Taking the Defense Against the Devil's Temptations
By: Bruce Wilkinson
The truth of the matter is this: Only when you deeply believe in the actual ongoing and deceitful attacks and temptations
of satan and his forces against you will you really look for answers. Obviously, this subject is much too broad
to be fully covered in this short course, but here are a number of the main defensive solutions against the devil's
temptations in your life:
1. Don't give place to the devil--especially through your anger.
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place (ground or opportunity)
to the devil". Ephesians 4:26-27
If you let your anger run out of control, or harbor it overnight, or seek vengeance--satan will tempt you more
from the "ground" or place you have given him through that anger. Angry with anyone? Additionally, through
continual sin in a particular area, you are giving "place" to satan to more and more freely attack you.
These areas are the toughest areas of temptation to defeat only because of your long standing pattern of sin in
those areas. As a particular "place" is cleansed, the temptations to sin decrease rapidly in number and
intensity. Don't give place to the devil!
2. Don't be ignorant of the devil's devices nor let him take advantage of you--especially forgive others
"To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for
your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant
of his devices". 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
If you are ignorant of satan's normal methods (devices) of attacking and tempting everyone including you, satan
will take advantage of you. He will get away with inflicting more pain and suffering and destruction than he could
have if you had known his ways and therefore stopped his onslaught. In particular, unforgiveness harbored in the
believer's heart releases unnecessary temptation and attack--harboring any unforgiveness?
3. Don't be foolish in your sexual life by doing anything which weakens your self control or satan will take advantage
and tempt you unnecessarily.
"Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to
fasting and prayer; and come together again, that satan tempt you not for your incontinency". 1 Corinthians
7:5
If you are experiencing attacks and temptations from the enemy in your sexual life, then you may be experiencing
unconnected and persistent lustful internal thoughts or you may be facing other temptations through people who
purposefully and persistently tempt you to immorality even when you flee from it and them.
4. Don't be unprepared and try to live even one day without your complete armor.
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate
of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; And above all, taking the shield
of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,"
Ephesians 6:13-18a
The greatest defensive protection against your enemy is the "whole armor of God" as it is available
for the very purpose "that you may be able to withstand in the evil day". Each piece is strategic, each
is necessary, and each must be "put on" or else it is not on and you are unprotected!
5. Don't be naive regarding false teachers who are deceitful workers of satan:
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving
heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with
a hot iron; Forbiding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with
thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." 1 Timothy 4:1-3
Some of the faith will "depart from the faith" by giving heed or paying attention to "deceiving
spirits and doctrines of demons!" When believers get involved with false religions or cults they open themselves
up to satanic temptations and attack.
6. Memorize and meditate on the key Bible passages directly related to where you are being attacked:
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my
whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that
I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:9-11
As the enemy most frequently attacks through deceit and twisting the clear teachings and truths of the Bible,
a solid knowledge of the Word of God is invaluable. Memorization and meditation and daily reading of God's Word
are a must.
7. Pray and fast for victory for yourself and others especially in heavy temptations:
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always
with all prayer supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints". Ephesians 6:17-18
Prayer is a most powerful weapon in your warfare with the enemy. Plead with the Father to hinder the enemy on
your behalf. Ask the Lord to thwart his plans and destroy his effectiveness.
Morning Bible reading:
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever
therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The
spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Morning Prayer
Dear God,
I awaken with You on my mind, oh my Savior and Lord. How wonderful are Your affections to me and how magnificent
are Your gifts for me. The gift of my salvation will be continuously unwrapped for all eternity--how can I ever
express my gratitude and love? Then I remember that you made this world as man's dwelling place--everywhere I look,
I see Your creativity and flair for intricate beauty.
Lord, I desire to love You and not the world or the things of the world. I covet you--and You who dwell in me
are earnestly jealous for me. How can these things be except by your grace and mercy! I therefore deny the things
of the world system especially the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life which are not
from You. Lord, I want to make myself more and more of Your friend. Lead me in the way.
Afternoon Bible reading
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit
the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Galatans 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 22 But the fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Afternoon Prayer
Dear Lord,
How often have I lived my life in the flesh! In fact, I so seldom "set my mind on things of the Spirit"--no
wonder that my life shows so little fruit of the Spirit like "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." How I long for the character of Christ rather than the fruit
of my flesh!
I confess the sin of living in my flesh rather than in the Spirit. I admit I have tried to improve my "flesh"
rather than crucify it! I have sought to pamper my flesh rather than "put it off" and "put on"
the new man in Christ. Lord, the ways of the flesh don't bring life nor joy but selfishness and distress. I repent
and confess my sin. I choose to walk in the Spirit so that I will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Thank You
for Victory through Your Holy Spirit.
Evening Bible Reading
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will
draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole
armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places.
Evening Prayer
Dear Great Warrior who Defeated all Enemies,
I bow in humility before You. I kneel, no I fall prostrate before You. None is like You in all the universe.
You have defeated Your enemies. You have defeated my enemies. None can stand before Your Victory. I submit to you
in all things and resist the enemy.
I am committed to personal holiness in times of temptation and therefore seek to "be strong in the Lord
and the power of His might" to "be able to stand against the whiles of the devil." Lord, I confess
my enemy has overrun me so many times because I have not heeded Your warnings nor put on Your armor and put it
on piece by piece. I am strong in the power of Your Might!
Yes, Lord!
