Yesterday we talked about the infinite supplies of strength that are ours in God. Isn’t this amazing? By staying connected to Him we have unlimited vitality. We become, as Isaiah 58:11 prophesies, that spring whose waters never fail. Even our weaknesses are turned into strength (Heb. 11:34).
At the same time, our foe has only a limited amount of strength. When he gets worn out, he has no source of strength to turn to. He simply has to give up and accept defeat.
This is what happened in one of the most overt stories of spiritual warfare in the Bible, Jesus’ temptation. I don’t know of any other passage where we get such a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at how to win battles with the devil, as this scene in Matthew 4.
We need to remember that this was probably, up until that point, the weakest point He had faced in His human lifetime. He was exceedingly depleted after not eating for forty days. Following his usual pattern, the enemy tried to defeat Him when He was at His weakest.
Have you noticed that pattern? Is it not the case that when you and I are at our most vulnerable, the enemy tries the hardest against us? He is not interested in fighting fair. He wants to kick us when we are down.
Jesus came to show us the way to win. In His full humanity, He was no exception to this spiritual warfare pattern we endure. The enemy came when He had no strength of His own. It was completely gone. In those moments, He had to lean entirely on Holy Spirit, who had descended on Him during His baptism and remained on Him. That’s the key for us! You and I have received Holy Spirit to carry us through every day of our lives too.
Holy Spirit gave Jesus the strength He needed to “stand in the evil day” (Eph. 6:13). Holy Spirit whispered to Him the Scriptures that He needed to hold onto and fight with. Holy Spirit will do exactly the same for you and me.
Notice that the devil didn’t give up quickly. He kept trying. Many of our battles, too, are prolonged. However, Jesus kept leaning into the supernatural strength that Holy Spirit provides. As He did so, the devil’s strength was waning. Jesus kept standing and resisting, until it happened. The devil ran out of gumption, and left.
Jesus went through that intense struggle, so that He could teach us how. In any battle, remember that the devil is going to run out of strength. Even now, as you are resisting him, his strength is waning. It is hard on him that you have not given up. Keep leaning into Holy Spirit. Keep drawing near to Jesus and receiving new strength each day. Connected to Him, you will never ever run out. Each morning, His mercies are new. Each morning, He has new supplies for you.
Don’t give up, mighty warrior. No matter how intense the fight, this moment is coming: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, NIV). Remember, Jesus was able to outlast the enemy, even in His weakest moments. He set that example to inspire and encourage you and me.
You can do it, in God. Simply outlast the devil. Keep refueling as often as you need to. Keep re-charging at the charging station. Keep abiding. And every time your battery charge level increases, remember that the enemy’s is losing power by the second. He’s about to run out of strength.
“But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ” (2 Cor. 2:14, NET).
You overwhelmingly WIN!
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Do you have any observations of what it’s like when the breakthrough comes in a spiritual battle? Can you sense it when the enemy gives up and leaves?
Feeding On Jesus 