how do i resist evil?

How Can I Resist Evil?

Bible Readings:Ephesians 6:10-18 (Page 830)Matthew 12:22-37(Page 690)

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Thursday, 28 May 2015

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1Peter 5:8–9, NIV84)

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• "Devil" is an English word which comes from a Greek word which means “Accuser”.

• Satan is a Chaldean word which means exactly the same; “Accuser”.

• An accuser is some one who always points to what you've done wrong.

• The Accuser tries to pull believers down, make them feel guilty and destroy their faith in God.

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• Jesus warned His followers:

• “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.”John 10:10

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The testimony of the Bible:

• The devil, (Satan), was a powerful angel called Lucifer.

• He became filled with pride.

• God threw him and all the angelic beings who followed him out of heaven.

• Man was created to rule God's creation under His authority.

• When Satan tempted man and he rebelled against God, the earth fell under Satan's control.

• The earth became “this dark world”.

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• “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV84)

• The "Rulers," "Authorities" and "Powers" that Paul describes are the different orders of evil spiritual beings under Satan.

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• Jesus entered Satan's dominion of darkness, “this dark world. “

• When Jesus died on the cross as sacrifice for all sin He provided a way out of the dominion of darkness.

• When Jesus rose from death He demonstrated His supreme power over Satan.

• “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,” (Colossians 1:13, NIV84)

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• Jesus gave believers His authority and His power to rescue more and more people from Satan's dominion.

• ‘Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20, NLT)

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• Believers face spiritual opposition. When we seek to obey God, to worship Him and to spread the good news we are like soldiers in enemy territory.

• When you became a christian Jesus released you from the prison.

• When you join the soldiers fighting against the enemy you will be shot at by the enemy.

• When you are filled with the Holy Spirit you become a strong soldier with powerful weapons so the enemy will try to target you.

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• It is highly unlikely that any of us will receive the personal attentions of Satan.

• There are many evil spirits (demons) under Satan who will try to make your life very difficult if you let them.

• When we are under spiritual attack we are still responsible for our actions.

• We cannot blame the devil if we fall for any temptation.

• If we fall for a temptation and sin we need to confess our responsibility and ask the Lord for forgiveness.

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How Does the Enemy Attack Us?

• Tactic #1 - Spiritual blindness.

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, Who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

• Counter attack:“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:18)

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• Tactic #2a - Doubting God’s Word.This was the way Satan started his attack on Adam and Eve "Did God really say . . .”

• The devil cannot change God's word but He will do all He can to make us doubt the truth of the Bible or its application to us personally.

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• Tactic #2b - Doubting God’s Love for you.

• The tempter will play upon your feelings of rejection or unworthiness.

• Counterattack - read the Bible. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. (Ephesians 2:4–6, ESV)

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Counter attacking Doubts

• Talk about your doubts to other believers.

• Receive encouragement from others.

• Small groups are important.

• Tell God your doubts.

• Confess to God "Lord I find this hard to believe and accept. Please help me". “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22–24, NKJV)

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• Tactic #3 - Accusation

• The enemy will still try to make us feel guilty even after we have confessed to God and been forgiven.

• Counter attack - The Bible.“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7, NKJV)

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• Paul strongly encourages all Christians to put on the protection that God has provided and the weapons he has given us.

• “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

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• In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:13–18, NLT)

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how do i resist evil?

Spiritual

christian jesus

dark world

satans dominion of darkness

personal attentions

enemy territory

spiritual forces of

devil prowls

spiritual opposition