The snare of the devil

Popular cultures sometimes will have shows, movies, and books that refer to one they call, the devil or Satan and his evil spirits [demons], or people who act like this evil one. Matthew 13:19, 38-39

You might know some of those titles.

In a movie I watched, a character says,

"One of the main things the devil does is to convince people that he doesn't exist."

In reality, some doubt that the devil exists.

The Bible and its main Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 5:39, 45-47 tell a reader that the devil is a spiritual adversary, an enemy. Matthew 13:19, 38-39; 1 Peter 5:8

DEVIL and DEMONS

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1

"Away from Me, Satan!" Jesus declared. "For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'"

Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:10-11

Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. Matthew 17:18

But if I [Jesus] drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Luke 11:20

If you forgive anyone, I [Paul] also forgive him.

And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,

in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

I [Paul] am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, Genesis 3:1-7 your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

And do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6

Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will. 2 Timothy 2:26

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.

He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 12:9

FOOTHOLDS

What can give the devil a foothold, a landing place, in a believer's life that we're NOT supposed to allow? Ephesians 4:27

Pride is a landing place.

A proud look. Proverbs 6:16-17

We think more highly of ourselves than we should. Romans 12:3; 3 John verse 9

We boast about our future plans. James 4:13-16

We sometimes act as though it's OUR power, holiness, or righteousness that matters, Luke 18:9-12; Acts 3:12 but it's the Lord Jesus Christ's that's the key. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:21

If we're granted positions of authority before our lifestyles and experience Romans 5:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:10-11; James 1:2-4 indicate that we're ready, we can be lifted up with pride and fall into disgrace and the condemnation and snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6-7

Unforgiveness is a landing place.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!" [or 490 times] Matthew 18:21-22

We must forgive our Christian brothers and sisters from our hearts. Matthew 18:35

And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well. Mark 11:25

Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, "I repent," you must forgive him. Luke 17:3-4

Lust is a landing place.

Lusts of the flesh, lusts of the mind, and the pride of life: the ways of the world that believers are NOT to be conformed to. Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:24-26; 1 John 2:15-16

5 things in Mark chapter 4 that try to stop spiritual growth:

Trouble [or pressure],

Persecution,

Cares [or worries] of this life,

Deceitfulness of wealth,

Desire [lust] for other things than the Lord. Mark 4:16-19

Fear is a landing place.

The fear of man is a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord is set securely on high. Proverbs 29:25

Peace I [Jesus] leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. John 14:27

So we say with confidence:

"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment.

The one who fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18

RESIST THE DEVIL

How to resist?

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

We can clothe ourselves with humility toward one another because

"God opposes the proud,

but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5

Because the adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, 1 Peter 5:8 four steps can be part of our weapons of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 6:7; Ephesians 6:10-18

Step 1: Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.

Step 2: Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Step 3: Be sober-minded and alert.

Step 4: Resist him [the devil], standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers [and sisters] throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 1 Peter 5:6-9

Do as the Lord Jesus Christ did.

Quote the applicable Bible verses to the devil. Luke 4:1-13

WATCH OUR WORDS

A fool's mouth is his ruin,

and his lips are a snare to his soul. Proverbs 18:7

The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, Who is the head. Ephesians 4:15

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

LOVE HIS LIFE

Have an honest and good heart to hear His word and do it to bring forth much fruit. Matthew 7:24-25; Luke 8:15, 21; John 15:4-5; James 1:22

Don't love your life but love His life and what He has planned for you. Matthew 16:24-25; John 12:25-26; Ephesians 2:8-10

Don't count your own life as dear to yourself, so that none of what appears to be evil moves you. Acts 20:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 3:3

Receive a love for His truth because His word is truth. John 17:8, 17; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Happy are we IF we do these John 13:17 so we CAN avoid the traps of the devil. Proverbs 7:4-5

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Grieve, mourn, and weep.

Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:8-10

Your thoughts?

R. Jason