There are times when we battle with stressful situations, when it seems that we have lost control. When we groan and sweat under the stress and strain of life, we are serving Satan instead of God! So we must, “Be sober, be watchful; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR.” (1 Peter 5:8) When we serve God, and GOD ONLY, our life is harmonious, free, loving and happy. It is only when we let that old devil, the human side of our nature, take over that we become tense, anxious, worried, hurried, fearful and over-burdened. It has nothing to do with God or His world. It is simply the result of our allowing the human in us to be INSPIRED BY THE DEVIL, to control our lives by controlling our thoughts, our feelings and our reactions to life and living. Therefore we must, “RESIST THE DEVIL, stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too. After you have suffered a little while, our God, who is full of kindness through Christ, WILL GIVE YOU HIS ETERNAL GLORY. He personally will come and pick you up, and set you firmly in place, and make you STRONGER THAN EVER.” (1 Peter 5:9-10)
We are unable to stand against the Devil in our own strength, confronted by the reality of his person and activities, we must look for the answer to our problem. Can we be victorious over this ruthless enemy who tempts, accuses, distracts, and destroys? The answer is an unequivocal YES! Not only is his ultimate fate sealed; there is open to every Christian the means of VICTORY—DAY-TO-DAY VICTORY—in our conflict. It is possible to stand firm, to defy and to defeat every wile of Satan. It is possible to overcome him whenever and wherever he attacks. This is not to imply perfect sanctification. Rather, it is to affirm the complete effectiveness of the triumph of Christ and of the provisions He has made for those who look to him for victory. So here is what we do!!!! “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES (tricks) OF THE DEVIL. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. STAND therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the SHIELD OF FAITH with which you will be able to quench (extinguish) ALL THE FIERY DARTS OF THE WICKED ONE. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is THE WORD OF GOD…” (Eph. 6:11-17)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham