d-d-dealing with the d-d-devil

2Cr 2:11"So that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes."

The Bible warns that at the end of the age, the devil will increase his efforts to overthrow the church, using every means he has at his disposal. “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.” Matt. 24:24 “Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” Rev. 12:12

"And because lawlessness will increase, most people’s love will grow cold." Matt. 24:13 When Jesus addressed the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, He says “I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” They became infatuated with the world, loving the things of the world, and forsaking their FIRST love.

Today in the church, it would almost seem as if the devil is winning the battle. Oh, he has ultimately lost the war, no question about that, but in this day and age, it seems as if Christians are falling away on the right hand and the left.

There are three major ways that the devil is working today to attack the church. And his schemes are not new, he’s been perfecting them since the beginning of time.

Number one: The devil destroys. The Bible says that the consequences of sin is death. Satan is working to destroy lives through addictions like drugs and alcohol, fornication, and every other type of sin that he knows has terrible consequences, in order to trap people in a vice that will lead to their death. 1Pe 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Number two: The devil deceives. Satan is a deceiver. He is a liar, and the father of lies. Mat 24:11 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.” He offers “a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. “ Prov. 14:12 You can’t trust your own wisdom. “Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Prov. 3:6

Number three: The devil distracts. With Christians, this may be the most effective strategy of Satan against the church. They may not fall for an obvious temptation like adultery or drunkenness, but they don’t recognize the ploy of the devil to distract them from the task that God has called them to do. They think it just circumstances that compel them to make this choice, or even more dangerous, they think it God’s will. More Christians have turned aside to go down the wrong path because of misinterpreting Satan’s distraction for God’s will, when in fact, Satan has cleverly appealed to their pride. Gal 3:1 “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?” Gal 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Beware of that which appeals to the flesh. 1Jo 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be STEADFAST, IMMOVEABLE, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Cor. 15:58