According to our text, the devil is forever busy seeking to make us stumble and devour our witness. We need to be vigilant about his work in our lives, recognize his work and resist him. James wrote in James 4:17: "Subtmit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." I want to share three major tools that Satan uses. "To be forewarned is to be forearmed."
I. Discouragement A. This is one of his most effective tools, for it doesn't seem like sin, only an emotional problem. B. Discouragement will cause us to sin before we are aware of it. 1. It will cause us to quit when we should keep going. 2. It will cause us to commit sins that we would not commit if we had not listened to the devil. 3. It will cause us to discourage people around us. It is contagious!!! C. Discouragement in the life of a Christian is most always a work of the devil. II. Doubt A. The problem with too many church members today is that Satan has convinced them to "doubt their beliefs and believe their doubts." (Quote from Dr. Ted Adams) 1. He causes people to doubt the existence of God. 2. He has people doubting that Jesus can save them, will save them, or has saved them. 3. He has people doubting that they can really serve God through witness or ministry. 4. He has people doubting that the Bible is the word of God. B. The Bible warns about the effects of doubt. 1. James 1:5-8: Warns us the devil will keep us from prayer and make us unstable. 2. Romans 14:23: Warns us that whatever is not of faith is sin. C. Do not let Satan put doubt in your mind and heart and kill your witness and service for the Lord. III. Deception A. The devil is the master deceiver for that is what he majors in. 2 Cor. 11:14 (Just go back to the Garden of Eden.) B. He deceives us in many ways. For example: 1. He will tell us that sin is not sin. ("It can't be sin if it feels good is one of his ploys.") 2. He will tell us that our particular sins are not so bad, and are no big deal. 3. Or he will tell us that we are so sinful that we can never be forgiven. 4. Or he will tell us that we are so good that we do not need to repent. C. Don't be deceived by Satan, for he is out to ruin your life. Satan wants to discourage you,cause you to doubt and deceive you. Be aware of his tricks and depend on God to help you overcome.
0 Comments
|
All of these materials are free of charge. There is no copyright on them and you are free to use them as you see fit. I am happy to be of assitance to you in your preaching/teaching minstry.
|