Jesus Is StrongerSample

Jesus declared war on Satan

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

The Bible begins with the creation account. The Lord creates everything good. In the third chapter, Satan appears on the scene as a talking serpent, tempting Adam and Eve into sin. His scheme succeeds, and the people disobey their Creator, but God declares war on Satan. He says that the offspring of the woman shall bruise his head, and Satan shall bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15).

Thousands of years later, Jesus appears on the scene. Being the eternal Son of God, He is born as a human baby. The first letter of the apostle John explains why He comes on earth: “to destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus is the Offspring of the woman who will conquer Satan.

When Jesus’ public ministry begins, He is tempted in the desert after forty days of fasting. Three times over, Satan tries to make Jesus sin and entice Him to worship Satan. But Jesus does not give in. He tells Satan to “be gone.” Then He starts preaching and announcing that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). This clearly is a declaration of war on Satan. The battle has begun!

Over the next few days, let’s see how this battle is decided.