Next to the Name of Jesus we have the weapon of the Holy Word. One of our best examples of the power of the Word is Jesus as He goes to the wilderness to be tempted of the enemy.

Matt 4:1-11 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. KJV

Deut 8:2-3…. man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. KJV

Deut 6:16  Ye shall not tempt the LORD  your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. KJV

Deut 10:20  Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve , and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. KJV

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. KJV

   Jesus showed us, through everything He said and did, how we can properly use the weapon of the Word of God effectively

   The first test was physical. He was hungry, having fasted for an extremely long time, knowing He was facing a battle. The enemy tempted him with food. His reaction was to quote His Father’s Word. He spoke and the enemy had to give place. He SPOKE the written Word.

   The second temptation was to try to get Jesus to tempt God the Father, to challenge Him concerning His power and reality. Again, Jesus spoke the Father’s Word into the situation and the devil was unable to proceed. He SPOKE the written Word.

   Lastly, satan attempted to get Jesus to worship him and overplayed his hand completely. Jesus issues an order, GET THEE HENCE, satan, and again quotes the Word. Immediately satan obeys and leaves off tempting Him. He SPOKE the written Word.

   Immediately, after His stand, angels come to minister to Him. I like the idea of being ministered to after a severe trial.

   Several things are of note in these Scriptures.

   Just prior to Jesus going to the wilderness of temptation He insisted on being baptized of John in the River Jordan. This fact assures us that this baptism was more than just a dip in a river. A bath would not do anything but make us physically clean. This submersion was an obedience which would result in something happening and also brought forth a reward. 

Matt 3:13-17 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. KJV

• Jesus insisted on being baptized.

• He was baptized by submersion before going to the wilderness.

• His baptism pleased His Father God.

• The Father rewarded Him with the Spirit coming down upon Him.

• Only then is He led to the wilderness.

• Notice that He is led not forced to go. Choice.

• Notice that His response is to fast.

• The phrase, He is led, means He is hearing from the Spirit He has just been baptized with.

• Then, after the baptism, and after the fasting, the tempter was allowed to come.

• Then was Jesus ready. He was filled with the Spirit and filled with the Word. READY.

Prov 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. KJV

Let us speak forth Life in all situations, rather than death.

Matt 10:19-20 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak : for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. KJV

Matt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

PROCEEDETH…. Out of the mouth of GOD.

   We find that the indwelling Holy Spirit of our Father God comes and bids us speak  in Matt 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

   Of Jesus it is said in John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speakth the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

   Of Simon Peter it is said He heard from the Father. The only way to hear from the Father is via His Spirit. Matt 16:16-17 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. KJV

   1 Cor 2:12-16  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual….. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. KJV

In all situations, if we will listen, if we have read and know the Word, we can know how to speak, or when to be silent, or when it is time to take up authority over the enemy. Sometimes we have to say, Get Thee behind me satan.”