Tag: Satan

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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Revive Me #38–Don’t Let Satan

Revive Me, Week 38– A Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord

Don’t Let Satan

Have you ever mishandled a situation and ended up hurting someone’s feelings?

Have you ever given bad advice that turned a minor incident into full-out drama?

Have you ever felt inadequate to the task or overwhelmed by your responsibilities?

Have you ever felt too immature?  Have you ever wondered when you’ll gain the wisdom that’s supposed to come with age and experience?

And have you ever had one of those weekends where you felt ALL of those things at once?

If you’re anything like me, perhaps you then start wanting to retreat.  That’s it…I quit.  I’m obviously not the right person for the job.  What was I thinking?  When those types of thoughts start swirling around, we need to remember the source.  How does the song go?  “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.  Don’t let Satan…..”

Of course we’re going to make mistakes and demonstrate immaturity or lack of wisdom.  When those less than stellar moments happen back to back, it can be tempting to walk away.  We might think we’re doing it for the greater good (“Someone else can do a better job”) but we need to remember that sometimes it takes humbling events to catch our attention and cause growth.  Just do better next time.  Learn from it.  Pray for wisdom and spiritual maturity.  When we feel frustrated and idiotic, we have a choice.  We can allow Satan to blow out our light or we can trust God to help us do better next time.

For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers (1 Tim. 4:10).

Suggestions for the Week:

1.  If you’ve messed up somehow, do what you can to remedy the situation.  Do you need to ask for forgiveness?  Do you need to consider the big picture?  Do you need to help clean up a mess you’re partly responsible for?

2.  Pray for patience with yourself.  Pray for wisdom.

3.  Don’t indulge in a pity party.

4.  Open the Word.  Study passages that have to do with spiritual maturity and determine to apply them to your life.

Read it.  Memorize it.  Live it.

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