"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

Failure on the part of the Christian to submit to God means defeat at the hand of the enemy.

I. CHRISTIAN CONDUCT TOWARD SATAN (Eph. 6:12):

A. We are warned to beware of him as the devouring lion (1 Pet. 5:8).

B. We are commanded to resist him as the tempter to pride (James 4:7).

C. We are forbidden to hold any parlay with him as the provoker to wrath (Eph. 4:27).

D. We are instructed to fight him with truth as the foe to righteousness (Eph. 6:17).

E. We are promised he shall not touch us as the Evil One (1 Jn. 5:18).

[1]. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph. 6:12
[2]. If we are not watchful, and do suffer ourselves to be "taken captive of the devil at his will," the Holy Spirit, God's keeper of the saints, holds power to deliver us over "for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus;" (2 Tim. 2:26; 1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20) "there is a sin unto death." (1 John 5:16)

II. THE CHRISTIAN'S ARMOUR (Eph. 6:11-18):

...do not despair; we are not in a losing battle. (1 Cor. 15:57)

...don't blame Satan for what the flesh does. (Rom 7:15,17,19,24,25)

...we are to enjoy full victory; we must wear all the armour.

[1]. Not to put off and on periodically, but once for all; the act of surrender in (Rom 12: 1,2).
[2]. Put the whole armour on and be ready when attack comes. "...having done all, to stand;" because we defeat him once does not mean that Satan gives up and will not try again. (6:13)
[3]. He may roar like a lion (1 Pet. 5:8), but we are not to let the voice bring fear to us; Satan is the one on the run.

A. Loins girt with truth (6:14) - truth binds the Christians's armour together and leaves him unencumbered for the battle.

[1]. Jesus is truth (John 14:6); the Word is truth. (John 17:17).
[2]. Satan is the father of lies. (John 8:44).
[3]. Daily devotion in the Word is a must, then, for Christians to know Christ. (Phil. 3:10)

B. The Breastplate of Righteousness (6:14) - we stand in Christ's righteousness (Rom. 4:22,24); Christ is our security and safety; thus, Satan will tempt us to fight in our own strength (Phil 4:13).

C. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (6:15) - the gospel is not a message of confusion; it provides a peace that cancels out fear, so we should always be in readiness to publish this good news.

[1]. Jesus left us His peace (John 14:27); peace with God (Rom. 5:1); and peace of God. (Phil. 4:6,7)

D. The Shield of Faith (6:16) - In order to be of help, the soldier must have the shield with him to use when needed; ' word hidden in heart' (Psa. 119:11

Examples: Abraham (Rom. 4:19-21), and Job (Job 13:15) fight the GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH. (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7)

E. The Helmet of Salvation (6:17) - The helmet protects the head no matter which way it is turned (1 John 5:13); when the head and mind is in turmoil due to difficulties and strife, Satan will throw the dart of doubt - are you saved? (2 Cor. 5:17; Heb. 7:25; 1 Pet. 1:5; 1 John 1:7; 2:1; 2 Cor. 10:5)

F. The Sword of the Spirit (6:17) - Satan cannot stand against the Word; though he may use it at times himself, he either uses only a 2art of it or gives another meaning that does not belong to it.

G. The Prayer Battle (6:18) - "always", to be alert at all times; "all prayer", all elements of prayer, definite, not vague; prayer is not trying to set God to join our side, but it is joining Him in His service; it is a battle to pray - BOLDLY. (6:19)

 

III. WHY SATAN IS STILL AT LARGE:

Satan's presence or absence on the world scene makes a big difference in the actions of men:

[1]. At present - Satan is not limited, thus the worst of evils are increasing among men (wickedness, brutalities, deceits, etc.).
[2]. When Satan is cast out of heaven - in the Tribulation, sin will came a head with all the horror bursting on the earth.
[3]. Then, Satan chained for a thousand years - righteousness and peace will reign with Christ.
[4]. Following the thousand years - Satan will be loosed for a little season a reason host will follow him, then the judgment!

Why then does God allow Satan to be active and loose at present?

[1]. All claims of Satan being tested, to be proven complete failures.

(a). When the record is completed, all the claims and boasts of the enemies of God will be silenced in failure.

[2]. God-rejecting men will stand self-condemned.

(a). Men are rejecting God now, and His grace has withheld the day of wrath; but judgment will come and men cannot escape it.

[3]. Christians can become overcomers.

(a). Christian character is developed in the constant war against sin and Satan in a way that would be impossible otherwise. (God worked the testings of Job and Peter for their good.)

[4]. Christians need opposition for service.

(a). As the Christian witnesses and serves against opposition, he is laying up treasures in heaven, crowns for rewards, all of which brings delight to the heart of God.

 

"THAT THE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS THAN OF GOLD THAT PERISHETH, THOUGH IT BE TRIED WITH FIRE, MIGHT BE FOUND UNTO PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY AT THE APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST." (2 Peter 1:8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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