Welcome!
Today: Your (only) enemy!
Passage: 1 Peter 5, Proverbs 13
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5, NIV 84)-emphasis added
God warns us about an enemy that we have-the devil
In fact, we don’t have any other enemies but the devil; others are “fake” enemies
The problem is we don’t see the devil as our enemy, which pleases the devil so much. We like to “tag” some people as our enemies, which makes devil happy!
The moment we recognize the true enemy, we will start taking steps to deal with him, which triggers the victory over devil, in our life
Knowing God as we should, keeping our relationship with God active, praising and praying to God, will help keep the devil away
Move closer to God as much as possible; the enemy will move away from us
The “little things” in our life that we ignore, may be the little slots through which satan finds access into our lives as well as our family
Some of the websites we visit, some of the TV programs (including some cartoons sometimes), some of the habits, friendships, gossips.…find out and deal with them. Watch our thoughts, words and actions!
Don’t feel like praying or reading the word of God? Means we are sick!
We can read the word of God and know God’s will; but we need prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit, to obey what the word tells us to do
Blaming the devil does not solve our problems; get him (devil) before he gets us!
Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God. But I think that the worst part was their unwillingness to acknowledge their mistake and repent before God.
Instead of saying “God, we are sorry”, they both blamed it on somebody else!
God hates that. God loves people who take responsibility for their actions
That is why God loved David and Peter, and disliked King Saul and Judas Iscariot
It is the best, not to fall into sin. But if we did, confess it to God from the depth of our heart. David and Peter never fell in to such sins later in life
God forgives, when our confession is real, when we mean what we confessed
There must be an attempt from our part, to escape that sin next time (Rom 6)
Be aware of God; beware of the devil!
God bless you
BG
Prayer: Your response to the message.
Proverbs for today: Proverbs 13
2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.
3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (Prov 13, NIV 84)