03-26-08 "Bible study entitled" How much power does the devil have "

[Aspros_Tigris]

<Chuck> Tonight's Bible study is entitled" How much power does the devil have in the life of a Christian"

<Chuck> I: He doesn't have any power

<Chuck> (Luke 10:19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

<Chuck> As a Christian you've been given power over all the power of the enemy.

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<Chuck> II : If the devil has no power....How does he get Christians to do bad things

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<Chuck> A: He uses fear

<Chuck> (1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

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<Chuck> 1 Peter 5:8 refers to the devil as being a roaring lion.

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<Chuck> When a Pride of lions goes hunting for antilope on the Savanna they don't chase the antilope.

<Chuck> What they do is....the young strong lions go up ahead of the herd and couch down in the grass

<Chuck> along the side. Then they send a couple of old toothless lions (who couldn't hurt the antilope)

<Chuck> behind the herd. The old lions roar and the antilope run from the roar in fear and the young lions

<Chuck> grab them as they run by.

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<Chuck> The devil uses this same tactic to get Christians to sin

<Chuck> he uses fear

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<Chuck> B: He uses deception:

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<Chuck> (2 Corinthians 11:13) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

<Chuck> (2 Corinthians 11:14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

<Chuck> (2 Corinthians 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

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<Chuck> He deceives you into thinking something is good or helpful

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<Chuck> C: He uses Scripture

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<Chuck> (Matthew 4:6) And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

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<Chuck> He uses Scripture taken out of context to deceived Christians

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<Chuck> III: How can a Christian protect themselves from the devil

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<Chuck> A: watch out for him.

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<Chuck> (1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

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<Chuck> 1 Peter 5:8 says to be sober and to be vigilant....in other words be alert and keep an eye out for the devil

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<Chuck> B: submit to God and resist the devil

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<Chuck> (James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

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<Chuck> If you resist the devil.....he'll run from you

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<Chuck> C: Put on the armor of God

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<Chuck> (Ephesians 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

<Chuck> (Ephesians 6:11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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<Chuck> God has given you armor to protect you from the devil

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<Chuck> D: Study the Word.

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<Chuck> (2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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<Chuck> If you know the Scriptures and the context in which they were written .

<Chuck> The devil can't use them to decieve you.