1/10/17 – Genesis 3:1-5

“The Enemy”

There are several truths about the enemy:

1) The enemy is real. There is a real enemy. The real enemy is not someone else or even yourself, as some say. The enemy has a name; Satan, the devil.

2) The enemy is crafty. Genesis 3:1, says, “more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.” That word crafty literally means cunning or deceitful. So, to say that the enemy is a snake is an understatement.

3) The enemy wants, looks, aims, desires to Deceive you. I’ve quoted 1 Peter 5:8 more than any other verse in the bible, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Now most of us would say that the enemy wants to kill me. But what if it’s not your physical life that he wants to destroy, but your spiritual life. The enemy is not out with a band of bandits to snipe you from 1,000 yards out. he (I refuse to make the snake have a big H) looks to get close to you, I think just like this snake in Genesis 3.

Here are just 2 ways from Genesis 3:

1) To Cause Doubts (V.1) “Did God actually say”. I think we need to look and listen to God’s Word and question what it says and what Truth He wants to speak in our lives. Not to lead to doubt, but knowledge. To stand in Truth and not waiver in uncertainty.

2) To Cloud your Faith Walk and lead you to walk to Spiritual failure (V.4) “You will not surely die”. I’m not calling myself or anyone else a failure. I even struggled writing that word. Webster defines failure as, The lack of Success. When I don’t have success, I have failure. If I’m not in the game, I can’t even win.

That, in my opinion, is what the enemy desires to do. Make you doubt yourself, your relationships, your callings, your passions for Christ that you do have, who you should be, how you should serve. I can go on and on. Because I know these are things that he has tried to make me doubt and some I times, I have.

I know that I have walked in spiritual blindness, even as a Christian, because I was not walking it in faith and following close to Jesus. When we walk away from His presence we begin to walk in the presence of another, the enemy.

So how do you combat “the snake”, avoid deception, keep clear spiritual vision, and walk in victory?

Just a few things:

1) Know The Truth – Grow in Truth. I’ve had John 17:17 stuck in my head for weeks and I’ve desired to preach this way recently and let God do the changing as only He can. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” Jesus even says in this high priestly prayer that God’s Word would keep them from “the evil one” (John 17:14-15) – Read it.

2) Submit To The Truth – James 4:7-9 says, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

3) Resist the enemy – Look at James 4:7 – “Resist the devil”. Also 1 Peter 5:9, after we have a command to be on the lookout Peter says, “Resist him, firm in your faith”.

4) Let Christ Guide Your Life and Fight Your Battles – I love how Paul writes in Ephesians. IT’s ALL OUT WAR. And a battle we are in. This is a call to be warriors in Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-20 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

5) Tell Someone About Jesus – I’ve found when I get down and feel out that the greatest cure is to be who God has called me to be and tell someone about Jesus. Paul asked Jesus to give him the strength to allow his mouth to open so he could boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.

You may feel like a failure. That you have been deceived. That you are walking in Spiritual blindness. You’ve been beating up on yourself and you allow the enemy to keep pushing you down. You can STOP NOW. You can overcome Spiritual failure.

Jesus told his disciples that He would Overcome and He did. Jesus Overcame the enemy so you can stand victorious in Him. Run to Him!

John 16:25-33 – You made it this far, so you might as well open your bible and read it.

I Love You in Jesus,

Bro. J

I FEEL LIKE PREACHING