Your biggest enemy is not the devil its yourself
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Satan is not omnipotent. He is not God’s equal in power, in presence, or in any other way. He is a fallen angel, not a fallen god. He is known as the God of this world only because he was cast down into it. Nothing can come into our lives without God’s knowledge and permission. Satan is actually under God’s authority. For God is in Complete control of all things there is nothing in Heaven on Earth or in the depths of Hell that God is not in Control of This is what the Sovereignty of God means He is the King. The Devil does not nor will he ever rule hell like a king of tormentors . No my dear brothers and sisters the Devil himself will be the most tormented for all of eternity. I have heard it said that God will not be in Hell no this is not true at all God will be there but only in one form for all of eternity His Holy fire of Wrath. It was the devil who had to receive God’s permission to test Job, and the Lord’s purpose is to produce good out of the trials and afflictions that Satan tries to put in the Christian’s path Just as it was Joseph who said you ment it for evil but God ment it for good. Lets look at Job this morning
Job 1:6–22 (NKJV)
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
Now notice Job could only do what God allowed
The Gospels record an episode in Jesus’ life in which He was in the midst of reading Scripture in a synagogue. Unexpectedly, a demon-possessed man jumped to his feet and began yelling. You see, Satan was trying to disrupt the session, for he did not want Jesus’ audience to learn about the kingdom of God and the truths of eternal life. Immediately Jesus cast out the demon, thus demonstrating His complete authority over the spiritual world. Those watching who had already been touched by Jesus’ teaching, were completely overcome by His power (Mark 1:21-27). What Satan tried to do to hinder Jesus, actually served God’s own purpose. He still tries to do this because on difference between God and the devil is that God is all knowing therefore He knows the end for he has predestined it here in this bible. The devil unlike God and more like us thinks he is free to change the plans of God and thinks he can win so he will stop at nothing to try to distract try to discourage try to break you but He can ultimately only do what God allows. For scripture says that such trials are ment to
Romans 5:3
Romans 5:3
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
Perseverance means endurance
James 1:2–4 (NASB95)
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Satan must be the most frustrated personality in the universe! His army of demons is compelled to obey Jesus, and whatever the devil does to discourage a Christian, God can use for the Christian’s benefit. Sometimes He allows us to suffer so that we may grow spiritually.
Satan attempts to lure us from the path of spiritual progress, and He seeks to destroy our Christian witness. This is why the Bible warns us to not be ignorant of Satan’s methods (2 Corinthians 2:11). Scripture goes on to encourage us with these words: “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” (2:14).
Therefore, we must pray that we will desire to be in the center of His perfect will.
Or true enemy is not the devil but our very selves,
WE live in the Culture of Self
some quotes about self
Your sense of self-worth comes from you alone — never the opinion of others. Robert Greene
Your self-worth is determined by you. You don’t have to depend on someone to tell you who you are. Beyoncé Knowles
If you know your true worth, you do not need anyone else to confirm it. Alan Cohen
Go all in on yourself. Jack Butcher
Only make decisions that support your self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth. Oprah Winfrey
Self-worth comes from one thing – thinking that you are worthy. Wayne Dyer
The most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself
The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
" —William James
Our entire life… consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are." —Jean Anouih
Believing in our hearts that who we are is enough is the key to a more satisfying and balanced life." —Ellen Sue Stern
To love yourself right now, just as you are, is to give yourself heaven. Don't wait until you die. If you wait, you die now. If you love, you live now." —Alan Cohen
The world in which you live in is all about self
about self ambition
self esttem
self worth
self happiness
self awareness
self driven
self worth
self image
self self self self self it all about you
what will make you happy
dont you deserve this
haven't you earned this
this doesn't make you happy
we live in a environment of the microwave instant gratification and instant expectation when this unrealistic expectation isn't met it violates our self worth self ambition self happiness
I have just two other words that use the words self found in the Bible.
Examine yourself
judge yourself
self control
you see the Bible has called us to be selfless not selfish
He has called us not to be self absorbed but absorbed in the kingdom of God
For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
explain
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
explain
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Listen the the words of the Apostle Paul
Acts 20:24 (NASB95)
“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.
Now listen to Jesus
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
WE must deny ourselves
we must sacrifice our selves as he did for us
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”