would Jesus have to defend it? He didn’t. He just quoted Scripture.
Luke’s version of events ends with a phrase, “he departed from Him for a time.” Spiritual warfare isn’t over just because a squirmish or battle is won. The war continues until Jesus’ triumphant return.
If you want to prepare for spiritual warfare and want to dig deeper into another story in the Bible, read Genesis 3 when Satan tempts Eve. Break down his tactics, strategies. Identify how she responded, and write down a correct response, should you ever find yourself facing spiritual warfare.
I encourage you to keep Scripture written on cards. Post on your mirror, in your car, at work, in the kitchen, etc. A sweet friend of mine has Scripture made of vinyl on her walls.
And study the armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18, and put it on every day without fail. Teach this to your children. Start them out young putting on the armor of God when you wake them in the morning. Shake their little heads as you put on the helmet of salvation, tickle those feet when you put on the gospel of peace, grab their arm to hold up the shield of faith, grab their hand and move it around like the sword which is the word of God, tighten their clothes around their waste for the belt of righteousness. Teach those sweet babies how to be ready. They are the future army of God.