What am I doing to resist the devil?
Yesterday
We saw when one submits to God, they are actually taking a stand against the devil, everything he is and stands for.
Today
We will pick up where we left off to see ‘how‘ to ‘resist the devil’ on a practical basis.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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Let’s Pray
Oh Lord, as we come to hear You speak to us today, help us to quiet our hearts and really listen. Please give us the understanding we need to put these Truths into practice in our lives. Thank you!
All right, let’s get to it!
LOOK at What God Says
Let’s pick up where we left off.
Open GODcha’s LOOK Section.
What’s your starting point?
READ God’s Word
Read James 4:7 again and concentrate.
It is really good to read aloud.
Hearing repeated readings will help store the Word in your memory.
LOOK at Other Truths About
Resisting the devil
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
1. How did Jesus resist (stand against) the devil,
when he (the devil) quoted Scripture but twisted its meaning?
In (Mat 4:3-11), (which we LOOKED at in Chapter 1 when we LOOKED at how to resist temptation):
- All 3 of Jesus’ replies to the devil were with the Word of God.
- Jesus obeyed the Word, resisting the devil.
- The devil left him.
We see:
The Word of God is more important than necessary food. (Job 23:12); (Deu 8:3)
We must know and believe God’s Word. (Joh 8:32)
We must have faithful obedience to God’s Word. (Joh 14:15)
Understand: Discovering God’s Word, and knowing His truth will give us wisdom and discernment to quickly notice when spiritual forces are in play. The more we know what is real, and what His word says, we will recognize the enemies schemes and attacks.
We see: When we surrender in obedience to God, the devil must leave.
LISTEN. . .
Do I know and believe the Word of God?
Can I recognize when the devil is at play?
Is my desire to live in obedience to God; to do what He tells me in His Word?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
2. In (Eph 6:10-18), how do believer’s resist the devil?
Did you notice Paul says to stand firm 3 times?
Let’s Take a LOOK Together!
If you can’t get through all of this today, come back tomorrow, and the next, and the next. You have all week.
Remember your aim in being here with me today is not to race through the Scripture, but rather to focus and engage with God, your Creator, who loves you and has a Word for you.
Enjoy your time with Him. LISTEN and hear Him speak to you through His Spirit!
Let’s Read (Eph 6:10-18).
10 be strong in WHO? the Lord and in WHAT? the strength of His might.
Understand: to resist the devil you must be strong in the Lord, BUT
Understand: to be strong in the Lord, you must have true genuine faith in God and His Word.
HOW can we be strong in the Lord…?
11 Put on (aorist imperative, a command) the full armor of God, WHY? so that you will be able to stand firm against WHAT? the schemes of WHO? the devil.
WHY? 12 For our WHAT? struggle is not against WHAT? flesh and blood, but against WHAT? WHO? the rulers, against WHAT? WHO?the powers, against the WHAT? WHO? world forces of darkness, against the WHAT? WHO? spiritual forces of wickedness WHERE? in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, WHAT is the conclusion? take up (aorist imperative, a command) WHAT? the full armor of God, WHY? so that you will be able to resist WHEN? in the evil day, and having done WHAT? everything, to WHAT? stand firm.
Do WHAT? 14 Stand firm (aorist imperative, a command) therefore,
LISTEN…
Am I obeying this command to stand firm against the devil?
Do I know how to take up the armor of God to crush the devil’s schemes and silence his attacks?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Put on the Armor of God to Stand Firm.
Let’s take peek at each piece of armor to make this practical.
WHAT does one of faith do to stand firm?
1. 14 HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH,
To gird means to fasten on one’s belt. A belt encompasses the waist.
THINK: the devil uses lies.
THINK: Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life…(Joh 14:6)
LISTEN…
How secure is my belt?
Does the Truth encompass my life, holding me?
Am I seeking Truth; committed to Truth; love the Truth; willing to fight for Truth?
Am I walking according to God’s Truth, letting it lead and control me even when it is difficult?
Am I able to detect the lies the enemy subtly whispers? Do I know what to accept and reject?
Or, am I being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
2. and, HAVING PUT ON WHAT?
THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
THINK: Believers receive Christ’s Righteousness (Rom 3:22; (2Co 5:21)
Understand: Putting on the armor of God is all about living according to God’s Truth; and
being right before God;
practicing righteousness,
thus, being obedient to Him.
LISTEN…
Have I received Christ’s righteousness?
Am I living right before God, practicing righteousness?
What areas of God’s commands do I compromise, or struggle with?
Or, am I in sin, practicing unrighteousness?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
3. 15 and having WHAT?
shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
THINK: Jesus is the Prince of Peace, bringing the gospel of peace…
LISTEN…
Am I walking around barefoot? What shoes am I wearing to protect my feet?
Have I received the gospel of peace, having true peace?
Am I at peace with God?
What about with others? Am I a peacemaker?
What must I do to be obedient to what God requires when it comes to peace with Him and others?
