7 Deadly Devices of the Devil
2 Cor. 2:11 "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
The devil is always prepared to do battle--we need to be doubly prepared. In any way Satan can defeat you, he will! If he can make you ineffective as a Christian, he will! Be on guard…and be prepared!
This is taken from my Sunday school lesson just this last Sunday! (as prepared and taught by Rick Laing at Waupun Baptist Church on March 27, 2011). I cannot take credit for it; but I can tell you the devil has definitely used every single device in my life--and he will in yours as well. Please stand guard--be prepared in God's power!
- Diversion - (turning the mind from great things to minimal things, from the eternal to the temporal)
- Delusion - (lies and wiles)
sin is pleasurable--but only for a season. Satan knows your weaknesses and he will attack more in those areas just because he knows where you're weakest.
Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…"
stand guard, stand prepared with God's armor -- or you can be certain the devil will work to defeat you!
- Doubt - (causing hesitation for both the saved and the unsaved) - the opposite of doubt is faith (believing) - believe God! and trust!
doubt concerning our salvation
doubt regarding God's will and direction in our lives
- Double-mindedness (compromise)
"compromise means defeat in due season"
Matt. 6:24 you cannot have two masters!
don't be a "fence straddler"
- there is ever a gradual deterioration -- the line of principles or standards is slowly moving and compromising in our standards for--
- music
- drinking
- sexual standards
there is a gradual infiltration by the devil, moving in and taking over -- areas of standard we thought we would never compromise in, and yet, we have, we do all the time! Stand guard!
- Darkness (encompassing your thoughts)
Isaiah 5:20 "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
Luke 11:35 "Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness."
- Deadness (no life, no joy, no enthusiasm)
anything said or done in our own strength and power is dead!
"deadness" is a slowly drifting off to sleep, being comfortable, unmoving
God has given us abundant life through His Son; be careful that we are not "comfortable" or "unmoving" in our Christian lives!
- Delay (procrastination)
Proverbs 27:1 "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."
saved or unsaved -- be careful not to procrastinate what God has laid on your heart to do; you're not promised anything apart from the moment you're in!
Stand guard, stand prepared!
Merle
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