DRAWING NEAR
September 7
The Extent of Satanic Opposition
"Stand firm against the schemes of the devil" (Eph. 6:11).
Satan opposes everything God does.
The believer's conflict with the forces of darkness is rightly called
spiritual warfare since Satan and his evil world system are hostile
toward everything God does. By nature they are anti-God and
anti-Christ.
Satan is the antithesis of every godly attribute. God is holy; Satan
is evil. God is love; Satan is the embodiment of hatred. God redeems
His children; Satan damns his. Jesus reveals grace and truth (John
1:17), but Satan "does not stand in the truth, because there is no
truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own
nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies" (John 8:44).
God gives life, whereas Satan breeds death (Heb. 2:14). God produces
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Satan produces
immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities,
strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions,
factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and the like (vv. 19-21).
God uses trials to prove the genuineness of your faith and increase
your joy and spiritual endurance (James 1:3). Satan uses temptation
in an attempt to destroy your faith and silence your testimony. God
grants freedom from the bondage of sin, while Satan wants to enslave
you to sin for all eternity (2 Tim. 2:26).
Jesus is your advocate, pleading your cause before the Father (1 John
2:1). Satan is your accuser, blaming you incessantly for things God
has already forgiven (Rev. 12:10).
As Satan opposes everything God does, he'll also oppose God's
children. When he does, don't be overly concerned or think of it as
odd or unfair. Expect trials, be prepared, and rejoice because they
show you're a threat to Satan's system and an asset to Christ's
kingdom.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Thank God for the joy of knowing Christ and being free from
sin's bondage. Ask Him to use you today in a powerful way for
His glory.
For Further Study:
Read Romans 14:17 and 1 John 2:16-17. What characterizes the kingdom
of God? The evil world system of Satan?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
John 1:17
17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.
John 8:44
44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father
you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not
stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks
a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the
father of it.
Hebrews 2:14
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood,
He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might
destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of
wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I
tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those
who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
James 1:3
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
2 Timothy 2:26
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of
the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
1 John 2:1
2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may
not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous.
Revelation 12:10
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and
strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ
have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before
our God day and night, has been cast down.
Romans 14:17
17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
1 John 2:16-17
16 For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the
world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who
does the will of God abides forever.
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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