The attack of the evil one has a counterattack straight from God’s word. When we recognize the devices of the devil coming against us, then we can put to practice these seven things. We can sum these practices up in one phrase, abide in Christ. When we stay in fellowship with Jesus, we are safe from Satan’s…
If the truth be known, people are deluded into thinking that their mental well-being and sense of fulfillment in life is based in their faith in God when it is really based on human opinion. They are fixed on what others think of them. The natural and legitimate concern for a Christian is not to…
Matthew 18 and similar passages reveal that forgiveness in some contexts is connected to forgiving or release of a debt. Similarly, when one sins against another, the offending person is in debt to the offended. Ideally, both the offender and offended meet halfway to reach reconciliation (cf. Matthew 5, 18). But, the difference is that…
Matthew 18 records Peter coming to Jesus and asking, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive mybrother or sister who sins against me?” The context of the rest of that chapter is on the topic of forgiveness. After sharing a parable of the wicked servant who was treated mercifully and given more time to pay…
The Bible deals with evil in many different ways. One of the most common occurrences of evil in the Old Testament is the wicked nations that oppress God’s people. The Scriptures clearly remind New Testament saints that their struggle is not against flesh and blood (humankind), but against rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark…
The first thing that we must learn to do is make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts (cf. Romans 13:14). Once we have identified the temptation and the weakness of the flesh, do not seat up the scenario for failure. Whatever context, setting, environment, or class of people that is associated with…
A method used by Satan is to simply present the golden cup but keep the poison in it undisclosed or to present the bait and hide the hook. The focus is on captivating the mind by presenting that which is alluring and pleasant to the senses or the mind. The bait is that which appears…
Revelation 2:24 gives Christ’s words to Thyatira. He says, “But unto you I say, and unto therest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak, I will put upon you no other burden but to hold fast till I come.’ The lies…
In 2 Corinthians 11:11, Paul refers to Satan getting an advantage of us and that Satan will not have an advantage if we are not ignorant of his devices. The Greek word signifies to have more than belongs to one. The thought is taken from the greedy merchant that tries to take every opportunity to…
Satan would hope that we would downplay the seriousness of sin. “It’s just a little white lie,” he would think. He had told Eve, “You will not die.” It seems we have bought into the idea that certain sins are worse than others. Catholics have distinguished mortal sins from venial sins. Some understand the biblical…