Get Thee Behind Me, Satan

The desert extended endlessly, harsh and desolate, a lifeless stretch beneath the unyielding sun. Jesus, fatigued after forty days and nights of fasting, confronted a clever tempter. Though his body was frail, his spirit stayed resilient.

The devil, full of smooth words and empty promises, appeared. He tempted Jesus with offers that seemed too good to be true and offered him power, glory, and an easy way out of his suffering. Offering things that were not his to offer.  His words were enticing, promising relief and dominion.

Think of it, all the world's kingdoms in exchange for a simple act of worship. The devil showed him the world's splendor, the allure of earthly power. Who among us hasn't faced that kind of choice, that siren song of shortcuts and easy answers? The temptation to take the easy path is universal.

But Jesus, in his wisdom, understood the game. He saw through the devil's lies and deceit. He knew the devil deals in lies, in twisted half-truths designed to deceive.

This wasn't a debate, it was a confrontation of truth against falsehood. It was a test of faith, a challenge to his unwavering trust in God. And faith doesn't need to argue with falsehoods.

Faith stands firm, unshaken by the storms of deception. Faith stands firm on its foundation, rooted in truth and unyielding in the face of lies. Jesus didn't engage in a theological debate.

He didn't try to rationalize with the irrational, and he didn't waste time refuting the devil's lies. He knew that some battles are won not with words but with authority.

And Jesus, as the Son of God, had authority in spades. Get thee behind me, Satan! Four words that echoed with divine power. No argument, no justification, just a clear command.

A refusal to even dignify the lies with a response. Because sometimes, the best way to defeat a lie is to simply refuse to engage with it. Now, we may not face down the devil in the desert, but we all encounter lies in our daily lives.

They come in different forms. Gossip whispered behind our backs, online trolls spewing venom, and even the subtle lies we tell ourselves. That nagging voice of self-doubt that tells us we're not good enough, that we don't measure up, or that we will never succeed.

These lies aim to discourage us, to make us question ourselves and our worth. They seek to isolate us, to make us feel alone in our struggles. Someone might spread rumors about you at work, casting shadows on your reputation.

A friend might betray your trust, leaving you feeling hurt and confused. The internet, bless its heart, is always happy to provide a platform for anonymous negativity, amplifying the lies and making them seem larger than life. It's tempting to fight back, to defend ourselves, to prove the lies wrong.

We want to set the record straight, to show the world the truth. But remember Jesus in the desert. He faced lies and temptations with unwavering faith and strength.

Remember that sometimes the strongest response is no response at all. Walking away, finding peace within ourselves, and not letting the lies define us can be the most powerful act of all.

Don't take the bait. When you know your own truth, when you are secure in your own integrity, you don't need to waste time arguing with lies. It's like trying to wrestle a pig in the mud. You'll both get dirty, but the pig enjoys it.

Don't give the liars the satisfaction of seeing you riled up. Don't let them drag you down to their level. Instead, hold your head high.

Keep your focus on what truly matters. Your time and energy are precious. Don't waste them on proving yourself to people who have already made up their minds.

Your truth is your shield. This doesn't mean you should be passive in the face of injustice. If you see someone being harmed, speak up.

If you witness wrongdoing, call it out. But do so from a place of truth and righteousness, not from anger or a need to defend your ego. Knowing your truth, owning your story, and living with integrity.

These are the most potent weapons against lies. When you are grounded in your own truth, the lies just slide off, like water off a duck's back.

Rise above the fray. So the next time you encounter a lie, whether it's directed at you or at someone else, remember Jesus in the desert. He faced temptation and falsehoods with unwavering faith and strength. Remember that you don't have to engage.

You have the power to choose your battles wisely. You don't have to argue. Sometimes silence speaks volumes and walking away is the strongest statement you can make.

You don't have to prove anything to anyone. Your worth and truth are not dependent on others' opinions. Just stand firm in your truth.

Hold your ground with confidence and integrity. Let your actions speak louder than words. Show through your deeds what you stand for and rise above the fray.

Elevate yourself above the noise and chaos. The truth always has a way of winning in the end. And in the meantime, well, you have better things to do.

Focus on your goals and aspirations, like making the world a little brighter. Spread kindness and positivity wherever you go. One truth bomb at a time.

Each small act of truth and kindness contributes to a larger impact.

Here’s to love and light.

Rev.Leslie C.Bonner

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