The Tempter (Satan) wants nothing more than for you and me to worship and follow him instead of God.  He even tried to tempt Jesus to worship him (Mt. 4:9).    If the Tempter will tempt Jesus in this manner, what makes us think that he won’t do the same with us?   Truth is he’s always at work trying to tempt us to abandon God’s purpose for our life.

It’s interesting that in their encounter recorded in Matthew 4, both Satan and Jesus quote scripture.   4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”   5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:  “‘He will command his angels concerning you,  and they will lift you up in their hands,  so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'”  7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”  (Mt. 4:4-6 NIV)

It’s not surprising that Jesus would quote scripture, but you may be surprised that Satan would quote scripture.  What’s the point?  The Tempter will even twist scripture in order to tempt, deceive and trick us.  What’s the solution?  Learn what God says in His Word; hide it in your heart and mind by memorizing it so it will be available to you in times of temptation.   As  Ps 119:11 NIV states:  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.    Start memorizing a verse a week; there are many scripture memory programs available online.

Everyone faces temptation.  1 Cor 10:13  NASB says:  No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.    Often the best way of escape for me has been to “run” from the temptation, but in addition to this there have been many times when God has brought a particular scripture to my mind during the midst of a temptation that’s helped me resist that temptation.   The Word of God is our offensive weapon against tempation.

By the way – 1 Cor. 10:13 and Ps 119:11 would be good verses to start memorizing.