Word for Today, Wed, 29 Dec 2004: PERSONALLY RESISTING SATAN
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Today's devotional message comes from Neil Anderson's Daily in
Christ series. This message discusses in detail how a follower
of Christ can personally resist evil temptations. It also
describes what happens when we do not resist such temptation.
The Bible is full of detail about the perils of evil that are all
around us. God provides every defense against such perils, and
he even provides both defensive and offensive weapons. God also
gives us a choice. We can take up our shields or we can
entertain evil. However, the Bible is clear about both the
benefits of resisting evil and the costs of entertaining it. The
Bible is very clear that sin is evil. God Himself provides
provision for us when we fail, for He knows how we are made and
our inclination to sin. What a wonderful God, that He provides
both choice and provision! How gracious! Let's not be passive
about sin, as we are warned in this passage. Instead, let us be
careful to protect against sin, yet quickly confess when we do
slip up, and put on better protection, lest we fall too far.
Remember, each of us is responsible for our own choices.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
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NEIL ANDERSON'S DAILY IN CHRIST
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
December 29
PERSONALLY RESISTING SATAN
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh
in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:14).
Paul instructs us to make no provision for the flesh. What if we
do? We are told to take every thought captive to the obedience of
Christ. What if we don't? James 4:7 admonishes us to "resist the
devil and he will flee from you." What if we don't resist him? Is
he required to flee from us if we don't take our stand against
him? No, if we don't resist him, he doesn't have to go. We have
the assurance of God's protection, but we must assume our
responsibility to personally resist Satan.
Ephesians 6:10-17 outlines the armor of God which believers are
instructed to put on in order to "stand firm against the schemes
of the devil" (verse 11). But if we go into battle without some
of our armor, are we impervious to getting wounded? No, if we
fail to cover ourselves with the armor God has provided, we are
vulnerable.
James 4:1 reveals that the source of our quarrels and conflicts
is the pleasures that "wage war in your members." Paul
instructed, "Do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you
should obey its lusts" (Romans 6:12). The world, the flesh and
the devil are continually at war against the life of the spirit
within us. But what if we don't fight back? Will we still be
victorious over the pleasures and lusts which strive to reign
over us? No, they will control us if we remain passive.
Choosing truth, living a righteous life, and donning the armor of
God is each believer's individual responsibility. I cannot be
responsible for you, and you cannot be responsible for me. I can
pray for you, encourage you in the faith, and support you, but if
you go into the battle without your armor on, you may get hurt.
As much as that may be a matter of concern for me, I still cannot
make those decisions of responsibility for you. Those choices are
yours alone.
Loving Father, thank You for investing Yourself in me. Equip me
to graciously invest myself today in ministry to others.
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This daily devotional is published and distributed by
Crosswalk.com. It is written by Neil Anderson at
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29686.1.293748.
Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.14.29686.2.293748.
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--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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