Christian Healing Ministry - Devotionals

Devotional for March 5, 2026

WINNING THE BATTLE OF THE FLESH

SCRIPTURE READING - 📖 Matthew 4:1-2

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.”

Additional Verses

📖 Isaiah 58:1-12; Luke 4:1-30; Matthew 17:14-21

It is only through prayer and fasting that we can win the battle of the flesh. The Son of God, our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ had to go through all tests, following which He was glorified. From birth, His father and mother, Joseph and Mary could not find anywhere decent where Jesus Christ could be born. According to Luke 2:1-7, Jesus Christ the Messiah was born in a manger in Bethlehem. “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” There was certainly no room in Bethlehem for the Son of God to be born and yet through this wonderful Baby, the whole world which was contaminated with sin would be redeemed. This was the Child who had come down from Heaven to open and provide the Way to the Father for everyone who would believe in Him. From the east, God inspired three wise men to look up to heaven and observe a phenomenon that had never been seen since the beginning of creation and was never to be seen again. A glorious star shone in heaven telling the birth of the Son of God and these three wise men from the east were chosen to see it and they immediately followed it until it landed on the place where the Savior of the world was born. The wise men, when they saw the Baby, they opened their gifts and presented to the Baby Jesus, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11). When Jesus Christ grew to become a Man, He was baptized and immediately was driven into the wilderness where He stayed forty days and forty nights and was tempted by the devil. He defeated the devil in all the three encounters using the Word of God. After defeating the devil, He immediately started His Ministry introducing Himself in Luke 4:16-19, when He came to Nazareth where He said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” These are words which only proceeded through the mouth of the Son of God. These are words which assure us of our salvation. For three years, He went about all Israel and Judah teaching and healing all manner of diseases and sicknesses. He was rejected by the Jewish leaders, arrested, was crucified, died and was buried, but on the third day He was victoriously raised from the dead. He was seen for forty days after which He ascended to the right hand of the Father where He sits and reigns with God forever and ever. He poured upon His elect His Holy Spirit and His Gospel continues to be spread to the ends of the earth. Jesus Christ first won the battle of the flesh when He defeated the devil in the wilderness, leaving us an example to follow. We are in the world, but not of the world. We face challenges, tests, trials and temptations, but the Lord Jesus Christ gave us the power to overcome and this is through prayer and fasting. Luke 10:19 says, “Behold , l give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” He has assigned us, His Church to win souls from darkness to His marvelous light till the day of His second coming. He is with us always in the power of His Holy Spirit. In His final words in Matthew 28:18-20, He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Prayer

Thank You LORD Jesus Christ, for showing me that I must first be a victor over all the flesh in order for me to enter into Your kingdom just as You were victorious in all temptations of the world. Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit who is my Comforter and Director in my journey to You. In Jesus Christ’s mighty name I pray. Amen.