{"id":10007,"date":"2024-03-25T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/?p=10007"},"modified":"2024-03-05T15:18:42","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T20:18:42","slug":"10007","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.honestreflections.net\/index.php\/2024\/03\/25\/10007\/","title":{"rendered":"Rightful Owner"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Two-minute read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAgain, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, \u201cAll these I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.\u201d\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 4:8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rightful owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the third and last temptation from the enemy, Satan offers Jesus something He already has: authority over the Earth. Christ, as God\u2019s Son, rightfully owns all the world has. The devil has control over things temporarily, but his offer to give Jesus authority over the kingdoms of the world remains a hollow one he can\u2019t fulfill. You can\u2019t give what you don\u2019t own. The enemy\u2019s offer of idolatry falls on deaf ears, as Jesus uses scripture to respond again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBe gone,\u00a0Satan! For\u00a0it is written, \u201c\u2018You shall worship the Lord your God\u00a0and\u00a0him only shall you serve.\u2019\u201d Matthew 4:10<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Done with the devil, Jesus banishes him with three words, \u201cBe gone, Satan.\u201d\u00a0 And since we follow Christ, we can do the same thing. When we feel the enemy whispering in our ear, we can do what Jesus did and say, \u201cBe gone!\u201d\u00a0 We do have authority and victory through Christ. Jesus tells us the devil exists and he wants to destroy us. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 precisely what to do to stand firm against Satan\u2019s attacks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTherefore\u00a0take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in\u00a0the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore,\u00a0having fastened on the belt of truth, and\u00a0having put on the breastplate of righteousness,\u00a0and,\u00a0as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, take up\u00a0the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all\u00a0the flaming darts of\u00a0the evil one;\u00a0and take\u00a0the helmet of salvation, and\u00a0the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,\u00a0praying\u00a0at all times\u00a0in the Spirit,\u00a0with all prayer and supplication.\u201d Ephesians 6:13-18\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weak, hungry, and ready for a shower, Jesus stood firm against the enemy\u2019s attack. Relying on truth, protected in righteousness, carrying the gospel of peace, carrying the shield of faith, and wearing the helmet of salvation, Christ used the sword of the Spirit, God\u2019s word, to defeat Satan. And we can, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing our identity in Christ, that we belong to God\u2019s family, adopted by the blood of Christ, makes us rightful owners along with Jesus. In the Lord, we have all we need to defeat Satan and claim victory over his spiritual attacks. Stand firm today, knowing Jesus already won the battle; in Him, we find life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journal Questions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n