The Silent But Deadly TrioSample

It Is Written

Until Jesus came, it was difficult for anyone to beat the world system of the “Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.” But today I am so grateful that Jesus not only beat the system, but he enabled us to do the same by giving us his Spirit to indwell us. The help given to us in the person of the Holy Spirit is amazing if we learn how to host him and keep our minds governed by him. The Bible tells us clearly that Jesus, once he was baptized by John and he came up out of the water, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit rested on Jesus, and then he was led into the wilderness to fast and pray for forty days to be tested. (Matthew 4:1-11 NIV)

The enemies of our souls have employed this world system from the beginning of time and will continue to enforce it till the end; this system didn’t skip the men and women of old, it did not skip Jesus, and it sure won’t skip us. But we must become wise by spending time with the Holy Spirit; reading and meditating on the word, praising and worshiping because this habit is the only way to beat the world system. Let us examine the temptations presented to Jesus and see how he counteracted it:

1. After forty days Jesus was hungry, and the enemy appealed to the need of Jesus flesh at that moment to satisfy his hunger, the enemy said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:3b NIV). Jesus immediately responds with an “it is written statement.” “It is written: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)


2. The enemy appealed to Jesus’ pride by telling him to prove his power and authority as the Son of God. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “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. ‘” Again Jesus responds with the word of God, “Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:5-7 NIV)


3. The enemy tries one more time by appealing to the eyes; showing him all he could gain if he would just bow down and worship Satan. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:9 NIV). And Jesus immediately shuts him up by responding, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matthew 4:10b NIV).

Jesus single-handedly decimated the world system by having the written word in his heart, mind, and mouth. There is no other way to defeat the enemy and his system except by habitually walking and living by the Spirit of God.

Holy Spirit, I welcome you to walk and talk with me daily. Manifest your power in my life so I may overcome the world system just like Jesus did.