Preparer: Larry Joe Goad

I. Observation
   1. Divine Instructions
   2. Resist the Devil
   3. Satan has to flee

   In this passage of scriptures we have Divine instructions on resisting the devil when we are tempted by him. If these instructions are followed then the devil has to flee from us, why?, because the Bible tells us so. He had to flee from the Lord so therefore being sons and daughters we are given the same promise.

II. Interpretation: Two Key Factors
   1. That Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost
    2. And was lead by the Spirit into the wilderness
   In verse 1, there are two key factors that is pointed out about Jesus (1) was full of the Holy Ghost and (2) was led by the Spirit into the wildness.
   To be full of the Holy Ghost and led by the Spirit is Christ like. In fact if we completely engage these two two factors into our daily living they provide what we need to be over-comers in Christ.
   How do we obtain these factors, through daily reading our Bibles and prayer. If you will notice throughout the New Testament Christ never went forth without preparation in seeking the will of the Father. He always went off somewhere to petition the Father for his will. In our lives today the modern translation is this: if we feed our spiritual lives in Christ our physical lives fall into place.
   We must do as Christ did feed ourselves from the Word of God (daily this is where we obtain our strength for our daily living.
   When we focus upon the Lord our spiritual life is taken care of because we increase in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we therefore walk in the light as He shines it forth on our paths then we can say, "I am led by the Spirit". God's guidance is for all.
   The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to fast and pray. Thus he did for forty days being tempted of the devil and when they were ended he was hungry. Christ's physical appearance was weakness because he was hungry, so the devil decided this was the time to tempt Him far greater than ever before. Satan, said, if thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. Jesus answered, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but every word of God.
   To many times man fails because they continue to drink of the milk of the word however, to grow steadily in Christ we much eat of the meat of the word. And when we physically eat meat we want it tender, done to our taste and satisfaction, but the meat of the Word of God oft times is tough, overcooked so to speak because it is then that we are taught valuable less in order to grow spiritually. To sum this up I believe that these are times that Christ uses the Spirit to place us in alignment to His Will.
   Then the devil, taking him into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. Saying, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is deliver unto me: and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. Jesus answered, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it was written, Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shall those serve.
   Satan took Jesus to a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, least at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
   Jesus answered, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
   And when the devil had ended all temptation, he departed from him for a season.
   All things Satan had to offer didn't belong to him in the first place, they belonged to God the Father and God the Son since the beginning of creation. What Satan offers us is damnation to our souls but Christ offers the gift of eternal life which was paid for in full by Him.
   Christ gave all to redeem us and Satan fell from grace because he wanted to be higher than God. So therefore Satan wants all to foll him that will.

II. Application
   1. Follow Divine guidance
   2. God has given us authority to resist Satan
   To apply this to our live we must follow the Divine guidance that was established in Christ, to seek after the will of the Father by feeding our lives for the Word of God, and by prayer, living daily by His grace.
   When Stan comes against us God has given us the authority to resist the devil and to make him flee however, we must be living where God answers prayer. We cannot halfway live a life for Christ and expect him to take care of us, we must be full dedicated unto Him.
   Many times I fail and fall short of the Glory of God however, Christ paid the ultimate price that I can call upon His name to repent and go on.