Defending Your Family - Lesson 2 - Devour

We can overcome Satan by turning from and resisting him, and by putting on the whole armor of God. Though Satan constantly tries, he cannot destroy those who truly trust in God. Satan will never win a battle over any of God's saints who put up a fight.

– Satan came among Adam and Eve in the Garden. Gen. 3:1-6

– Satan came into Jesus’ presence when He went into the wilderness before beginning His ministry. Luke 4:1-13 – Satan comes among people in order to hinder them from accepting the truth. Note the parable of the sower. Luke 8:11-15

– Satan comes in among God’s people.

So how can we overcome satan’s devices?





We must turn from Satan.

Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

Until we resist the devil, we are a child of the devil.We must resist satan.

James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

That’s easy, resist the devil … problem solved …

Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give place to the devil.”

Do not give opportunity to him. Or as you said last week MaryBeth, give him a foothold.Can you picture a salesman and you try to slam the door…There is his foot in it …

The Bible is forceful on this point. We should not tamper with sin, but should flee from it.

- The drunk man said, "I only meant to take one drink."

- The young unmarried couple upon discovering that they would have a child said, "We didn't mean to go too far."

- The young married woman after going out with another man said, "I didn't mean to hurt my husband's feelings."

- These were tampering with sin instead of fleeing from it.

I Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

Can you share what you think this has to do with the enemy?





Proverbs 6:27, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?”

I believe this verse is speaking of adultery, can satan use that against us?





We need to put on the whole armor of God so that we can resist.

Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

It is hard enough to overcome temptations with the armor; it is next to impossible without it.

We can take courage that others are successfully resisting the enemy.

I Peter 5:8-9, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

Does that help you knowing others are successfully resisting,or does it make you mad?





Thus, we need to resist when Satan tries to turn us from the truth. His ministers will come in all demonstration of faithfulness and honesty. We cannot recognize them by outward appearance.

We need to worship regularly with those who are faithfully living the Christian life.

As those who live in the far North know, when temperatures plunge well below zero, few cars left outside will start. Cold batteries are incapable of giving enough power. Only batteries that are kept warm or those frequently charged will do the job.Unused batteries have the danger of freezing, and when one attempts to charge a frozen battery, there is the danger of an explosion.

Likewise, our spiritual batteries need to be regularly recharged, and faithfully worshiping with fellow Christians is a good way to do this. By regular worship, our spiritual strength is maintained.

We must constantly be on guard lest we be lead away from the truth.

II Peter 3:17-18, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

We need to resist when Satan tries to lure through the lust of the world.

I Peter 2:11, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

Galatians 5:24, “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Romans 6:12, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”

I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

How do we cast our anxiety upon God?





I Peter 5:10, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

After we have suffered a while …





1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

‘If we were to clothe ourselves with humility, many of us would be scantily clad.’

What do you think he means when he says, ‘He may exalt you in due time?’

(If we are HUMBLE and learn when we are young, our turn will come to assume the position of an elder and HELP OTHERS.)





Conclusion

We can overcome Satan by turning from and resisting him, and by putting on the whole armor of God. Though Satan constantly tries, he cannot destroy those who truly trust in God. Satan will never win a battle over any of God's saints who put up a fight.

Let us continue to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Let us continually be on guard against the wiles or scheming of the devil. He will be walking to and fro among us, seeking whom he may devour. Let us not give him opportunity, but resist him will all our might.


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