Matthew: Healing in His PresenceSample

Satan Tempts Jesus in the Desert

As you are on a healing journey, your soul and spiritual healing are just as important as your body. And guess what? Your enemy, the devil knows this and will take advantage.

This passage happens just after Jesus had a great spiritual win. He was just baptized in the Jordan River, and immediately afterward the Spirit led him into the desert. He stayed there 40 days and he was HUNGRY!

Did you notice anything in this passage? Jesus was minding his own business, alone and isolated in the desert - and then the devil sought him out. Satan knew that Jesus' body was weak and he wanted to take advantage of that. But what's so awesome about this story, which doesn't feature a physical healing, is watching what Jesus did in response to the devil's temptations and attacks.

Look again at exactly what Satan said to Jesus. The devil used lies and half-truths and quoted Scriptures. Even the devil knows the Bible! But notice how Jesus battled it out with the devil. He combated Satan’s temptations with God’s Word. Jesus simply stated God’s Word and told Satan to leave. Jesus didn't argue with the devil. He didn't entertain the lies being told to Him. He quoted Scripture and told him to leave! Immediately after the devil left, angels came and attended Jesus.

So what can we learn from this? It's so important to be reading God's Word and memorizing it. It's your weapon against the devil's lies that are whispered to you as you are healing. Those lies like, "You'll never get better." "God doesn't care about you or you wouldn't be sick." "You'd be better off dead." These are all lies from the enemy. Don't fall into Satan's trap! Start memorizing Scripture today. Bonus tip: Psalm 35 and 91 are both great psalms to memorize and use when you feel attacked. It looks like you have some homework!

Questions:

1. What thoughts are you constantly battling as you heal?

2. What Bible verses do you have memorized right now that you can use in spiritual battle?

3. How can you make Scripture memorization part of your healing journey this week?