POINT 2 – THE OPPOSITION TEST
Just like the Israelites had to overcome the giants to take the promised land, remember that Jesus also had to overcome 3 giants. He had 3 different tests to pass to overcome.
Do you remember what the first test was? (Allow the child to answer: the Submission Test). The other two were the Opposition Test, and the Resurrection Test. Remember, we will also have to pass these same tests to overcome the enemy in our life. We’ve talked about the Submission test, so now let’s talk about the Opposition Test.
What does the word OPPOSITION mean? (Allow the child to answer.)
It means to disagree or resist. To not give in to someone or something. Typically, when we play an athletic game, basketball for example, we play against the OPPOSING team. That team is coming against us, trying to beat us. We have to play hard and fight back so our team will win and beat the OPPOSING team.
The enemy brought opposition and temptation against Jesus to try to get Him to sin. The enemy opposed Jesus and he opposes us today. He will bring opposition and temptation against us too. He will try to get us to lie when we get in trouble, to behave wrongly when we are mad, to say something mean to a friend or brother or sister, to disobey our parents and teachers. He will try to get us to oppose Jesus and His ways and commands for us. But, we have hope, because Jesus passed the Opposition Test. And, because Jesus passed the Opposition Test, and stood up against the enemy, so can we. We can STAND up against the enemy.
Jesus resisted the enemy when he brought oppositions and temptations against Jesus, and Jesus also used the Word of God against the enemy. The Bible tells us in Ephesians chapter 6 verse 17 that the Word of God is like a two-edged sword, a weapon to use against the enemy. When the enemy would try to oppose and tempt Jesus, Jesus would speak the Word of God out loud to the devil. In Matthew 4, when Jesus was being opposed and tempted by the enemy, he started every sentence with, “It is written…” He was telling the enemy what the Word of God said. God’s Words are POWERFUL, more powerful than the devil, and His words are promises. We know that He is faithful to fulfill His promises, ALWAYS. This is why the Word of God is like a weapon against the enemy, because God keeps His promises to us who believe and trust in Jesus. We have the same power and authority that Jesus had to overcome the enemy when we speak the word of God. In Luke 10:19, Jesus says, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over ALL the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” We can STAND up against the enemy and defeat him, just like Jesus did!
Discussion Questions
- Do you remember what the word OPPOSITION means? (Allow the child to explain)
- Can you remember a time that you have had opposition from someone or something? (Allow child to answer)
- How has the enemy opposed you or tempted you recently? How? (Allow the child to share)
- Did you overcome or beat him? If so, how did you do that? (Allow the child to share)
We can take authority over all the things the devil brings in opposition against us. We can tell fear and worry, and stress and anger, and sadness to get out of us, in the name of Jesus. We can tell him to silence his voice. We have power and authority against the enemy!
Scripture memory verse:
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” – Luke 10:19
Prayer: Jesus, we thank you for passing the Opposition Test against the enemy. We thank you for showing us how we can do the same. Holy Spirit we ask you to help us to be strong, to STAND up against the enemy, to resist him, to speak the Word of God when he comes against us and opposes us. We thank you for giving us the authority over the enemy and promising us that nothing will hurt us. Help us to be brave and bold to believe and trust these truth-filled words. Help us to remember that your words in the Bible, the Word of God, is our weapon against the enemy, that it is a two-edged sword. Help us to remember your Word when we read it, so we may speak it in times when we need it to defeat the enemy. In Jesus’s name we pray, amen.