How can God’s peace control me, no matter my circumstances?
Who will I go share the gospel of peace with today?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
4. 16 in addition to all, WHAT?
taking up the shield of faith
with which you will be able to WHAT? extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
THINK: Believers Faith is in Jesus (Joh 20:30-31)
LISTEN…
Do I have faith, believing God? Do I take Him at His Word?
Do I have faith in God, in Christ?
Do I have a confidence, an assurance, a hope of eternal life?
How am I living my faith?
Is my faith strong enough to pick up My shield when the devil sends his flaming missiles of doubt, fear, worry, unbelief, defeat, lack of hope, lack of trust, depression, guilt, condemnation, you name it?
How am I living, keeping my shield of faith upright, so there will be no vulnerable spots?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
5. 17 And take WHAT?
THE HELMET OF SALVATION,
THINK: Believers are saved by faith (Eph 2:8-9);
work out their salvation (Phil 2:12);
given the mind of Christ (1Co 2:16)
LISTEN…
Am I saved, and now have the mind of Christ?
Is my helmet on, fastened tight, so it will not be shaken lose?
How do I guard and protect my mind regarding everything I believe to be true about salvation and my eternal future?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
6. and take WHAT else?
the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
THINK: The Word is: Jesus (Joh 1:1-14);
Inerrant (2Pe 1:20);
Profitable/Sufficient (2Ti 3:16-17);
Sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb 4:12)
LISTEN…
How am I keeping my blade razor sharp?
What must I do to know and understand the Word of God?
How well can I handle God’s Word?
Am I able to wield the Word of God (specific Scriptures) like a sword, as Jesus did, to counter the fiery darts (lies, accusations, persecutions) in specific given situations?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
7. 18 WHAT? With all prayer and petition
pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
and WHAT?
pray on my behalf, WHAT? that utterance may be given to me HOW? in the opening of my mouth, WHY? to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
THINK: Jesus taught us how to pray (Mat 6:5-15); (Luk 11:1-13)
LISTEN…
Do I overlook the priority of prayer when standing against the enemy?
How do I use my weapon of prayer?
Do I pray all the time about everything? Do I have that constant conscience communion with the Lord?
Do I pray in the Spirit – letting the Spirit prompt me and help me to pray according to God’s heart, mind, and will, for God’s glory?
Am I alert and perseverant to pray for all the saints?
Or, do I tend to be selfish praying for myself?
How do I pray for others? Do I pray for myself and others to have boldness to share the gospel?
THINK: perhaps pray for about others putting on God’s armor!
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
UNDERSTAND:
To stand firm in the strength of the Lord:
Is to stand in God’s power (grace).
We must be prepared, putting on God’s armor — every piece points to:
Jesus (His character), and
The Word of Truth (that is to be obeyed).
What Have We Learned
Let’s Sum It Up!
We LEARN:
God gives grace only to the humble.
To humble one’s self, one must:
- Submit to God
(Placing yourself under God. Obey His commands. Follow His leading.)
- Resist the devil
(Stand against the devil).
UNDERSTAND:
In submitting to God,
doing what He requires,
one has resisted the devil – all he stands for and does.
THEN, the devil has been rendered powerless,
he has to flee.
Engage With God
Did you hear Him speak?
LISTEN…
Have I, done everything to stand firm, to resist the devil?
Has the devil left me?
If he hasn’t left me, what am I doing that is giving the devil an opportunity in my life?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
That’s It For Today!
Ponder everything you have LEARNED about taking a stand against the devil.
NOTE and SAVE What God Has Taught You!
Journal your conversations with God!
Turn What You LEARNED into a Prayer
Perhaps. . .
OH FATHER GOD, our Lord and Master, in submitting to You we understand we are now the devil’s enemy. That we take a stand now against everything he is and stands for. Help each of us to daily put on our full spiritual armor to resist the devil. May we put on:
The belt of truth believing Your every Word and obeying it. Trusting in your power to protect and provide for us, thus able to guard against lies and deception of the devil;
The breastplate of righteousness to protect our hearts from unrighteous living, enabling us to walk in obedience to You;
The gospel of peace walking now obediently in peace with You and others, and in freedom that only You can give to overcome any fears and/or anxious thoughts.
May we Take up our shield of faith that will extinguish all the darts hurled our way by the devil, who is now our enemy.
Help us to Put on the helmet of salvation, which covers our minds and thoughts, reminding us we are Your children, forgiven, set free, saved by the grace of Christ Jesus.
May we Take up the sword of the Spirit, Your very Word, the one offensive weapon given to us, which is alive, active, and sharper than any double-edged sword, having the the power to demolish strongholds. Bring to our remembrance today Your Word that we have learned and know, and help us to apply specific Truth to specific situations and circumstances we will face.
And last, but not least, may we be faithful to pray for all the saints. Oh Father, thank you. We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!
Isn’t God awesome?
Next: we will LOOK at verse 8 to learn more about how to be humble ourselves and submit to God.
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