“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
In this exploration, we embark upon the journey through Matthew 4. The guiding wisdom here is revealed within each stage of the trials faced by our master teacher, Jesus.
These trials serve to clarify the vital preparations necessary for your spiritual evolution. However, there looms an adversary, a formidable entity that relentlessly challenges and defeats ordinary individuals. This adversary is skilled at imposing chaos and misfortune into the lives of the unprepared.
You may be brimming with potential, equipped with grand aspirations, yet oblivious to the adversary you currently face, and the one that awaits in the future. To tread this path, to undertake this vast journey, mental and spiritual fortification is critical. This deep understanding was a trait embodied by Jesus, as it would be by any transcendent being.
1 Peter 5:8 urges us to 'Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.' You've undoubtedly heard of this enemy, "The Devil", but understanding him remains elusive. How can you vanquish an adversary whose nature you don't fully comprehend?
The trials faced by our master teacher highlight the role and significance of this adversarial entity. Without this opposition, the event loses its dignity, its value. Therefore, it is imperative we delve into understanding who or what Satan, The Devil, is, and why Jesus chose to fast and face this adversary's trials.
In the realm of ordinary men, Satan is assigned numerous titles:
Devil…
Adversary…
Accuser…
Deceiver…
Antichrist…
Satan is referred to as “The Accuser” in Job 1:6 and Zechariah 3:1. When delving into these instances, we see two striking elements: firstly, wherever "The Spirit" resides, be it within Angels or the Sons of God, Satan is present. Secondly, his presence is not met with revulsion but neutrality by the LORD, Angels, and Sons of God. Despite our preconceived notions, Satan's role is necessary. He administers the trials, the spiritual tests. Although he lacks respect, there is no outright hostility between Spirit and Satan, despite their apparent conflict.
These elements need to be underscored as the conventional binary concept of Good and Evil oversimplifies the complex relationship between God and Satan. Misconceptions borne out of this oversimplification often drive people to commit atrocities in the name of God, under the misguided guise of "Good" battling "Evil".
Returning to Zechariah 3:1, we see that even with Satan by his side, the Angel has the final word. While Satan’s accusations hold accuracy, they are devoid of context, indifferent to life, and 'The Way'. Satan does not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. This forms the crux of his opposition to God. God embodies life, yet life remains absent from Satan’s evaluations and resolutions. Satan operates purely on mechanical, self-interested objectivity.
Jesus said, "Know that the heavenly realm is both inside you and outside you, and you will know that which is outside by that which is inside." Christ signifies “Spirit”, hence, Satan being the Antichrist is interpreted as “Anti-Spirit”.
Satan is present both within and outside us, just as the heavenly realm exists. However, the idea of acknowledging Satan's presence within us might be discomforting, especially since we’ve been conditioned to perceive him as an enemy, as evil, and to harbor hatred towards him. We readily accept the presence of a spirit within us but are averse to the notion of harboring a Satan within. Nonetheless, it remains undeniable that there exists an entity within us that excels at precise evaluation, accusation, deception, image creation, susceptibility to illusions, and spiritual opposition. This spiritual adversary is the Mind.
A simplistic, external perception of Satan can be attributed to traditional interpretations and conditioning that strongly dissuade us from associating with 'The Enemy.'
However, our understanding isn't rooted in presumptions. Despite popular depictions of Satan as a red-skinned, horned, fiery-tailed deity wielding a trident, causing worldly havoc, such portrayals find little support in the Bible or the basic principles of spirituality. The reality is that Heaven, and by extension, Satan, exist both outside and within us. Our choice lies in acceptance and transcendence or denial and stagnation.
Sun Tzu, in the 'Art of War', said, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” This resonates deeply with our understanding of Satan.
If Satan's influence pervades our mind while our spirit is frail, his influence will always triumph, echoing the distressing truth that we are merely children of Satan. Satan embodies an untamed, primal mind that dwells in darkness, oblivious and indifferent to life.
Therefore, when you're urged to repent, it doesn't signify remorse over past wrongs and a commitment to avoid them in the future. Repentance is about changing your mind, as stated in Romans 12:2.
In addition to contending with our minds, we are often influenced by the untamed minds of others. As those ignorant of history are destined to repeat it, individuals oblivious to the Satan within are susceptible to becoming him, unknowingly repeating life's turmoil. They refuse to identify their flaws, reveal their weaknesses, and master themselves. All this to evade judgment and oppression, thereby choosing stagnation, or worse, regression over growth and progress. A truly perilous alternative.
The Temptation of Jesus embodies the use of the Spirit to overcome the Mind, a profound teaching that echoes throughout eternity.
Venturing into the tempest of your mind can be a daunting challenge. More so, when the tempest morphs into a beast, obliterating your sense of self and transforming you into an entity teetering on the brink of self-destruction. This state of mental upheaval, despair, and distortion is what Christ grappled with during his forty days and nights in the wilderness. As he wrestled with the desperate, deluded, and destructive manifestation of his psyche, he paved the way for humanity to understand the gravity of the battle each of us faces. This blog post aims to unpack this profound narrative and offer insights that can illuminate your path towards self-mastery and personal power.
"Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." - Jesus.
These powerful words spoken by Jesus remind us of the necessity to be our own strongest ally. Every step we take on our journey to self-improvement and mastery requires unity within ourselves. The essence of who we are - our spirit - is a force capable of shifting mountains. In contrast, our mind is an architect that can construct remarkable power structures. When these two potent forces synergize, they create wonders that enhance our lives and the lives of those around us.
However, this synergy doesn't happen organically. The mind needs to be trained, conditioned to stand by your spirit, to share its perception of life, and respond to adversity in a supportive manner. The mind is an ever-present ally, one that can either propel you forward or hold you back, depending on how well it is conditioned.
The Wilderness of Psychosis and the Need for a Fighting Spirit
A mind left unchecked can plunge into the abyss of psychosis, resulting in paranoia, hallucinations, and a tormenting inner dialogue. This tumultuous mental landscape can lead you to isolate yourself, to feel alienated from the world, and see enemies where there are none. This isolation, this stagnation, can distort your perception of reality, causing you to lose sight of your accomplishments, no matter how small. In the face of such adversity, it is imperative to step out, to witness the beauty of life and counteract the destructive self-talk.
But where is the spirit in all this? How does it combat the relentless onslaught of this personal Satan? The spirit reminds us of the goodness of life, the joyous moments, the grace extended to us, and the progress we've made. Satan, in its shortsightedness, ignores the essence of life, focusing instead on the shadows. The spirit, therefore, must step in, remind the mind of its duty to serve and support the higher self, and ensure life is considered in all its fullness.
Preventive measures are crucial when navigating such treacherous mental terrain. Panic is not the appropriate response to hardship. Instead, facing challenges equipped with knowledge, refined skills, and sharp reflexes is a more pragmatic approach.
Demigods, according to mythology, are beings with divine and mortal characteristics. Their understanding of Satan, and by extension, the human mind, offers valuable insights into self-mastery. They perceive insanity and psychosis as the adversaries that transform the mind into 'The Enemy.' Refinement and healing, they propose, are the remedies to restore the mind to its rightful status as a master tool, aiding humanity in fulfilling its divine mandate of managing the world.
Biblical Verses and Their Significance
The Demigods often reference biblical verses to underline their philosophy. 1 Peter 1:21, for instance, encapsulates the central premise of the Bible. On the otherhand, Hebrews 4:15 sums up the essence of Matthew 4, emphasizing that Christ, despite living a human life with all its trials and tribulations, harnessed the Way of God to conquer adversity. Similarly, we too can surmount the challenges life throws at us, provided we utilize the Way of God with genuine intent and conscious action.
The Temptation of Jesus and Its Relevance to Our Lives
Jesus's forty-day fast and subsequent temptation underscore his resolve to confront and overcome the inherent pitfalls of human nature. Where many advocate for mindfulness, meditation, and fasting to combat mental disturbances, Jesus intentionally confronted his 'enemy' head-on. He faced desperation, delusion, and selfishness with unyielding resilience, testing his unwavering faith in the Way of God against the ferocious onslaught of a desperate mind.
The Way of God promises prosperity, minimizes trouble, and provides strategies to overcome challenges. To test its true power, one must pit it against formidable adversities. What worth does the Way of God have if it crumbles under the first sign of hardship? Jesus sought this test deliberately, aiming to employ the Way of God to conquer the same struggles faced by common people. If successful, he could help elevate humanity from its trials and tribulations.
Becoming a Demigod: Mastering the Self
If you tread the path Jesus walked, you'll find the foundations of your life fortifying, your power growing. To transcend from mere mortal to a Demigod, you must first master yourself, and this mastery is incomplete until you've consistently overcome the three major pitfalls of human nature: fear, immature thinking, and ego. As Miyamoto Musashi wisely said, "If you do not control the enemy, the enemy will control you." Taking control of these pitfalls, consciously directing our thoughts, actions, emotions, and reactions, is the first step towards self-mastery.
Much like a complex game, navigating the world requires more than mere guesswork. It requires understanding, control, and deliberate action. Fear, immature thinking, and ego can cripple your ability to shape your reality. Hence, these were the first obstacles Jesus sought to overcome before embarking on his mission. With the Way of God as his guiding principle, he overcame these obstacles and set out to fulfill his divine mandate.
But the question is: Do you genuinely want to harness the power of the Demigod within you? Are you ready to step away from destructive habits and embrace a higher quality of life? If so, the wisdom of the Demigods as encapsulated in Matthew 4 awaits you. This wisdom, if embodied and integrated into your life, can lay the foundation for a journey of self-mastery and personal power. Are you ready to take the plunge?
“Know that the heavenly realm is both inside you and outside you, and you will know that which is outside by that which is inside.”
“The enemy only has images and illusions, behind which he hides his true motives. Destroy the image and you will break the enemy.”