The two great enemies of our soul are sin and Satan.
And sin is the worst enemy, because the only way that Satan can destroy us is by getting us to sin.
~ JOHN PIPER, Future Grace
So even when Satan messes with us, don’t count him as our most formidable foe.
Our sin is.
The only way [Satan] can do us ultimate harm is by influencing us to sin.
Which is exactly what he aims to do.
All his other shenanigans—like sickness and lost visas and spooky sounds and green apparitions and various intimidations—all these things cannot do us ultimate harm, unless they lead us to sin.
So while Satan tries to get us to believe his promises over God’s promises—which would always lead us to sin—our strategy is to believe more in God’s great promises and grace instead. To not sin.
Counter Satan’s strategy by fortifying your faith in the Father.
He’s already paid the price for your victory.
It’s a sure win.
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith...
1 Peter 5:8-9
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12 comments:
A sure win... I love that!
I love that verse! I did a study on it once, the definition in greek of devour brought it to life.
Thanks for the reminder.
A big YES to this! Hope you're having a great weekend.
Good strategy here!
Very well Lisa. I want to get to the place where I recognize my sin immediately and confess and turn from it.
Amen to this!
Be strong in our faith--a definite need. Putting on the armor of God will protect us from the spiritual battles we fight against temptation.
Wise words.
Blessings,
Janis
This is so true. Satan can't make us sin. We have to do it voluntarily. We need to be aware of this and pray for God's strength to resist.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Lisa, thank you for reminding, encouraging, and pointing us to GOD.
Loved this: "So while Satan tries to get us to believe his promises over God’s promises—which would always lead us to sin—our strategy is to believe more in God’s great promises and grace instead. To not sin."
And the "sure win"!
I especially like the paragraph beginning, "All his other shenanigans..." Frequently other Christians (and probably I myself) have blamed such things on Satan, but it's such a good point that those things cannot harm me unless they entice me to sin in response (as by believing in his promises over God's). Thanks for sharing this. Grace and peace to you!
Love this: our strategy is to believe more in God’s great promises and grace instead. To not sin.
Satan's lies do hurt us when we believe them. However, when we replace his lies with God's Truth, we're on the road to sanctification, healing, and wholeness. Ergo... we must know and study His Word.
Blessings!
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