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The Three-Pronged Attack of Satan When we read of Satan in the Bible we are made aware that he tempts man under three forms. The first is that of a subtle serpent. Paul wrote that the serpent had beguiled Eve with his subtlety (2 Cor. 11:3). In Genesis three we read of his changing the simple statement that God had given and promising what could not be realized. "Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4-5 NKJV) He cleverly convinced her that the consequences of her action would not be as God had stated. Satan uses the same subtlety in enticing one through the pleasures of sin. He subtlety convinces us we won't get caught; we won't become addicted; we won't pay a price. Satan also tempts man through deception in taking on the form of an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Satan can deceive one into thinking he is doing is the will of God when in fact it is Satan's will. He deceived Saul of Tarsus into believing that by persecuting the church he was doing God's will. He deceived those in Corinth into believing they possessed the same authority and influence as the apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). He deceived Hymenaeus and Philetus through their assumption that the resurrection of the saints had already occurred (2 Timothy 2:17-18). He has enticed many brethren today into thinking the church must change and the old paths are worn and out-of-date. They are led to believe they are saving the church when in fact they are troubling it. Finally, Satan tempts us a roaring lion. He tries to intimidate us through the strength of his attack. He does this by means of persecutions and/or trials (1 Peter 5:8-9). Demas compromised while facing the trials of being with Paul during his imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:10). How many Christians have forsaken God during times of grief, times of suffering, times of illness?
It is no wonder that God tells us to be sober and vigilant in guarding
against Satan's attack (1 Peter 5:8). It is a comfort to know that "we
are kept by the power of God through faith..." (1 Peter 1:5) and that
if we resist Satan he will flee from us (James 4:7). Be Not Weary In Well Doing -- Bob Bauer-- |
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AM
SERMON:
"I
Have Played the Fool, and Have Erred Exceedingly"
1 Samuel 26:21 Jackie Stearsman |
PM
SERMON:
"Interpretation
Principles"
2 Timothy 2:15 Jackie Stearsman |
Baptized into Christ
New Preacher Notice!! Tonight! Parents- be sure to have your youngsters here at 5:40 for a few minutes of story and song, before the evening worship services. |
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Charlie Dupree,
Jasper Sims, Wilda Cox, James Huggins,
Don & Sheila Adkins, B.C. Carr, Sue Church, Norris Clark, Robert Cox, Maury Deaton, Earl & Vernon Wilkes, Macon & Wilda Cox, Vannie Dowdy, Frances Austin, Ervin & Alma Eubanks, Mona Howard, Sherry Hobbs, Mattie Hughs, Cliff Powell, Alzonio Rhodes, Latanea Sims, Ray McNeely, Linda Thompson, Roger Reece, Doc Anderson, Elizabeth Gillespie, Talmadge Royal, Victoria Wooster |
