Deception in Disguise... Hide The Word In Your Hearts... After Being Tried & Tested You Are Coming Out In The Power Of The Holy Spirit

2 Corinthians 11:14, "And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."

A couple of months ago the Lord began to highlight certain scriptures He wanted me to meditate on. 2 Corinthians 11:14 so happened to be one of those scriptures. As I walked through the month of August and the beginning of September I found that the very scriptures He guided me to beforehand would be the very scriptures that would shine light on what was meant to deceive me, and get me out of alignment with truth. The Word sustained me.

What the Lord leads you into He has already prepared you for. These times become moments of testing where you are being tried and tempted at the same time.

"Then Jesus was LED UP BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS to be tempted by the devil." Matthew 4:1 (emphasis mines)

Matthew 4:1 says that it was the Holy Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by satan. Matthew 4:2 goes on to explain that Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights leaving Him hungry. Leaving Him vulnerable. It wasn't until His moment of vulnerability that Satan would come to tempt Him (Matthew 4:3). At the end of His fast where He was the most exhausted.

Satan came after Jesus identity. He came to confuse Him of He was at a time where He felt weak. He tempted Him to take the road MOST TRAVELED. The road where Jesus worship him for a lifestyle that APPEARS to be one of extragvant living. The road that strips you of your integrity. The road that requires you to bow down to the ways of the world for open door opportunities that will eventually lead you to your demise. A road that does not reflect holiness and righteousness. Satan also twisted scripture so that Jesus would challenge God according to His Word.

Please beware that Satan does not appear as one who have horns on his head. He appears as people who may seem to have your best interest at heart, but at the core of their hearts they don't mean you well. Going through their doors will eventually cost you. You'll find yourself giving up the core of who you are little by little. It's always, "I can help you but". Meaning, there is something you will have to do, don't do, or change for their help that will lead you into a compromised and corrupted life just for money or opportunities. They help you based off selfish ambition, and then some may even gossip about you. THIS ALL HAPPENS IN YOUR MOST VULNERABLE TIMES. Times where you really need a door to open, you're exhausted, or in desperately need of a breakthrough. BEWARE. IT'S HIDDEN DECEPTION!

In order to overcome and defeat the enemy in these times the WORD OF GOD must be in your heart.

Matthew 4:4 says, "But He answered and said, “IT IS WRITTEN, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (emphasis mines)

Every time Jesus opened His mouth after being tempted by satan He said... IT IS WRITTEN! He declared the LIVING WORD OF GOD, because the Word is the ABSOLUTE TRUTH! It cancels the lies of the enemy! It shines light on darkness! WHERE CONFUSION TRIED TO REIGN JESUS SPOKE THE WORD, and so should we!

Why would the Holy Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness to be tried and tempted?

Luke 4:14, "Then JESUS RETURNED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT to Galilee, and NEWS OF HIM WENT OUT THROUGH ALL THE SURROUNDING REGION." (emphasis mines)

Luke 4:14 is saying Jesus came out of the wilderness, His time of testing and trial in the power of the Holy Spirit, and His influence grew! He walked out in power He did not have before entering in because He stayed true to who He is. His wilderness was training and preparation for where He was going.

I believe too many want influence before they walked through their own wilderness. The wilderness will show you who you really are, and what areas you need to be strengthen in. Jesus proved by His stance in the wilderness that He was well prepared for the three year ministry that awaited Him.

I want to encourage you... For those that are in the wilderness, coming out the wilderness, or about to head in the wilderness, make sure that the WORD OF GOD IS IN YOUR HEARTS, and not just lip service. It was the Word that sustained Jesus!

What you're going through isn't for nothing! The Lord will use it all. There are people who will need to hear your testimony. There are people who need to be set free, and the Lord wants to send you. You're coming out in the power of the Holy Spirit! The crushing isn't for nothing!