120 likes | 374 Views
The Devil. Do You Believe That He Exists?. Our Adversary. Defined as “an opponent; an enemy.” “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour .” {1 Peter 1:5-8}. Great Deceiver.
E N D
The Devil Do You Believe That He Exists?
Our Adversary • Defined as “an opponent; an enemy.” • “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” {1 Peter 1:5-8}
Great Deceiver • Defined as “to cause to stray, to lead away from the right way.” • “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” {Revelation 12:9}
Father of Lies • There’s no truth in him, and he never tells the truth! • “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” {John 8:44}
Prince of This World • Spiritual ruler of evil spirits and demons. • “Whose minds the god of this agehas blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” {2 Corinthians 4:4}
The Wicked One • Intentions are wickedness and destruction. • “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked onecomes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.” {Matthew 13:19}
The Devil’s Schemes • Discourage … • Distract … • Deceive … • Destroy!
The Game Plan • Current DESIRE • “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.” {James 1:14} • The Right BAIT • “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” {Genesis 3:6}
The Game Plan • Wrong CHOICE • “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” {Romans 6:16} • Result—SIN! • “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” {James 1:15,16}
Our Defense! • Defend ourselves from his attack… • “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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.” {Ephesians 6:10-13}
Concluding Thoughts • We’re all in the VALLEY of the TEMPTER. • Are you prepared to fight? • Who has the advantage?