Devo Notes: I am Victorious (Ch 16, "Who Do You Think You Are") 8/12/18

Aug 13 Mon - Eph 6 Aug 14 Tues - James 4 Aug 15 Wed - 1 Peter 5

Aug 16 Thr – 1 john 3 Aug 17 Fri - John 8 Aug 18 Sat – John 14

PRAYER: A - Adoration (prayer of centering; focus on God's goodness)

C - Confession (prayer of repentance and asking for God's forgiveness)

T - Thanksgiving (prayer of gratefulness, content, joy, avoiding pessimism)

S - Supplication (prayer for others; then pray for yourself)

S - STOP and listen... give God some time to speak to you --- end with the LORD'S PRAYER

I. Eph 6:10-14, "For your battle is not simply between flesh and blood, but against the spiritual hosts of evil... Therefore, put on the full armor of God..."

- Recommend The Screwtape Letters, by CS Lewis; p. ix, "There are 2 equal and opposite errors into which humans can fall regarding the devil. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to have an unhealthy/excessive belief about them

A. Jesus, the Bible, Satan and demons - Satan, temptation, spiritual evil is real

1. Gen 3:4, "The snake/devil said, "Did God really say that? No! You won't die...

2. Job 1:6-12, "Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you seen my servant, Job...

3. Zech 3:1-2, "And Satan stood beside the angel, to accuse Joshua...

4. Jesus' Life/death - Mark 1:12 Temptations; Healing of Demon-Possessed; to Peter, "get behind me Satan"; John 8:44, "He is the father of lies..."; John 10, "The thief comes to kill and steal; to the crucifixion (and countless other scriptures)

5. Disciples: Acts 5:3, Peter to Ananias, "Satan has filled your heart...

James 4:7, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"

1 Peter 5:8-9, "Your enemy, the devil, prowls, looking to devour

1 John 3:8, "The one who sins is of the devil..."

II. Point: A War is Raging, and You Can Win. How?

A. Recognize-confess that the War Exists - Can't Win What You Don't Fight

- Satan's greatest tactic is PRIDE (tempting us to think the "War" doesn't exist)

B. Know Your Enemy and His Objectives

- Satan = the great antagonist who hates, is jealous of (and wants to be) God

= Satan can't hurt God directly, so moves against God's children

- John 15, "You glorify God when you bear fruit" vs. when you don't

- Eph 4:30, "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God" - humans do it

= Temptation = Satan's attempt to get you to grieve/hurt God

C. Know Your Enemy's Weakness = Against Jesus, Satan has NO defense

- ANSWER = It is you, "in Christ" Eph. 1; It is Christ, "in You" Col 1:27

- ANSWER = TRUTH vs. Lies (John 8:31 vs 44-45: Truth will set you free vs. Satan is the father of lies.) - Truth always liberates; Deception always oppresses

1. Go back 10/20/30 years, would you create a better life? Why? Truth

2. If you believe it, but "it" is wrong, it is a deception from the father of lies

3. The ONLY way out = to follow the One Truth, who is Jesus

- John 14:6, "I am the Way, and the TRUTH... this is no small thing

Application: Where are you believing in lies today? Do you see why a daily walk with Jesus, both in studying (devotionals) and applying His truth is important?