GET THEE BEHIND ME, SATAN NO. 1
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:13-17). “Immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness” (Mark 1:9-12; Luke 4:1) “to be tempted of the devil.” (Matthew 4:1). “And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan;….” (Mark 1:13; Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2). Some have suggested that Jesus could not have been tempted. However, Hebrews 4:15 confirms this story, saying, our “high priest…was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” My father, James Andrew Pilgrim, Sr., used to tell us that when man and God disagree, always go with God because He will always be right. Cf. Titus 1:2. The stories of Matthew, Mark and Luke stand or fall together. If Jesus were not tempted, what other part can we believe?
Jesus faithfully overcame each temptation Satan hurled at Him, using the scriptures, saying, “It is written.” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). Hopefully, dear student, you will do the same. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Jesus knew that the devil did not have what he claimed in each temptation. He also knew that he could not deliver what he did not have. Also, Jesus knew that “the wiles of the devil” were just that, trickery. (Ephesians 6:11). Jesus saw Satan for what he was, a beguiler (2 Corinthians 11:3), who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). In short, Jesus knew Satan was a LIAR. He even described him as such in John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Subtil Satan has not changed since he lied to Eve. (Genesis 3:1ff). He will lie to you as he has to so many others, including Jesus. See him for what and who he is, and deal with him accordingly. Jesus told the devil, “Get thee hence, Satan” (Matthew 4:10) or as Luke puts it, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” (Luke 4:8). Luke 4:13 says, “And when the devil had ended all the temptations, he departed from him for a season.” Notice, that the devil left “for a season.” Do not get comfortable, thinking that a victory or two will drive Satan away permanently. He will be back again and again until you die.
Realize the reality of the devil, and see him as the LIAR he is. However, know that you can overcome him with the word of God; God will not leave you helpless. Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Use the word of God, and simply and forcefully tell the deceiver to, “Get behind me, Satan.”
When Satan seeks to deceive you, telling you that there is no God, remember that he is a LIAR! He knows God exists, and he even acknowledged that God exists when he deceived Eve. (Genesis 3:1, 5). He called Him God twice. Remember Satan’s talk WITH God about Job. (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). The LIAR had two people whom he possessed who called “Jesus, thou Son of God.” James 2:19 says, “the devils also believe and tremble.” Satan knows “there is a God in heaven” (Daniel 2:28), because Jesus said he saw “Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Luke 10:18), God’s dwelling place. (2 Chronicles 6:20). The devil even discussed the body of Moses with Michael the archangel. (Jude 9).
The awful devil will seek to keep you by lying to you, telling you that you should not become a Christian, at least not now. He may deceive you into thinking that you have plenty of time to do this. He again proves himself to be a liar, because he obviously is well-versed. (Matthew 4:1ff). He knows that God alone knows how much time remains. (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32). Consider the number of infants through younger adults who have died. Further, think of all the means by which people die today. One who leaves home has no guarantee of returning. Witness the accidents, murders in and around you, shootings in schools, church services, suicide bombers, and all the rest. This moment is all you have. (James 4:13-17; Proverbs 27:13). Do not let the LIAR rob you of your soul. Obey God, and fight the father of liars. Help save friends, family, and all whom you may.
Satan will try to destroy you by telling you that Christianity robs you of a life of fun. Really?! LIAR!! God speaks of the pleasures of sin, but He shows the end of such, death. (1 Timothy 5:6; Romans 6:23). God also describes “the pleasures of sin” as “for a season.” (Hebrews 11:25). He used Moses to show, “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.” (Verse 26). Moses looked around, weighed the evidence, and chose the rewards of serving God over the vast riches Egypt had to offer. (Read verses 24-29). Look around you. Who are the truly happy people? All mentally competent people know that we are in a sexual revolution of every kind. The devil would have you believe that you can do what you want, with whomever, when, where, and how you desire, stating that there are no rules. This was not true under the Old Testament (Exodus 20:14). Neither is it true today. Sexual sins, whether lust or an actual act will keep one out of the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21; Matthew 5:28-32). Read James 1:14, 15. “Do not err, my beloved brethren.” (Verse 16). The same may be said of all other kinds of sin. (Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Revelation 21:8). These things will keep you out of the kingdom of God.
The wiley one will tell you that drugs, whether alcohol, tobacco, or any of the others, will bring you pleasure. Some do look so happy while “enjoying” them. However, consult their families. How do hungry, abused, and unloved and neglected families feel? Check with broken homes. Ask for recommendations from partakers of these things when they are suffering or dying from such. Where are law officers found working? Whose names are on the court records? Who are in our jails? Pens?
The one for whom hell was prepared, “the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41), will seek to keep you from doing the work of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58). He will place before you many appealing things, some of which are not wrong within themselves. How much work of the Lord are you failing to do because you love watching TV, watching or participating in sports, involved in civic affairs, working, and so much more? Satan may keep us so busy in other things that we have no time left to “visit the fatherless and widows” (James 1:27), the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, imprisoned (Matthew 25:34-46), needy brethren (1 John 3:17, 18), teaching the lost (Mark 16:15, 15), restoring the needy (Luke 15:3-10), and so much more. Sadly, this preacher has had a number of husbands and/or wives to tell him of their sorrow of failing to be what they should while their precious children were at home. Some have indicated that they would set better examples if they could turn the clock back.
The evil dictator, Adolph Hitler, in 1925, is credited with saying that a lie spoken long enough and loud enough would be believed. Whether he said this or not, he certainly believed and practiced these sentiments. Look at the evils his ungodly words and deeds caused Germany and the world. Many people continue to suffer the consequences of his sinful mind and actions. Far greater than any impact Hitler had, consider the sad state of affairs our world suffers due to the lies of the devil. Would to God each person would tell the devil, “Get thee behind me, Satan”, and mean exactly what Jesus did. Will you do so, right now, dear studious reader? Faith is necessary to please God. (Hebrews 11:6; John 8:24). Faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17). The believer is led to repent. (Acts 17:30, 31). One then confesses his/her faith in Christ (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9, 10), and is then buried in baptism (Acts 8:38, 39; Romans 6:1-5) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) to enter the church, the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13; Acts 2:41, 47; Ephesians 1:22, 23). Call the one who gave you this study, or get in touch with the one whose name appears hereon, or some member of the church of Christ in your community to assist you.
It Is Written 