Every time Jesus encountered Satan or his demons, He responded with
calm, authoritative words. This began at His initial encounter with
Satan in the wilderness just after His baptism.
Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, to cast Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple and to bow down and worship him. Each time Jesus defeated him not with a display of power but with His words. But they weren't just any words; they were Scripture.
Every time after this that Jesus encountered evil in His ministry, He responded the same way. He spoke with authority, and the demons had to leave.
Can you imagine the awed excitement with which Jesus's disciples heard Him say, "You want to do the same things you've seen Me do? You want to preach the good news, heal people, cast out demons, and raise the dead? Yes, you can! It's time for you to go and do it" (see Matthew 10:8).
I can picture them going out two by two perhaps wondering if it would work.
So what does this mean for you and me? What does Jesus as our divine example show us about dealing with evil?
Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, to cast Himself down from the pinnacle of the temple and to bow down and worship him. Each time Jesus defeated him not with a display of power but with His words. But they weren't just any words; they were Scripture.
Every time after this that Jesus encountered evil in His ministry, He responded the same way. He spoke with authority, and the demons had to leave.
Can you imagine the awed excitement with which Jesus's disciples heard Him say, "You want to do the same things you've seen Me do? You want to preach the good news, heal people, cast out demons, and raise the dead? Yes, you can! It's time for you to go and do it" (see Matthew 10:8).
I can picture them going out two by two perhaps wondering if it would work.
So what does this mean for you and me? What does Jesus as our divine example show us about dealing with evil?
- Have no fear or anxiety. We have absolutely no need to experience fear or anxiety in our encounters with Satan or his kingdom of darkness. (See Peter 5:8.)
- Fill your mind and heart with God's Word.
- Remain focused on what God gives you to do. CN
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