Tag: adversary

#38- Satan Can’t Defeat Her

52 Reasons to Love the Church

By Kathy Pollard

We know we have an adversary. The devil has been actively going after God’s people from the beginning (2 Cor. 11:3). He even “stood against Israel” (1 Chron. 21:1). He is a liar (John 8:44), a deceiver (2 Cor. 11:14), and a thief (John 10:10). He tries to keep people from “seeing the light of the glory of the gospel of Christ” (2 Cor. 4:4). He uses devices against us (2 Cor. 2:11) and he’s a schemer (Eph. 6:11). So the Bible warns us to be on guard against him.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Sadly, many have been caught in the devil’s snares (2 Tim. 2:26). While our hearts break to see loved ones suffer until they “come to their senses” (as Paul puts it in the verse I just referenced), Satan takes delight in the calamity and chaos.

Yes, the devil has tricked and trapped and tripped us up, but you know what he can’t do? He can’t win. He really wants to! He is the “accuser of the brethren…accusing them day and night before God” (Rev. 12:10). We’ve seen him in action! Remember when he went after:

  • Joshua the high priest- Satan was “standing at his right hand to accuse him” (Zech. 3:1).
  • Job- “Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face'” (Job 1:9-11).
  • Ananias- “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…” (Ac. 5:1-3).
  • Peter- “Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat” (Lk. 22:31-32).
  • Judas- “Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot…” (Lk. 22:3-6).
  • Jesus- “Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matt. 4:1ff).

Satan has been diligent in going after God’s people, but that’s ALL he can do. He can’t force anyone to sin (James 4:7). He can’t overtake a heart. And he definitely can’t defeat Jesus and His church. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). He has been “conquered by the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 12:10). Jesus destroyed his power through His own death on the cross (Heb. 2:14).

The devil “wages war against those who keep God’s commands” (Rev. 12:17), but the worst he can do is try to make us stumble. He has already lost the war and his destiny awaits, an “eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41)!

“Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”

(Rev. 12:10)

This snake crossed our path at a park this week.

Revive Me #43–Be On The Alert

Revive Me, Week 43–A Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord

Be On The Alert

We can’t finish a series on growing stronger in the Lord without focusing on the one who wants to pull us away from the Lord.  Recently a Christian gentleman came back to God after years of worldly living.  In genuine humility, he shared an interesting perspective.  He said, “I try to be very aware of the devil’s attempts to pull me back.  For instance, when a job advancement opportunity comes along, instead of assuming that God must be blessing me, now I consider it carefully.   Could it be Satan at work?  Would the new job and responsibilities take up more of my time, keeping me from making visits and serving God?”  This tender-hearted brother wants to make sure he stays strong in the fold.  He has been the prodigal and never wants to go back.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

(1 Peter 5:8)

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

(1 Cor. 16:13)

“Be on the alert” means to be watchful and stay awake.  Keep your eyes open.  The Bible goes on to show us why that’s necessary:

  • Satan wants to enter the heart of the individual- John 13:2; Acts 5:3
  • He tries to take advantage of us- 2 Cor. 2:11
  • He tempts married couples- 1 Cor. 7:5
  • He tries to hinder the work of the saints- 1 Thess. 2:18
  • He’s the tempter who deceives the whole world- Matt. 4:3; Rev. 12:9

Paul said he wasn’t “ignorant of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11) and we shouldn’t be, either.

Suggestions for the week:

  1.  The world portrays the devil as a cartoonish joke.  Spend time looking up verses that show Satan’s activities.  Be re-convinced that our adversary is no laughing matter.
  2. Look up and write down all the names the Bible uses for the devil.
  3. What does Eph. 6:10-20 teach you about our enemy?  How can we protect yourself against him?

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