We read in Matthew 4:1-11 how Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted by the devil. Jesus was physically weak because he hadn’t eaten in 40 days, but he was not weak in the Word of God. He declared the Word to dismiss every temptation the devil presented him with. We have the Word of God too that we can use to counter the devil’s temptations toward us. This is one of the main reasons why we need to know the Word of God and have some of it memorized so we can say, “IT IS WRITTEN!” when we are tempted.

There are a few verses I’ve learned over the years that I put together and use when the tempter comes around with his lies. The Bible says that, “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8). Notice it says “as” a roaring lion which means he’s faking it trying to fool us. So, he’s looking for someone to attack; someone who is weak and doesn’t know the Word. So we have to be prepared at all times because the devil is out there looking and he knows our weaknesses.

So, here is the prayer I pray, the one I forcefully declare when I feel the tempter is trying to drag me off the Path into a sin:

“Devil, greater is He who is in me than you who is in the world! (1 John 4:4). I’ve been given authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all your power and nothing by any means is going to harm me! (Luke 10:19). I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! (Philippians 4:13) and I have submitted to God and I now resist you in the name of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord! (James 4:7). So, I stand here in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11) and I command you to shut up and get out of my way, IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS!”

When I pray and declare this prayer, I can feel the power of the Holy Spirit in me rise up and the temptation seems to dissipate. But I have to pray it, I have to declare it with force. If I don’t, I may be dragged away. “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” (James 1:14). We don’t have time to call our pastor or go look up verses to use, we have to know them and have them ready, “the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

There are other verses that can be used to resist the devil, but these are the ones that are in my mind and are effective in my battles. I offer this prayer to you as a weapon for you to use in your battles. “So that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to STAND.” (Ephesians 6:13).