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Matthew 6:9-15 – As Christians we should not be obsessed with the devil. We shouldn’t be constantly fearful or wrapped up in things of the devil and what he is doing now, today.
When we hear of evil, or are tempted with evil, we need to remember that he is our enemy, he has clever devices and evil purposes. We must not forget either that he is a defeated foe!
Our focus and our life should be on and for Christ. We need to have a healthy respect for, but don’t need to be intimidated by this enemy. Today we are going to review our enemy and some of his devices and to remember that he is a real danger to us.
Satan is a deadly enemy.
1 Peter 5:8 – We believe that he is real and his going about “seeking whom he may devour.” He is a deadly enemy.
Revelation 12:12 – Satan is an angry enemy. To have an enemy is one thing, but to have an angry enemy adds a bit more to the desire that your enemy has to see our destruction. Satan wants to do as much damage as he can in the time that he has left.
Luke 22:31 – Satan is a focused enemy. He isn’t out there swinging wildly, he is focused on anything that is dear to God. The most dear thing to God are His saints, us.
Ephesians 6:11, 1 Timothy 3:7 – Satan is a cunning enemy. We are called to put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand in the face of a thoughtful, crafty enemy.
1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:5 – Satan has been effective. Paul knew about the devil and he knew that churches and Christians are and will be affected by Satan.
Revelation 4:7 – Satan is not alone. He has a force of fallen angels that work along his side. Satan is mans very worst enemy, and his goal is our eternal destruction.
Hebrews 2:14 – Keep in mind that satan is a defeated enemy. Jesus came to give us deliverance and hope from the devil and his destruction.
It is pretty easy to not be aware of the reality of the spiritual realm. If we could suddenly see what is all around us spiritually, it would probably shock and startle us. It is real, Peter tells us to be sober and vigilant.
2 Corinthians 2:11 – Satan takes advantage of us in any way that he can. Paul wasn’t ignorant of satans devices.
James 1:14 – Satan encourages and entices the flesh. A flesh that already has a bent/appetite toward sin. Our worldly culture, that is under the domain and influence of satan, pastures lures out there all over the place. It is impossible to ask a Christian living in the current day to not be exposed to those lures.
1 John 3:8, Romans 7, Ephesians 4 – A careless worldly carnal Christian, weak and struggling. Don’t sin and give place to the devil. When we compromise we are giving place to the devil, don’t make room for the devil. Where we falter and sin, we can confess and be clean again, but if we choose and allow and pursue disobedience, sin, even small things that would seem small, there is no way to escape some degree of whole influence from the evil side.
Jesus overcame satans temptation? How did he do that? He was very aware of scripture, but it was more than just saying verses, his life was in full compliance to the scriptures that he quoted. They were his guide for life, this was the will of the father that he would follow.
James 4:7 – Submit to God, then you’ll be in a position to resist the devil. If we aren’t submitted to God and try to resist the devil the devil only laughs as we struggle and fail.