Three entry points

There are three control levers, or entry points, in the life of any individual:

1. What they desperately need – that is their desires,
2. What they wholeheartedly believe – that is, their beliefs, and,
3. What they dream of achieving – that is, their visions and aspirations.

In order to influence and ultimately control the decisions and choices of anyone, you must use at least a variation of one of the above levers to gain entry into their minds.

Now, the devil understands the strategic nature of these entry points and will always seek to use them to control you; so, you must learn to guard these gateways.

In the temptation of Jesus Christ, Satan tried all three entrances,

Here’s Matthew 4:1-11 for the story and brief analysis of Satan’s tactics;

The first temptation tried to exploit his desperate physical need for food – Hunger

¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

The second temptation aimed at exploiting his wholehearted belief in the scriptures

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.’”

The third temptation tried to manipulate His vision of the emancipation of humanity

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

I will zero in on the very first line of the devil’s attack, your needs, because this is where the greater majority of people are floored; only very few make it pass this point.

The first temptation of Jesus

Jesus had not eaten for 40 days. So he was hungry; very hungry. The devil knew that; and he hit Jesus very hard at that point. The problem, really was not that Jesus had not eaten for 40 days; it was that he was hungry. Satan will never use your lack against you until you begin to acutely feel that need in your life.

Whenever you are desperately in need of something, you become vulnerable in that area. Unfortunately, Satan is a master at exploiting vulnerabilities; he will try to capitalize on your felt needs to gain access and control in your life.

What do you need the most in this life? What necessities of life are lacking so seriously in your life that you can actually feel the lack? Is it money? Is it a husband? Is it children?

Whatever it is, I’d like to warn you that, if the devil is not doing so at the moment, sooner than later, he’s going to exploit that need. Therefore, you must be well prepared to defeat him whenever he makes his move.

Jesus, as always, models the victory keys for us: Tomorrow, from the His victory in the story above, I will begin to show you the 4 major weapons that Jesus used to overcome satan’s first line of attack against him.

Meanwhile, take some time to reflect on my top ten picks from last week’s most read posts:

2012 Prophecies For Nigeria
2012 New Year Message to Nigeria
Get Your Desires From God
Restoring Our Passion For God
Our God is A Good God
The Wildfire 8-Step Spiritual Renewal Procedure
When the Brook dries up…
How To Walk in Integrity
God is able to keep you from falling

Be sure to return tomorrow for a continuation of this message.

God bless you.