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Talking to the Devil: Diabolical Conversations

The clarity of God's word can banish the ambiguity that we find in all the
suggestions of the devil and in all the temptations that beset us.
When tempted, we must not fall for the alluring words of the tempter,
but keep ourselves firmly rooted in the word of God.

After 40 days and 40 nights of fasting, the devil tempts Jesus in the desert. The temptation of Christ is recounted in Chapter 4 of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The devil initiates the conversation: "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread." What he's suggesting is: "Use your power to get material things."

Jesus, however, doesn't enter into the devil's narrative. He doesn't say, "Well, you're right, I am the Son of God, but on the other hand... (and so on)." He refuses to enter into the ambiguity. Instead, he answers with the clarity of scripture: "It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."

The devil then takes him to the heights of the temple and tempts him again, now citing scripture himself in the temptation: "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'" Perhaps the devil suggesting that Jesus use his power to compel people to believe in him by performing wonders. Or he may be suggesting that Jesus force God's hand, compel God to act on his behalf. Whatever the temptation, Jesus again refuses to enter into it: "You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test."
The devil approaches him a third time, promising him worldly dominion, "if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." It's as if he's saying, "All can be yours, if only you would compromise your mission. Surely we can come to a win-win agreement." Again, Jesus refuses to enter the temptation narrative. He rejects it entirely, once more invoking scripture: "Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve."

What do we learn by listening in on this conversation with the Devil?

The clarity of God's word can banish the ambiguity that we find in all the suggestions of the devil and in all the temptations that beset us. When tempted, we must not fall for the alluring words of the tempter, but keep ourselves firmly rooted in the word of God.
That we can overcome the wanderings and fantasies of our imagination, which can suddenly make any temptation appear so irresistibly real and attractive, if we remain in the reality, the certitude, of God's love.
Finally, we learn to place our confidence, not in our own conversational skills, but in the power of the Spirit. After all, Jesus once told his disciples, "When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you" (Matthew 10:19).

What do you think the devil was hoping to accomplish by tempting Jesus, knowing full well that He is the Son of God?

Grace, peace and love in the name of Christ our Savior,

Colby

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

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Comment by Colby on August 5, 2012 at 12:06pm

RESISTING THE DEVIL: WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

The Apostle James says:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"
(James 4:7).

The Apostle Peter says:

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:8-9).

The Apostle Paul says:

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
... Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness."
... In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one (Ephesians 6:11,14,16).

Comment by Lina on August 5, 2012 at 9:53am: The Word of God empowers and give us strength. The devil knows what is right but he always tries to win us on his side so that, like him, we'll be losers. We should strive to know the word of God so that we are not taken unawares by the evil one. Sometimes we are fooled into thinking that the devil will leave us alone because we are saved. On the contrary, it is the saved that he strives hard to decieve so that they might fall like him. If he tempted the Son of God, who are we that he'll leave us alone?

God bless.

Comment by Rita Cullimore on August 5, 2012 at 6:08am: Colby, this blog actually goes very well with your thread in the forum on spirit, soul, body. Much can be gleaned from it. It shows resistance of Christ of Satan. It shows the lack of sin in Christ''s human life. It shows the protection of the Holy Spirit in leading Him (Christ) to a situation with Satan but shows the strengthening of Christ by the Holy Spirit.

It also lends true to *if God brings us to it, He will bring us through it.*

Blessings...

Rita

Talking to the Devil: Diabolical Conversations

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