Had Trouble with the Devil Lately?

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James 4:7 (KJV)

7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1. The Reality of Our Spiritual Battle . . . "resist the devil . . ."
   The devil is mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments. From Scripture we learn:
   1. His ability is great though limited by God . . .
      He is called "the anointed one" (Ezekiel 28:14) and Lucifer or "morning star."
      His fall from heaven is described in Isaiah 14:12-15, and now he is the enemy of God.
   2. His aim is specific and deadly . . .
      I Peter 5:8 says he seeks to "devour you." This word means "to drink down."
      It is used 5 other times in the New Testament and is translated "swallow"
      1. He deceives the mind.
      2. He destroys the body.
      3. He depresses the heart.
   3. His attack is continual and personal . . . (Ephesians 6:12)
      "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers."
2. The Requirements of Our Spiritual Battle . . . "Submit to God, resist the devil."
   Our fight against Satan and his strategies revolves around two principles of living:
   1. Submission to God . . . The word submission means "to place oneself in order under." To often people will talk about resisting the devil, but they leave off the first part!
      1. Submission to His dominion . . . an acknowledgment that He is Lord of life. Job "feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1).
      2. Submission to His decrees . . . what the Lord decides, we accept and enjoy. As the great hymn of old declares:

         The Lord is King! Who then shall dare
         Resist His will, distrust his care,
         Or wonder whether He really sees,
         Or doubt the wisdom of His decrees?

      3. Submission to His demands . . . what the Lord requires, we do with delight. "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" (John 8:31). "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5) is the great test of discipleship today.
   2. Resist the devil . . . the word "resist" literally means "take your stand against."
      This word represents both defensive and active military efforts. He looks for you. Resist the devil's arguments (he's a liar, and resist his attractions (they're deceptive).
      Know his tactics - "We are not unaware of his schemes" (II Corinthians 2:11).
      Be decisive - "Do not let the sun go down . . . giving the devil a foothold" (Ephesians 4:26).
3. The Results of Our Spiritual Battle . . . "and he will flee from you."
   1. The devil can be defeated . . . you don't have to live in fear that you can't escape.
   2. The devil will be determined to try again . . . (Luke 4:13).
      "When the devil finished all his tempting, he left him until an opportune time."
   3. The devil will ultimately be destroyed . . . (Isaiah 14:15)

   

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   Questions? Comments?
   Pastor Wade
   
   

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