Your Life is a Target for the Devil

 

What is Your Life? Part 2

 Introduction

A lot of people don’t realize that once you become a Christian, Satan works that much harder against because you’re no longer his and he wants you back. You become a target of the devil on a daily basis, and he won’t stop until he wins, or you die in the faith (Rev. 2:10).

Of course, when you see a typical image of what is supposed to be the devil, you know that if you were to see someone, or something, like that, you would avoid them at all costs. But the devil doesn’t look anything like that; in fact, no one know what he looks like at all and that’s what makes it that much more challenging.

The apostle Peter warns us, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Knowing your adversary is one of the best ways to defend against him.

 

The Devil has 3 Main Weapons

The apostle Paul warns us of Satan’s devices, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). Those devices are described by the apostle John, For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world (1 John 2:16). We’ll look at each of these devices one at time and how’s he previously used each.

Lust of the Flesh—When the serpent tempted Eve, he told her that the forbidden fruit would not cause her to die, “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5) They thought it was a great idea to ‘be like God’ and they gave into that temptation.

When Satan tempted Jesus, his first attempt was to encourage him to break his fast by turning stones into bread (Mt. 4:3). However, Jesus didn’t give into this temptation but, quoted scripture to him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

Lust of the Eyes—When Eve gave into the serpent’s comments she approached the tree, So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6) Again, rather than heeding God’s warning, they listened to the serpent.

When Satan tempted Jesus the second time, Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” (Matthew 4:5-6) Again, Jesus used scripture to resist the devil (Mt. 4:7).

Pride of Life—The whole reason for Adam and Eve to give in and eat of the forbidden fruit is that they were told that they would become like God, discerning good and evil.

When Satan tempted Jesus the third time, Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8-9) And yet again, Jesus refused temptation by quoting scripture (vs. 10).

Looking at both examples of temptation, only Jesus used scripture to resist the devil. Just because there wasn’t any scripture written in the garden of Eden, both Adam and Eve could have been vigilant to stand against the serpent and say, “That’s not what God told us.”

 

Look for the Escape Route

Paul gives us some great encouragement when he says, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). When temptation comes your way, find the escape that God provides for us. Whether it be: closing our eyes, turning our heads, or simply walking away from a situation, we can beat it.

 

Conclusion

Temptation will follow you to end of your days but if you remain faithful (Rev. 2:10), the reward will be worth it. As Paul writes, But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:7-8).