Satan's Attack

That title should piqued your interest. This Sunday I am speaking on a controversial subject because around half of the populace doesn't believe that there is a real devil. The percentage will obviously be lower in our church but it still presses the question is there a real devil and does he affect our lives?

John Eldredge is a popular author and he wrote this in his book, "Wild at Heart" - Satan will throw a thought or a temptation at us in hopes that we will swallow it. He knows your story, knows what works with you and so the line is tailor-made to your situation. Just this morning in my prayer time it was pride, then worry, then adultery, then greed, then gluttony. If I thought this was all me, I'd be very discouraged. Knowing that my heart is good allowed me to block it, right then and there. When Satan probes, make no agreements. If we make an agreement, if something in our hearts says, "Yeah you're right," then he pours it on. For example, if you're a man and you see a beautiful woman and something within you says, "You want her." That's the Evil One appealing to the traitor within. If the traitor says, "Yes I do," then lust really begins to take hold. It can formed into what the Bible calls a "stronghold." This can make a good man feel awful because he thinks he's a lustful man when he's not, it's an attack through and through.

With Halloween a few days away and the sense of darkness both in nature and in the spiritual realm increasing, I am thinking about the devil's schemes and how I can overcome them. My encouragement is found in 1 Peter 5:6-9. Take a look for yourself.

Standing Firm,
Barry