WHAT’S HURTING US RIGHT NOW? - CONCLUSION
Declaring War on the Devil
This week we have discussed the devastating effect worldliness can have upon us. We have noted how Satan works hard to distract us by appealing to our materialistic desires, our craving for fun and our overly committed schedules. We have discussed the results of his efforts as they have damaged our efforts to evangelize the lost and our families. Tonight we ask the question, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? We have given answers to the various issues we have discussed as we addressed them. But before real change takes place there has to be a change in our attitudes. If we really want to change, we have to declare war on the Devil.
As we examine our lives, there are actually a number of different reactions that we could have. We could become discouraged and give up. We could become fearful and withdraw into our homes and become recluses. We can be flippant and just dismiss it as the way it is. OR we can become indignant about what is going on, stand up and DO SOMETHING about it!
A. A big mistake many make is to underestimate the power of Satan. Why is worldliness a problem in our lives? Because we didn’t think Satan would have the effect he had in our lives.
B.
He is powerful
John 12:31 – Jesus referred to him as the ruler of this world
1 John 5:19 refers warns us the world lies under his sway
2 Corinthians 4:4 – he is the god of this age
C.
He is shrewd
1 Peter 5:8 – Satan walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour
2 Corinthians 11:3 – he is crafty, considering the way he deceived Eve.
D.
He will rule your life if you let him!
When we love the world and its pursuits – we are serving him. We are letting
him rule our lives.
It may not be what we want to do – but if we are not serving God with our all,
he is influencing our lives.
And he will stop at nothing to keep us from serving God as we ought to – he will
lie, cheat, deceive, tempt, distract, persecute and do whatever he can to keep
you in his service.
2 Corinthians 2:11 warns us to be aware of his devices.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 says he transforms himself into an angel of light.
E.
Before we can do anything, we have to be aware of
these things.
Ephesians 4:27 – don’t give place to the devil
1 Thessalonians 5:6-7 – we are to be sober and watch
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant because of Satan
A.
But while Satan may be powerful, he is still weaker
than God.
1 John 4:4 – He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world
1 John 3:8 – Christ was manifested to destroy his works
B.
With God’s help we can overcome him
Colossians 1:13 – he has delivered us from the power of darkness
Matthew 6:13 – in our prayers, we request, “lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from the evil one”
1 Corinthians 10:13 – God will make the way of escape.
We can resist him – 1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7
A.
What is righteous indignation?
Indignation – “1. The feeling excited by that which is unworthy, base or
disgraceful; anger mingled with contempt, disgust or abhorrence. 2. The effect
of anger, punishment.” (Webster)
“an intense, passionate desire of an overwhelming and possibly destructive
character; intense desire” (Louw & Nida)
“Passion, angry heat” (Thayer)
Righteous indignation – the above passion directed toward that which is right
and godly.
For example – John 2:13-17 when Jesus cast out the moneychangers. Later his
disciples realized as it was written, “zeal for your house has eaten me up”
(Psalm 69:9)
Also when Moses broke the tablets of stone, you find this anger (Exodus
32:19-20).
B.
Let us understand it is ok to hate
Hatred is a God given emotion than when properly channeled is good.
God hates: Divorce (Malachi 2:16); 7 things including division and pride
(Proverbs 6:16-19)
NOTE Psalm 5:5 – “The boastful shall not stand in Your sight, You hate all
workers of iniquity”
Proverbs 8:13 – “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and
the evil way. And the perverse mouth I hate.”
Romans 12:9 – tells us to “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil.
Cling to what is good.”
C. Brethren, it is time to become indignant. It is time to become angry with intense feelings.
1. Why is worldliness such a problem in our lives? IT IS BECAUSE OF SATAN!
2. We do we not do right when we want to? Why do we give into temptations?
3. Why is it that when we try to do right, Satan always places an obstacle in our way? IT IS BECAUSE OF SATAN!
4. We need to despise him and even hate him.
5. Anytime you suffer, it is because of him. When we say goodbye to our loved ones it is because of Satan.
6. When the church has to withdraw from someone it is because of the devil. When we lose our children and loved ones to the world, it is his work.
7. When we see a society that hates God and you because you believe in Him and try to do right it is because of the influence of the devil in their lives.
8. We ought to abhor him because he will do anything he can to keep us out of heaven. He is the one who tries to fill our schedules with distractions and activities that keep us from giving God the time he deserves.
