Decoding the Devil- Our Protection

1) satan targets the mind- Eve

a) Satan’s weapon- lies

i) Satan’s purpose- ignorant of God’s will

1) your defense- the inspired Word of God

do I spend time daily readiung God’s Word and meditating on it?

Do I systematically seek to memorize Scripture?

Do I find myself automatically thinking Bible when I am tempted or when I face decisions?

Do I find myself better able to detect Satan’s lies?

Are there any lies in my mind right now that I am believing?

Do I know GOd’s will for my life? Do I really want to know?

Am I delighting to do GOd’s will and doing it from the heart?

2) Satan’s target- the body- Job

a) Satan’s weapon- suffering

satan wanted to use Job’s body to defeat God, and God wanted to use job’s body to defeat Satan

i) Satan’s purpose- impatient with God’s will

James 5:11 KJV 1900

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

1) your defense- the imparted grace of God

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 KJV 1900

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

1 Peter 5:10 KJV 1900

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

3) Satan’s target- the will- David

a) Satan’s weapon- pride

i) Satan’s purpose- independent of God’s will

1) your defense- the indwelling Spirit of God

4) Satan’s Target- the heart and conscience- Joshua

a) satan’s weapon- accusation

i) Satan’s purpose- indictment by God’s will

1) your defense - interceding Son of God

Test #1- Am I doing this for the glory of God, or just to please myself?

Romans 4:20 KJV 1900

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Matthew 19:26 KJV 1900

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

what is the motive? Am I doing this for God’s glory alone?

true faith is motivated only by the desire to glorify God

Test #2- Am I rushing ahead impetuously, or am I willing to wait?

Faith and patience go together; true faith is not in a hurry until God opens the way

Isaiah 28:16 KJV 1900

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: He that believeth shall not make haste.

Test #3- Can I defend what I am doing from the Word of God?- True Faith is always grounded in the Word of God, the Bible.

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

no matter how reasonable an action may seem, if it contradicts the Word of God you cannot do it by faith. The Bible gives us precepts to obey, promises to claim, and principles to follow.

Our firends may encourage us, and circumstances may seem to favor us (Jonah found a ship waiting for him!)

Test- #4- As I contemplate this move, do I have joy and peace within?

Romans 15:13 KJV 1900

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Where there is true faith, the Holy Spirit is at work; and where the Spirit is at work, he will produce the fruit of hope, joy and peace. when you lose GOd’s peace within, you know you have somewhere detoured from the will of GOd.

We must learn to distinguish between our human emotions and the deeper work of God in our life, GOd never denies our emoutions, he certainly can uste them to accomplish his purposes. But often as we step out in faith we experience human fears and anxities, but if we are walking by faith, these fears will eventually be overcome by a deeper joy and peace.