Learning from Ephesians 6

2 Mistakes Christians make in view of the Enemy

1.)     MAGNIFIES the ENEMY
Making him look like he is bigger than he actually is. We visualize
them as monstrous, massive demonic creatures. And the Angels, we
visualize as Tiny little babies with wings. If it was a match between
the 2, to whom would you bet, right?
Do not think he is bigger than our God! Never! God who is in us is
greater than he who is in the world.

2.)     MINIMIZES the ENEMY
You  may think he is too small and easy for you to handle and he is
not enough to get through you. Do not underestimate your opponent.

It is wrong to magnify him, it is also wrong to minimize him. There is
a spiritual warfare going on, and you and I must FOCUS on JESUS. The
author and finisher of our faith.

It is said, A nation with an enemy but does not know it is unsecure!
Know you have an enemy!
And he has a Scheme! – “methodia” –deviously and carefully thought out
plan, systematically designed to damage you and  your life as a
Christian and get you off track with your relationship with God. He
has a scheme against you, he knows exactly what your weaknesses are
and he will use it to damage you. Beware of temporary pleasure.

There is this man who parked his car outside his house. When he was
ready to go, he found out his car battery has been stolen. He was mad
and all that, and moved on to where he was going taking a cab. After a
few days, by his door is a brand new battery with an envelope.  A
letter apologizing to him for getting his battery, saying, “my car
broke right by your car and battery was dead so I took yours, was in a
hurry coz I was taking my wife to the hospital about to give birth. If
not for your battery, my wife and baby would have not made it. In
gratitude, I got you a brand new battery and two tickets to the front
seat of the NFL game this weekend”.  He’s like wow it’s my favorite
team playing this weekend. The man was touched that he got to actually
help someone plus got a brand new battery and got tickets to his
favorite team’s game.  Him and his wife went to the game, had fun and
really enjoyed it from their front seats! When they got home, and
opened their house…the house was next to empty! They’ve been schemed
from day 1! Just when they left for the game, a trailer pulled and got
all their stuff and ran away with it while they enjoyed an NFL game!

Beware of the devils schemes! It will plan things out just when you get off your guard…to DESTROY YOU!

6 Devil’s Scheme
1.      Accusation – He would accuse you to the core, you did this, you did
that, you’re bad, you’re hopeless.

2.      Condemnation – He will tell you, you don’t match up… You are not
praying enough, not sharing Jesus enough.

3.   Isolation – He will do everything to isolate you from your family,
from your Spiritual family, from every family you have all together.
Remember, no devourer (like Lion’s) will attack a full herd, he will
strike and go for the strayed one.  The enemy will make you feel you
are not a part of…church, family, God’s family.

4.      Temptation – His scheme will be like dangling glitters, he will use
something/someone particularly interesting to you. An admirable man or
woman at school or work will give you time and listen to you, hear out
your issues and complains, maybe you will start sharing your marital
issues, next thing you know, you are getting comforted and jumping
into an affair. Be mindful who you have coffee with as they say,
especially if it’s the opposite sex, even while you think you are just
ministering!

5.     Deception – He will offer you an idea that will make you feel it’s
best for you. Without asking God, it seems like it’s the right thing.

6.      Distraction – If after all the 5 schemes fail…and still you won’t
sin, still you choose to obey God and seek God. The enemy will simply
distract you so you don’t communicate and relate with God. Things that
doesn’t seem damaging as much as what is clearly sin…As simple as
making you watch a show instead of pray. Keep you busy at work or
business that you no longer do devotion…Anything to distract you away
from God.
What is the Remedy? How do we go against the devil’s schemes?

1.      BE STRONG – Ephesians 6: 10-13

I’m not talking about being muscular, showing off and flexing like
you’re hulk and a health buff, although that is also good, physical
fitness has it’s benefit.  Be strong in the LORD. Be strong the way
Jesus was strong! How?
You must have Jesus’ attitude. Have the nature of a Servant…Obedient,
even to death!

Divinity comes from humility…

Strength comes from weakness…it is acknowledging your absolute need of
God’s grace.

My grace is sufficient for you…Acknowledging that God’s power is
perfected in our weakness. The CROSS was the greatest display of
Weakness.

TRUE HUMILITY is an Accurate understanding of what we really are
stripped of God’s grace. It’s having the knowledge that we are more
wicked than we can think possible with out Him. See God…see what you
are… When we look at the Cross…see the cost of our sin…the life of the Son of God. The physical pain Jesus felt on the cross was not the most
painful thing, although he bore the pain no man can ever do, Jesus
didn’t say…My feet my feet! What Jesus said was My God, my God why
have you forsaken me….The greatest pain was separation from His
Father. To be separated from our Father God is the most painful thing
in life..to be separated from Him means not having the love, the
grace, the peace he wants us to have. You and I …so sinful, so flawed,
so wicked!
Look at the cross with Humility!

2) CONFIDENCE
The Cross is the greatest display of weakness…The Cross is also the
greatest display of Strength.

On the Cross, the Son of God defeated the power of sin! Defeated the
Power of death and the power of the devil!

JESUS disarmed the devil. That’s our Confidence!

How? Remember the more you try to be confident on our own, the more
you will get insecure
.
TRUE Confidence is having an accurate understanding of who you
are…Because of Grace, we can have the confidence that God loves us and
will take care of us. Look at the cross! See how loved and affirmed we
are, see what God was willing to give for us. His one and only
begotten Son! You will know when you are loved and how much you are
loved based on what the other person is willing to give you and for
you… his time, his involvement in your life, his plans in life with
you and for you. God’s plan involves you and I in eternity with
him,the word says I am preparing a place for you.

If not for the cross. You and I will just be as evil as the devil. As
doomed as him. But Because of the Cross, because of what God gave, we
can be victorius.

God has given us the power for life and godliness. No weapon formed
against us can prosper!

Want to accept Jesus Christ in your life today? Pray with us.

Name of Series: ALL IN – in Christ

At Victory Church QC, for more topics click here
by Ptr.Paul from Nashville Tennesse

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