"Satan knows what we want." Connie* stated.
Another American, Connie - a Chinese student, Nell* - a student from India and I were preparing questions to be used at the International Student Bible study we lead on Friday nights. Each Wednesday the four of us meet at a coffee shop to plan, prepare and pray. We rotate jobs, leading worship, cooking, sending out invites and facilitating the discussion.
Connie's faith, stronger than most new Christians, never ceases to bless me. Today, however, she had discovered something new in Matthew 4. It is a story about three temptations Jesus faced, and Connie’s words regarding Satan struck me like static electricity. I thought about my desires, the ones I keep pushed down inside me because I know they aren't going to lead me to a safe place, and yet I can't seem to part with them. And then I thought about how easily Satan side- swipes us by sending us easy chances to fulfill those desires. Maybe Satan temps us with just a little taste of something we know we shouldn't have, and we justify it by saying it's just this time, or it will be okay. Or maybe we actually get what we finally want! And it's just so perfect, so beautiful, we don't resist. Connie’s words reminded me that by assessing my own wants and desires, and seeing which ones of those bring God delight, I can find where Satan is aiming some of his ammo.
I reminded Connie and Nell that it's through Christ we can overcome these temptations Satan puts in our way. He did it, and now He lives in us.
Nell added these words: "Satan knows the Bible well, so we must know the Bible even better."
Once again her words sent a shock through me. If we don't know God's word, the context of what He is saying will not be clear. Reading the Bible, knowing the word of God and the continuing story of His love can give us the power to resist Satan's temptations.
Yes, Satan knows what we want, but God knows too, and He loves us.
*Names changed