Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals
Wednesday July 82026
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1 Thessalonians 3:5-For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
According to the Bible, the main way that Satan works in the world is through tempting humanity to sin. That is why Paul gives him the name “the tempter” here in 1 Thessalonians 3:5. Notice what the Bible tells us regarding the temptation of Jesus.
Matthew 4:1-3-Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
The passages tells us that Jesus was tempted by “the devil,” and then identifies the devil as “the tempter.” In the same passage, the Lord Jesus tells us the name of this tempter.
Matthew 4:10-Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND HIM ONLY YOU SHALL SERVE.’ “
All three terms (the “devil,” “the tempter,” and “Satan”) are given to the same person. We see this powerfully set out by John in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 12:9-So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
There are several things worthy of consideration here.
First, the Bible identifies Satan as a real person. He is never in the Scripture said to be a symbol or figure of speech designed to represent the “dark impulses” of humankind or angelkind. Instead, he is a real person.
Second, the word “Satan” was used in the Old Testament as someone who was an adversary or an opponent. He is not our friend, but is bent on our destruction.
Third, please notice that Satan is called the “tempter.” He studies us to find our weaknesses, looking for ways to exploit them for his benefit. He has an entire array of beings at his disposal who watch us and look for our vulnerabilities (Ephesians 6:12). The Word of God is our defense against his lies (1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Peter 1:3). .
Father, give us wisdom in recognizing the wiles of the devil. Amen.