9. BRETHREN, if you are not the Christian you ought to be IT IS BECAUSE OF SATAN.
10. BUT, DO YOU DESPISE HIM ENOUGH TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?
A. September 11, 2001 changed the way America operates forever. Because of the evil, cowardly and underhanded way our terrorist enemies attacked us, we had no choice to declare war against terrorism. I remember our president addressing the nation and pointing to the fact that this war would be unlike any other war ever fought. We could not simply sit back and do nothing. So we
1. We declared war on our enemies
2. We took steps to cut off their resources and limit their ability. We cut off their bank accounts and tightened our borders to make their efforts to attack us here more difficult.
3. We went to our allies and presented our case to build up support against these enemies of freedom and Jehovah God.
4. Then we went to the enemy and engaged them on their own soil.
5. We launched EVERY weapon at our disposal and spared no expense to defeat them.
6. Since then much has happened, some good and some bad. We have seen success in many areas and failures in others. But this is a war we are still engaged in and we know that we CANNOT allow them to win.
7.
My goal here is not to address political issues in
this lesson.
BUT as Christians we need to declare war on the devil and the strategy just
mentioned is a good pattern.
B. Declaring war on the devil
1.
As Christians we must wake up to the fact that WE
ARE AT WAR! Satan has launched an assault against us. The question is: WHAT
ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Ephesians 6:10-13 tells us that WE ARE AT WAR!
1 Timothy 6:12 – Paul admonished Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith”
2.
We need to cut off his resources in our lives
While it may be painful, if we want to overcome the devil we have to give him
less of our resources.
Often the Bible speaks of that which we ought to “flee”
Sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18); youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22);
idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14), etc.
We need to take steps to avoid whatever tempts us and distracts us from serving
God.
3.
We need to plead our case before God.
If we truly believe that He is greater than the Devil (AND HE IS!) we need to go
to Him in prayer asking for His help. Matthew 6:13 – “lead us not into
temptation”
4.
We need to go to our brethren for strength
Our brethren ought to be a source of strength against the devil. When we have
problems we ought to be able to turn to them for help and prayers. One reason
Satan gains such a grip in the lives of so many is because we don’t spend enough
time together as Christians, whether it be worshipping God or simply preferring
one another.
5. We need to put on our gospel armor and unsheathe “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:13-18). If we to overcome Satan in our lives, we need to use every strategy and resource we have at our disposal to drive him away.
6. Finally, we need to engage him on his territory. We cannot sit back in our buildings and wait for him to come before we start fighting. If he makes it to the church we are in great trouble. Our goal is to keep him out.
7. We CAN win! While we have seen failures and setbacks in our “war on terror”, we can fight this battle with confidence that we can and will win, because we know God is in control. If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)
A. We have to CARE!
1. Why is so much of this world lost? Because they don’t care about the devil’s influence in their lives or about God. And until we convince them to care, there is NOTHING you can say or do to make them.
2. Often we do not do more because we do not care enough. We are concerned and we would love to see change, but do we CARE ENOUGH to really do something about it?
3. Until we care deeply about our current situation, we are just simply not going to be motivated enough to do what needs to be done, either in our own lives or in the lives of others.
4. Philippians 3:7-9 – consider Paul’s attitude – he was willing to give up everything earthly to be with his Lord. He cared enough to suffer for His cause and to do without.
5. And caring is something that others notice. If you want to greatly improve your chances of reaching others, learn to care about them. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
B. We need to make up our minds whose side we are on
1. We cannot straddle the fence and win the war. In fact we cannot straddle the fence and be pleasing to God.
2. Jesus said, “He who is not with Me is against Me; He who does not gather with Me scatters abroad” (Matthew 12:30)
3. Remember the call of Joshua in Joshua 24:15 – choose this day whom you will serve
4. Matthew 6:24 – you cannot serve 2 masters. Friends, you CANNOT defeat sin while still trying to hold on to some of it. You will not conquer evil in your life if you try to COMPROMISE with the enemy. It just won’t work and God will NOT accept it.
C. We can never give up
1. Understand that this war will not be easy. Satan won’t give up. He is not going to sit back and let you do what you want to do. He will fight back and use every weapon at his disposal. AT times it will seem like he is winning (again). BUT don’t give up.
2. Hang in there and keep trying. If you fall down, get back up and keep going.
3. We are told in Hebrew 3:6 that Christ is a “Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”
4. Paul said, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9)
That’s it. This study has been brought to its conclusion. It is my hope that what has been said is first in accord with God’s word and then that it will move us to resolve that we are going to be whatever God would have us to be. The Lord’s church is hurting in so many places and Christians are suffering spiritually because of Satan. But I sincerely believe that we want what is best for God’s church here and abroad, and we want to go to heaven when this life is over. The question is, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? I close with this scripture, And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:11-14. The lesson is yours.