An Orthodox monk made a point the other day, how anytime Jesus rebuked the devil during the Temptation in the Desert, the Lord quoted Scripture to fend him off.
The devil did this also–quoted the Bible–but when he did, he conveniently abbreviated passages, stopping before phrases that pertained to defeating evil (which of course–evil–is himself).
For example, when the devil took Jesus into Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, he said, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: ‘He will give His angels orders concerning you.'”
The entire sentence–what the devil edited–says, “For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways. On their hands they will lift you up, so that you do not strike your foot against a stone. You will walk upon the lion and cobra, You will trample the young lion and the serpent.”
That’s from Psalm 91:11-13. And brings us to this point:
The entire ninety-first Psalm may be the most power-packed chapter in the Bible against Satan, and presents us with a tremendous weapon in spiritual defense, just as Jesus did: quoting and embedding within ourselves Holy Scripture.
When tested or plagued by the forces of darkness, read it (and even when not).
(Psalm 91):
Security of One Who Trusts in the LORD.
1 One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”
3 For it is He who rescues you from the net of the trapper And from the deadly plague.
4 He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may take refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and wall.
5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the plague that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that devastates at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes And see the retaliation against the wicked.
9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, The Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will happen to you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.
11 For He will give His angels orders concerning you, To protect you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will lift you up, So that you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will walk upon the lion and cobra, You will trample the young lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he has loved Me, I will save him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
15 “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16 “I will satisfy him with a long life, And show him My salvation.”
[resources: The Bible]
