The devil has strategies & deceits that he uses against you. He has come to steal and kill and destroy. (Ehp. 6:11 [Amp.] & John 10:10)
1 Peter 5:8 Be well balanced (teperate, sober if mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of your, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
Sometimes we forget that we have a real enemy trying to kill us. He is not just trying to make our life hard, he wants us to die & not just physically. He wants us to be separated from God & the people of God. He seeks to hurt you at your weakest point, hoping you will give up & turn from God. Hoping you will ust quit & that you will encourage others to quit too. We are an influence on others & we can pull others down with us.
But be encouraged there is HOPE:
The second part of John 10:10 says I (Jesus) came that we may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows.)
1 John 3:8 (Amp.) The reason the Son of God (Jesus) was manifest (visible, why He came) was to undo (destroy, loosen, & dissolve) the works the devil [has done & is doing].
What are some of the strategies of Satan? In my Husbands message “Satan’s final assignment he names a few:
1) He attacks Truth
2) He attacks the message of the Cross – the object of our Faith (Jesus)
3) He attacks our testimony
4) He tries to put FEAR on us
Some people are & have been help captive by the devil – 2 Tim 2:26 …having been held captive by him…
Satan is a seducer (deceiver) Rev. 12:9 Amp. He is a accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10) He is the father of lies (John 8:44) He is a murderer (John 8:44)
Sometimes things do happen of our own making. You can’t always say “the devil made me do it”. We are drawn away by own own lust. But we need to realize we do have an enemy and what do we do about it.
Eph. 4:27 (Amp.) Leave NO [such] room or foot hold for the devil [give NO opportunity to him]
Rev. 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb & by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life Rev. 2:10)
We overcome Satan when we testify personally to what the Word of God says about what the blood of Jesus does & has done.
Our testimony must be our object of faith = which is the work of Jesus at the Cross & what He did there for us.
The blood of Jesus saves us. Satan wants to make you believe that there are many ways, BUT there is one “1” way to be saved & that is through Jesus and His blood & what He did at calvary for us.
James 4:1-17 (read all) (in Amp. too) & 1 Peter 5:6-10
1) Humble yourselves
2) Submit to God
3) Resist the Devil
4) Draw near to God
5) Cleanse your hands
6) Purify your hands
7) Stand firm
(This all only can be done because of what Jesus did at the Cross for us)
Read Eph 6:10-18
Phil. 1:6 (Amp.) [not in your own strength] for it is God who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing & creating in you the power & desire] both to will & to work for His good pleasure & satisfaction & delight.
He gives you the want to & the ability!!!
Fight the good fight of faith, not the good fight of works.
1 Peter 5:6-10
Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the might hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger] seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset – rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined] knowing that the same (indentical sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood ( the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing & favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, WILL HIMSELF complete & ground you securely, & strengthen, and settle you.
Remember HE has called you, HE will sustain you, HE has provided a way of escape & you must look to Him & Him only. JESUS IS THE WAY!!! HE IS THE ONLY WAY!!! HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY & WIN!!!
Angie Paxton's Blog 