It’s vital to know what the other side is thinking.

Dealing with the Devil’s Devices Danube Int’l Church February 20, 2005

What have we just observed? Sin is attractive. Sin is seductive. Sin is destructive.

How do I prepare for sin’s coming? Pursue the Lord actively. Learn the truth thoroughly. Confess known sin immediately.

How do I prepare for sin’s coming? Study biblical and historical examples. How did heroes of the faith succeed? Why did those who failed fall? How can we avoid their mistakes and sins?

How do I prepare for sin’s coming? Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” 1 Corinthians 10:6  “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”

How do I prepare for sin’s coming? Pray that God will remove temptation. Mark 14:39 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

How do I deal with external temptation? Re-route! Run! Realize the essential nature of discipline! Recognize the enemy!

How do I deal with my fleshly lust? Believe that God has given you the resources to conquer lust. Learn to recognize your cycles of strength and weakness. Commit yourself to close friends in an accountability relationship. Appreciate and engage in activities and things that will accomplish positive things.

How do I deal with the devil? Who is Satan? An archangel who through rebellion has fallen from grace. Our active enemy. A liar. A deceiver. A schemer. A coward. An opportunist. He is doomed and defeated.

How do I deal with Satan, my scheming enemy? 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NIV) If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven–if there was anything to forgive–I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

How do I deal with Satan, my scheming enemy? Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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.

How do I deal with Satan, my scheming enemy? James 4:7-10 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Principles from these verses Be alert and watchful, because he will attack. Understand his schemes, because he’ll try to outwit you. Stand firm, because you need to face your true enemy. Stand firm, because you will encourage your brothers in the faith.

The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart! The battle starts in our hearts, minds and wills. Character, whether good or bad, begins within. Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character.

Ask the right questions Microsoft Corporation asks us, “Where do you want to go today?” More important questions are “Who are you going to be today?” and “Who do you want to become tomorrow?” The future begins now!