Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 17, 2022: SOAP #4518:  1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

OBSERVATION: The devil had tempted Jesus in each of the three ways mentioned in 1John 2:16: the lust of the flesh (turning stone into bread to satisfy hunger), the lust of the eyes (look at all the kingdoms I will give you if you worship me), and the pride of life (prove you are God, the Son.) Jesus proved victorious in each, using only what is available to us — The Written Word!

Also, Jesus was tempted in the exact same points as Eve in the garden. (Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, …) Eve was tempted with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 

The devil’s tactics have not changed. As Jesus overcame Satan in these same temptations, He proved Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. Paul wrote, “He Who knew no sin …” It was not because He had not been tempted or tested. From Genesis to the time of Jesus and to this very day, the devil’s tactics have not changed, but neither has the victory available to us in the life of Christ!

APPLICATION: The life that Jesus now lives in me is not the pre-tested, pre-crucifixion life.  It is a life that has already been tested!  Of course, He knows how to help me!   It is a life that has already been in and out of death’s door!  The One who will be escorting me through death’s door has already been there!!!  

PRAYER:  Lord, you are the Living Word, and you overcame Satan with the written word.  Today, I have both the Written Word and the victorious, resurrected Living Word alive in me.  Victory is mine!!!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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