“What is defeat? Nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better.”

1. “What is defeat? Nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better.” – Wendell Phillips “It is defeat that turns bone to flint; it is defeat that turns gristle to muscle; it is defeat that makes men invincible.” – Henry Ward Beecher

3. Humbling • We are vulnerable– 1 Pet.5:8,9; 1 Cor.10:12 • We are weak– 1 Pet.3:15; 5:8 • A Warning • Satan IS cunning– 1 Pet.5:8; Eph.6:11 • Not to be filled with pride– 1 Cor.10:12 • Not to let up in our battle against Satan • Sobering • Reminds us how quickly we can fall • Reminds us of the consequences of sin

4. Should spur new and greater effort • Learn from past mistakes – 2 Pet.1:9 • Then, forget them– Phil.3:13,14 • Should teach us our weaknesses • So they can be corrected – cf.Eph.6:10-20 • Must always be ready for battle – 1 Pet.3:15 • Should increase desire to fight

5. Courage • To face fact of own weaknesses and failures • Returning to God • Humility to repent – cf.Rev.2:5 • Courage to confess – cf.1 Jn.1:7-10 • Simon the Sorcerer told to – cf.Acts 8:20-24 • Determination to stand • 1 Cor.15:58; 16:13; cf.Eph.6:10-20