7/8/18

Defense against our Enemy, know his tactics

1 Peter 5:8, Eph 6:10-11, 2 Cor 2:11

5 tactics of the devil

1 He fills our minds with lies

John 8:44, when he lies, it's his character 

Acts 5:3, it's your money/life - you can lie to the Holy Spirit 

Matt 16:21-23, get behind me Satan 

 - When we lie we are following the devil

 - Without the tempter, obedience is easier (Heaven without sin).


2 He seduces us with temptation 

1 Thes 3:5,  he's the tempter

James 1:14-15, desire

1 cor 10:12-13, no temptation but what is common to man, God provides a way out 

 - don't defend yourself with the tempter,  "not interested ", just say "no"


3 He incites us toward disunity 

 - Gossip is a verbal grenade thrown into the church (Pope)

 - micro-cheating, dressing for someone.  Accepting hero praise from someone. Commenting, message with someone. 

Gal 5:20, works of flesh: enmity, jealousy..

 James 3:14-15, selfish ambition from demonic world

John 13:2, someone in the inner circle 


4 He sways us with false teachings 

 - But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 1 Timothy 4:1 NASB

 - No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:14‭-‬15 NASB


5 He hinders the spread of the Gospel 

 - For we wanted to come to you-I, Paul, more than once-and yet Satan hindered us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 NASB

 - Rev 2:9, he has a church 

 - in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:4‭-‬6 NASB


APPLICATION

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

James 4:7‭-‬10 NASB

See also

http://benlorence.blogspot.com/2016/03/christian-code-of-conduct-for-church.html

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