- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
Know your enemy - he knows you!
'I AM AFRAID THAT JUST AS EVE WAS DECEIVED BY THE SERPENT'S CUNNING, YOUR MINDS MAY SOMEHOW BE LED ASTRAY...' 2 CORINTHIANS 11:3
The human mind is an amazing thing. In fact just the fact that we have the brains we have and that we think the way we do is a powerful argument for the existence of God - the divine designer. But our minds are often a battleground, for example temptation always begins in your mind. Satan gave Eve the idea of eating the apple, Eve wasn't just standing there trying to figure out how to be naughty. You must understand that the first thought to do evil, isn't from you. God's given you a new nature which doesn't think of evil stuff. The devil studies you the way a footie Manager studies his opponents' matches. Satan knows your weak spots. He knows which temptation has the best chance of catching you out. How often have you ended up saying 'I promised God and myself that I'd never do that again,' yet you did it. That's because satan knows what works on you. But before you feel all weak and defenceless, God gives us this assurance: 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will [keep the temptation from becoming so strong you can't stand up against it]. When you are tempted he will show you a way out so you can endure' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). God builds a back door into every temptation with a lighted 'exit' sign over it. So while it's guaranteed you'll be tempted, you can beat it. And the good news is, when satan discovers that his strategies and plans against you aren't working, he goes looking elsewhere.
'I AM AFRAID THAT JUST AS EVE WAS DECEIVED BY THE SERPENT'S CUNNING, YOUR MINDS MAY SOMEHOW BE LED ASTRAY...' 2 CORINTHIANS 11:3
The human mind is an amazing thing. In fact just the fact that we have the brains we have and that we think the way we do is a powerful argument for the existence of God - the divine designer. But our minds are often a battleground, for example temptation always begins in your mind. Satan gave Eve the idea of eating the apple, Eve wasn't just standing there trying to figure out how to be naughty. You must understand that the first thought to do evil, isn't from you. God's given you a new nature which doesn't think of evil stuff. The devil studies you the way a footie Manager studies his opponents' matches. Satan knows your weak spots. He knows which temptation has the best chance of catching you out. How often have you ended up saying 'I promised God and myself that I'd never do that again,' yet you did it. That's because satan knows what works on you. But before you feel all weak and defenceless, God gives us this assurance: 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will [keep the temptation from becoming so strong you can't stand up against it]. When you are tempted he will show you a way out so you can endure' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). God builds a back door into every temptation with a lighted 'exit' sign over it. So while it's guaranteed you'll be tempted, you can beat it. And the good news is, when satan discovers that his strategies and plans against you aren't working, he goes looking elsewhere.
