Scripture and Notes
Sometimes, especially when you seem to really be trying to “do the right thing” life kicks you in the butt…hard!
What are we, as Christians suppose to do when we feel BLINDSIDED by Satan?
Well, I believe that God wants us to know very specific things about the nature of Satan; who Satan is, what Satan wants, and what we are to do when we are approached by Satan.
Let’s talk about it-
Decsribe the last time you felt under the attack of the enemy. Did you feel prepared to defeat the enemies attack?
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Who is Satan?
John 8:42-47(NLT)
Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
Ephesians 6:12(NLT)
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
What does Satan want?
Passage John 10:10(KJV)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I have been attacked on every possible level during the most intimate of times…I always took the attack as being something "personal" against me or God's disapproval with me but nothing could be further from the truth! The enemy isn't interested in you or I, it's our relationship with God the enemy wants to destroy. For example- You may be going through something within your marriage and think, the devil wants me to get a divorce or be lonely...That is NOT what the devil wants. You being lonely or getting divorced is extra, like icing on the cake for Satan but what the enemy wants is for you to stop trusting God's promise for your family, to lose faith in His covenant with your marriage, and for you to act out in your despair so that you can relinguish all that God has promised you. There is a reason why we say "the trick" of the devil.
Have you ever taken an attack from the enemy personal?
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There is a systematic approach to defeating the enemy’s attacks-
1) Know who your opponent is.
2) Know what your opponent wants.
3) Know your opponents weakness.
4) Know your own strength.
5) Learn how to: Suffer, be offended, and stand accused for His righteousness!
How Do We Defeat Him?
God never leaves us alone to figure out what we need to do...He loves us enough to tell us exactly what we need to do
Passage Ephesians 6:11-18
Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor 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 armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 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.
God would not warn us of the need to stay alert if He wasn't well aware that the attack was coming. As Christians, we can nver claim to be surprised of an enemy attack when God has already told us- Who the enemy is, what he looks like, what his nature is, what he wants, and everything we need to defeat the enemy has already been provided!
How will you stand on God's Word to better handle your next attack? How does your understanding of who Satan is, what Satan wants, and how God has equipped you to handle his attacks changed your perspective of feeling Blindsided?
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