“Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. For it is written: He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you, and In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ Luke 4:9-10 NKJV
I read this today and it hit me, he was asking Jesus to commit suicide. Think about that, if he would say this to Jesus and try to get Jesus to “throw himself off the top of a building”, just imagine what satan is saying to our children. He took scripture and twisted it. This is why it is so important that we teach our children the word and they remember it, not just remember it but know it well. I write this in the perspective of a parent in regards to children but the same applies to adults. If satan is willing to be this bold with Jesus, how bold do you think he is willing to be with you or I. The negative thoughts he is willing is whisper in our ears. Right now through all this “isolation”, he has so many of us alone, isolated, or “cornered” if you will. He thinks he has us right where he wants us and it gives him the opportunities to say whatever he wants and we start to believe it because we do not have those connections with others to stop the spin cycle of negative thoughts and actions.
Be encouraged though, Jesus rebuked him and you have the authority to do the same. He rebuked him with the actual Word of God. Jesus is like, “don’t mistake, satan, I know who you are and I know what you are up to…”. The second time satan tempted Him, He told satan to “Get behind Me…” Luke 4:8 NKJV. You need to do the same, tell him to get under your feet and walk on him. Tell him to get out of your family by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Tell him to flee and he MUST flee. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 NKJV When Jesus was tempted this time, his answer was scripture again, “And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘It has been said, You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'” Luke 4:12 NKJV So take God’s word and use it against the enemy. It is your Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6). If you are having negative thoughts or suspect your child/teen is being tempted by the enemy. Pray! Pray for yourself, pray over your child, pray over your loved one, your friend, whomever. It does not have to be pretty. Jesus did not mix words and He did not have some eloquent saying, phase or prayer. He just plainly said, “Get behind me”, “You shall not tempt God”. You have the power and authority to do the same. You can and should resist him. He will flee.
The last point: “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” Luke 4:13 NKJV I share this point because we need to be vigilant. Satan waited until the “opportune time”. Jesus was already alone. He was fasting. He was hungry and thirsty I am sure of it. The enemy perceived Him as weak. Every time the enemy just stayed back waiting for just that right moment. Jesus was ready though. We need to be the same. Every time we start to hear those negative words we need to say, “Not today satan”. He can’t hear what you are thinking so you need to say it out loud. Rebuke him loudly and forcefully. Don’t mix words or be weak about it. Command him to go and he MUST go. Find some of your favorite scriptures, even if they may not apply, and start repeating them. Walk into your children’s rooms and run him out. I encourage you to pray in every room of your house. Kick the enemy out. I’m not saying he won’t try to come back, because just as he did Jesus, he will wait for the “opportune time”. We just have to keep our prayer life up and kick him out every time we even suspect he’s starting to creep back in.
Yes, I know he keeps coming back for more. Yes, I know it can be tiresome, the little fiery arrows he launches our way. Yes, I know sometimes those arrows are like a barrage of cannons. Know this, that God will never leave nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5). God will fight our battles for us. He has given us the authority to resist the enemy, rebuke him and kick him out. Also know, we have read the end of the book and the enemy LOSES. God always wins.
If you are struggling, ask God to send you a friend, send you a person to speak a word over you. Go to a friend, you don’t have to disclose what your thoughts are, if they are a God Fearing Christian, they will know already and they will encourage you. They will lift you up. They will pray with you and for you. It is as simple as calling a friend up and just having a normal conversation. Don’t be alone. Don’t be afraid. God is with you and if He is for you who can be against you (Romans 8:31)!! If you do not have a friend you think you can call, send me a message and I can put you in touch with someone. I will always pray with you and for you but I won’t do this alone, I will put you in touch with someone that can really help you resist the enemy.
Scriptures to Remember:
Romans 8:31
Deuteronomy 31:6
Hebrews 13:5
Resources: Suicide Hotline – 800-273-8255 or https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
There are so many scriptures I have to speak to and against this. If you are struggling, you should reach out. If not to me (as I am a complete stranger) to someone who you trust. Don’t be caught alone, that’s when the enemy can be the strongest. Just know you are an OVERCOMER and God does LOVE you.
He will leave the 99 for YOU!
He nearly BANKRUPTED HEAVEN for YOU!
I will not be moved! 