BELIEVERS BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2020.

SUBJECT : BELIEVERS BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL!

Memory verse: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

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(First Peter 5 vs 8.)

READ: Ephesians 6 vs 10 - 18:

6:10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
6:11: Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
6:12: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
6:13: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
6:14: Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 
6:15: and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
6:16: above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

6:18: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to the end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

INTIMATION:

Our adversary, the devil, is relentlessly on a mission of attack on the children of God. He walks about seeking who or what to kill, to steal, or to destroy among the children of God. The attack is imminent for the followers of Christ whom the devil perceives as lost by him. 

Ever since the Garden of Eden, Satan has been tempting people to sin. The battle with Satan is a difficult, ongoing struggle. If we obey Jesus and align ourselves closely with God’s purposes, Satan can have no power over us. 

Receiving Jesus Christ, that is, embracing the kingdom is eventually a huge loss to the devil, hence his destructive tendencies toward followers of Christ. In the vulnerable state of Christ’s followers, the devil comes to attack in various manners.

In the Christian life we battle against “principalities and powers” (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter. These are not “flesh and blood” but demons over whom the devil has control. They are not mere fantasies—they are very real. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat the body of Christ. To withstand the attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of His armor. All believers and the whole body of Christ need to be armed. As you do battle against “the ruler of the darkness of this age,” fight in the strength of the body of Christ, whose power comes from the Holy Spirit.

Beneath the surface of the routine of daily life, a fierce struggle among invisible spiritual powers is being waged. Our main defense is prayer that God will protect us from the evil one and that He will strengthen us. The following guidelines can help you prepare for and survive satanic attacks: (1) Take the threat of spiritual attack seriously; (2) pray for strength and help from God; (3) study the Bible to recognize Satan’s style and tactics; (4) memorize Scripture so it will be a source of help no matter where you are; (5) associate with those who speak the truth; and (6) practice what you’re taught by sound spiritual leaders. 

Although we are assured of victory

 through faith in Jesus Christ, not through our own efforts. we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us His Holy Spirit within us and His armor surrounding us; the truth in God’s Word, God’s given righteousness in Christ, the gospel of peace, the spirit of faith, our salvation in Christ, and engaging the Word of God in prayers. We should not relent but persevere to the end because our adversary never relents. If you feel discouraged, remember the promise of Christ to be with us up to the end of age (Matthew 28 vs 20).

We are living in the last days, and Satan’s work has become intense. Even though the devil is very powerful, as we can see by the condition of our world, he is always under God’s control. One of the reason God allows Satan to work evil and bring temptation is so that those who pretend to be Christ’s followers will be weeded out from Christ’s true believers. Knowing that the last great confrontation with Jesus is near, Satan is desperately trying to recruit as great an enemy force as possible for his final battle. 

When you take away your focus off the Lord and is vulnerable to the devil’s attack. Such times are when you focus on your feeling, weakness, or troubles; focusing on your circumstances, instead of focusing on Him who controls circumstances. 

We all have areas where temptation is strong and habits are hard to conquer. These weaknesses give the devil a foothold, so we must deal with our areas of vulnerability. 

Prayer: Abba Father, I submit totally to You. Let not the devil's machinations take away my focus on You. In all things You are my God, my Shield and Buckler. In You I live, and move, and have my being. Engrace me to walk in Your strength and guidance always, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!