But he answered, “It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  (St. Matthew 4:4)

We know there are other ways that God gives us to combat the enemy for example prayer, fasting, praise and worship, putting on the whole armour of God, etc.  But for now, I will focus on using the Sword, which is the Word of God, as our weapon to defeat the enemy. 

 After Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, He was hungry.  Satan’s first temptation to Jesus was designed to exploit His human, physical appetite. He challenges Jesus to turn rocks into loaves of bread if He is the Son of God. Satan knew Jesus was God’s Son, but so did Jesus. The point of the temptation was to tempt Jesus into acting independently of God the Father.  Satan’s goal was to cause Jesus to sin through exercising His own will instead of the Father’s. Jesus understood clearly that the Father meant for Him to endure temptation in His physically weakened condition. Jesus answered Satan, It is written... (with the Word).

Jesus faces three temptations from Satan. Each one attempts to lure Christ into abusing His power; to take immediately what God the Father has promised to provide later. Jesus resisted each temptation with a quote from Deuteronomy, refusing to rebel against the plans of God the Father. Finally, Jesus refuses to worship the devil in exchange for the kingdoms of the earth. He commands the devil to leave, and angels come minister to Him.

The devil is still up to his same old tactics. He wants us to act on our own, fulling our own wills and not that of the Father. If Jesus had to use the Word to defeat the enemy, why do we think we can just resist in our own power? Even our prayers must line up with the Word. Our prayers become so much more powerful when we pray the Word. James 4:7 says, "Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee."

We need to experience the glory of God’s Presence to shatter strongholds and set captives free. We must learn to enter God's presence in breakthrough prayer; creating a spiritual atmosphere in which He moves mightily to heal, deliver, and transform lives. 

When we use the Word of God, Satan and every demonic force must flee. This is why even Jesus answered the devil with God’s Word.

Jesus passed His tests, will you?  Or you passing?  If not,  find Scriptures in the area that Satan is tempting you and continue to use them until the enemy flees and you have been set free. Satan will come back with temptations, but the remedy is the same, the Word. Write Scriptures on 3X5 cards and pull them out on the enemy like you have a weapon because you do. The Word is a weapon against the enemy. Intentionally memorize Scripture to combat the forces of evil.  Equip yourself to win and not be defeated. There will be more tests to come, we can’t be over prepared. David said, "God’s Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Him." 

We can’t be haughty or proud. The Bible tells us pride comes before the fall. Even he that thinks he stands, watch out… the devil is like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour, who we must resist steadfast in the faith with the Word. We can have Spiritual Breakthrough using the Word of God.

 Isaiah 43:19 --- Behold I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. We have the tools for victory, use the Sword (which is the Word of God) for Your Spiritual Breakthrough!