Plain Talk Vol.18, No.12, Pg.5 - Cedar Park Church of Christ

Vol. 18, No. 12	February, 1982
*USE YOUR BIBLE*

THE DEVIL'S DESIGNS (1 Pet. 5:8,9)

Intro.

1. This adversary has many "wiles" (Eph. 6:11) & "devices" (2 Cor. 2:11) with which to devour. We must recognize & resist his efforts:

I. TO DISCREDIT A. God 1. By suggesting Him a liar: "thou shalt NOT surely die" (Gen. 3:4) 2. By impugning His motives (Gen. 3:5) 3. God the Son called glutton & winebibber (Matt 11:19)

B. God's people 1. As Job (Job 2:5); John & co-workers by Diotrephes (3 Jn. 10) 2. As Paul (Acts 16:20; 17:7,18; Acts 18:13) 3. Elders, preachers & other saints often maligned, misrepresented...

C. God's word 1. "Foolishness" to some (1 Cor. 1:18); claim irrelevant, contradictory...

II. TO DISTRACT

A. By corrupting minds from singleness (2 Cor. 11:3) 1. With "thorns" or riches, cares, pleasures to choke out word (Lk. 8 2. With other "things that are upon the earth" (Col. 3:2; 1 Jn. 2:15)

B. By emphasizing "religion" to neglect of righteousness (pleasing God)

III. TO DIVIDE

A. As at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:10f) and with Diotrephes (3 Jn. 10) 1. Internal strife through pride, envy, jealousy, backbiting, etc.

B. Through false doctrine (Acts 20:30; 2 Tim. 4:3,4, etc.)

IV. TO DISCOURAGE

A. One of Satan's most effective tools 1. By personal weaknesses, sins of brethren, lack of results, etc. 2. "Let us not be weary in well-doing" (Gal. 6:9)

V. TO DELAY

A. Encourages "convenient-season" service; says "later" good enough 1. God says "NOW"; "redeem the time"...

VI. THE DIVINE PLAN OF RESISTANCE (God says "resist", Jas. 4:7) A. By being sober and watchful (1 Pet. 5:9)

B. Resist "in your faith" (whether subjective or objective)

C. By not giving place to him in anything (Eph. 4:27) Dan S. Shipley

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