4 Important Steps to Stop the Devil in His Tracks

Jesus: fully God fully man

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16

From his birth to his death, Christ experienced the reality of living in a fallen world. He experienced the difficulties of everyday life. He knows the taste of rejection and of hate. He understands what it feels like to want to be accepted and loved. Christ went through it all, every temptation, every test, every feeling that we’ve ever felt; He’s fought them and won.

The best depiction of this, which also serves as a blueprint is (Matthew 4:1-11) where Satan tempts Christ. Jesus was led up by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil, and after fasting for forty days and forty nights, the devil came to tempt him. But every time Christ was tempted, he responded with The Word of God.

But he answered and said, It is written, MAN SHALL NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. Matthew 4:4

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, THOU SHALT NOT TEMPT THE LORD THY GOD. Matthew 4:7

The said Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written THOU SHALT WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD, AND HIM ONLY SHALT THOU SERVE. The devil leaveth him, and behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:10-11

The devil will not always leave you alone the first time you reject him, he will continue to tempt you and bum barred your mind, but with consistency, a submitted heart and the word of God, you will have victory. James 4:7 says “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

4 Important Steps to Stop the Devil in His Tracks

1. Pause and take inventory.

When you take inventory, you take stock or asses the situation. To take inventory requires transparency and honesty with yourself and God. You cannot be in denial.

In this time you are assessing the damage and asking yourself key questions like, what lie(s) have I made true? How has it affected me? Why did I believe that lie? What root problem is this pointing to? And, how has this hindered my progress in Christ?

After some honest reflection, go to God in prayer. Be honest with God, tell him about your new found discoveries, address the root problem, and ask for help. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” Matthew 7:7

Someone in the Bible that took inventory was the tax collector in the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector (read Luke 18:9-14) Two men went into the temple, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed boastfully. While the tax collector stood afar off with a lowly spirit and said: “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

2. Remember what God said.

After you have taken inventory and examined yourself, it is time to search The Word of God.
Whatever it is that you are lacking, whatever it is that you need help with; find it in The Word of Truth. This is also the time where you remember what He has done for you in the past. This builds your confidence and reassures your faith and trust in God. In doing so, it clears up your mind and you are now able to rightly divide a lie from the Truth. It also breaks down the barrier between you and God.

It is also important to remember what God had told you specifically, that thing that He has impressed upon your heart to do. The devil has a way of subtly sending distractions our way; in the form of confusion, fear, procrastination, worry, circumstances and even people. So it is vital that we take actuate inventory to detect these distractions. After finding them, gain your strength back by combating it with God’s promises. If you’re worried, confused, or fearful, whatever it is, find victory verses in The Bible.

3. Memorize it.

When you memorize something, you can close your eyes and recall that information in its correct sequence of order. This is crucial because, the devil will try to make you forfeit God’s promise, and you can only have victory if you can rightly divide the Word of Truth.

Psalm 119:11 says “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Memorizing what once was forgotten is arguably the most important step. You are now transferring God’s Word from short-term to long-term memory; by meditating, and constantly working it into your mind.

4. Make Adjustments

Adjust. Adjust. Adjust. After you have done all the necessary work to combat the lie once believed, now it is time to make adjustments, by putting your faith in action. You are essentially doing the opposite of what you were doing before. For example, if you were confused, you have regained your mind by reading His Word and putting it into memory, as well as remembering what direction He wanted you to go in, and actively going that way. 

This is the most humbling stage because you get to see how easily you fall and how much you really really need Jesus. Very few people make adjustments and stick to it the very first time, but with persistence and a willing heart, victory is yours. Don’t give up. Don’t be discouraged.  Keep picking up where you left off, continue seeking God and you will see you through.

Proverbs 24:16 says “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.”