Either the devil is not very creative or he is extremely consistent. He has employed the same three-area attack since the beginning of time, and too often we give in to the temptation and sin.

We can see his pattern in at least two Biblical examples. In observing those examples we can potentially better prepare for his inevitable attack on us. The temptations of Eve in the Garden of Eden and Jesus in the wilderness show a consistent plan of attack on the devil’s part. Let’s examine the three areas the devil likes to attack.

See Genesis 3:1-7 and Matthew 4:1-11

The Devil’s Three-Area Attack

He tempts us to gratify our physical desires.

In the Garden of Eden, the devil tempted Eve to eat from the forbidden tree and the Bible says that she “saw it was good for food.” She didn’t need another food source because she could eat from any number of other sources in the Garden. He presented the fruit in a way that created a physical desire for that particular fruit.

Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness fasting and praying.  The devil appeared to Him tempting him to satisfy His understandable hunger by turning stones to bread. After 40 days and nights fasting, Jesus was undoubtedly hungry, but the Father had sent him to the wilderness to focus on the Spiritual not the physical.

In our lives, the devil makes physical gratification almost irresistible. We do not read our Bibles and spend time in prayer because we would rather stay in bed or “veg out” in front of our computers or the TV. We eat more than we should and things we should not eat because our appetites crave them. The devil presents alcohol, sex, pornography, drugs, gluttony, and many other temptations that promise to satisfy the natural longings of our bodies.

Be aware of the vulnerabilities in your flesh.

He tempts us to focus outwardly on stuff instead of inwardly on our spiritual well-being.

Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was “pleasing to the eyes.”  Just like the forbidden fruit, the sin with which the devil tempts us is seductively attractive.  He hides from us the hideous outcome of sin that has gone to seed and feeds us the lie of sin’s attraction.

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The devil took Jesus to a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth and promised them to Jesus if Jesus would bow and worship him. He promised to give Jesus something he could not deliver, and he cannot deliver what he promises us through temptation.

Things are not as they seem when it comes to temptation. What the devil is showing you is not all he promises it is. Don’t always believe what you see, especially when the devil is running the projector.

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He tempts us to focus on ourselves and not God.

The devil told Eve that when she ate the fruit she would be as wise as God. He promised her that the fruit would end her need for God and give her what she needed to call the shots for herself. He made her believe that what she wanted was better than what God wanted for her.

The devil also tempted Jesus to draw attention to Himself by jumping from the top of the temple toward the crowded courtyard below.  He promised Jesus that God would miraculously rescue Him in front of everyone who would then immediately worship Him. He tempted Jesus to take a short cut to fame that would presumably make the cross unnecessary. The devil was wrong on all accounts.

In both cases, the devil tempted Eve and Jesus to put themselves and their agenda ahead of God and His agenda. He does the same to us. The devil uses temptation to foster in us discontentment with what God has given.

The temptation to captain our own ship packs a powerful punch. Know that the devil will do all in his power to tempt you to take short cuts to God’s best for your life. He makes obedience to God look unpleasant, unnecessary, and unproductive. Just remember…he is a liar.

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What Can I Do?

How do you combat the devil’s lies? Simple. You counter with God’s truth. Eve didn’t and she fell. Jesus did and He prevailed.

The devil succeeded in planting seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind about what God has actually said, but Jesus counterattacked the devil by quoting Scripture.

Since the truth of God’s Word is our defense against the lies of the devil, we need to invest quality time reading, studying, and memorizing that Word so that our hearts are ready. David said, “Your Word I have stored up in my heart so that I may not sin against God. How can a young man keep his way clean? By taking heed to the Word of God.” Psalm 119:9,11

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To help you further, read the following blogs about Bible Study and Memorization

Practical Ideas for Bible Study

How to Begin Investigating the Bible for Yourself

The Battle for Your Mind (with a link to my free Bible Verse Memory Plan)