Learning To Live Like A Winner (Pt 2)

James 4:6-10

Who’s the winner… who’s the loser? (Eph 1:15-23)

· Christ thoroughly defeated & disarmed Satan at the cross. (Col 2:15)

o We need to see our enemy as he is… Satan is a defeated foe.

· Promise… the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack. (2Tim 4:18)

· Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God… the work is completed, & there is no doubt about the outcome of the war because the enemy is already defeated. (Eph 1:21) Rest in His victory.

· God’s incomparable great power is available to those who trust & wait. (Eph 1:19)

· Even so, spiritual warfare is real, serious & mortally dangerous.

What does it mean to resist the Devil? (Ja 4:6-10)

· Many Christians have never once resisted the devil in spiritual warfare. (Ja 4:7)

· Satan’s great hope is to be ignored. To resist him we must understand & even respect him.

· The way to resist him is not with special formulas or words directed at him & his demons… but by remaining firm in the Christian faith, & close to the Lord.

o All power, authority, & victory are in Christ… abide in His presence.

o Daily choosing Christ & righteousness & drawing near to Him is best resistance.

Knowing what to resist. (Eph 6:10-13)

· How do you identify &resist spiritual terrorists (demons) from entering your home, or your own heart & life?

o The H Spirit & the Word are your “detectors”… are they “on” in your home/life?

· In spiritual warfare our enemy is not “flesh & blood” but spiritual evil forces… resist Satan.

· Thankfully, we don’t have to resist Satan in the power of the flesh, but with armor of God.

· The enemy is on the outside… we stand against an outward attack.

· When someone in NT was demonized, Jesus cast the spirit out of the person.

· If evil spirits are attacking from outside, Jesus didn’t cast them out… He resisted them.

· To do battle with the enemy on the outside, we resist him with the Truth. (Lk 4:1-13)

· The Bible does not tell us to resist temptation… but to resist the tempter.

o If we try to resist temptation, we focus on the very temptation that will ensnare us.

o Bible does tell us to flee from temptation… & run to the Lord (the focus on Him).

Is God testing us… or is Satan tempting us? (Ja 1:12-14)

· How does Satan operate & how can we recognize his temptations & lies?

· If we are tempted to do evil, we can know that it’s not from God. (v.13)

· God only tests us to strengthen our faith & draw us to Himself.

· How do you know if what you’re facing is a temptation from the enemy or a test from God?

o If it is a test from God… you will be drawn into a closer & deeper walk with Him.

o For believers, God works all things for good… even Satan’s temptations. (Rm 8:28)

· Every person is tempted… no Christian is exempt from the battle.

· We are tempted when we are drawn away by our own lust, & enticed. (v.14)

· It is not sin to be tempted… Jesus was tempted in every way as we are. (Heb 4:15)

· Satan’s lie is that since you thought about it, you might as well do it. In truth it may not have been your thought at all, but an intruding thought from Satan. You don’t have to act on it.

· It is no sign of weakness or immaturity to be tempted… Jesus, full of Spirit… (Lk 4:1-2)

· When Jesus resisted Satan the first time, Satan did not flee. (Lk 4:3) Satan will often persist… our job is to continue to resist in power of God’s Word & strength of H Spirit.

· All Scripture is profitable, but Jesus used specific Scripture for specific temptation.

· We are all tempted in the same way… through our lusts. (Ja 1:14)

· Satan only tempts us to do what we would secretly want to do anyway.

· What tempts others may not tempt you… Satan will tempt you where you are vulnerable.

Effective ways to resist Satan. (Ja 4:6-10)

1. Humble yourself before God (Ja 4:6)… acknowledge your need of grace & guidance.

o Pray, “Father, lead me in the right paths, for Your reputation is at stake.” (Ps 23:3)

2. Submit yourself to God (Ja 4:7)… dedicate your body to glorifying God (Rm 12:1), your mind to thinking His thoughts (Phil 4:8), your emotions to loving God (Mt 22:37), & your will to serve God. (Jn 12:26).

3. Actively resist the devil (Ja 4:7)… come against Satan using the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 2:9-11) & standing in His finished work on the cross. Read Rev 12:11 & note the ways (Christ’s blood, their faithful testimony, willing to lose life) the saints overcame Satan.

4. Counterattack (Eph 6:18-20)… Select prayer targets for each area of attack, & pray that these people will be saved & do great harm to Satan & his kingdom.

5. Draw near to God (Ja 4:8)… “cleanse your hands”, plead the blood of Jesus & ask forgiveness for any sins. “Purify your heart”… use Ps 139:23-24 as a guide for your prayers.

6. Get back in the race (Heb12:1)… take captive every thought & lie of the enemy (2Cor 10:5), fix your eyes on Christ (Heb 12:2).

7. Put on the full armor of God (Eph 6:11-13)… pray on each piece of the armor daily, so that you can stand your ground.

We are in a serious wrestling match. (Eph 6:12-13a)

E.g. In Paul’s day, wrestling matches were serious, grim events. If we fail to resist, we fall into sin that breaks fellowship with God, & sin can lead to increased attacks, bondage & spiritual blindness.

· Get alone with God & ask Him to reveal your temptation “hot buttons” so you can be prepared to resist the tempter when he comes.

· Best form of resistance is the Word. Find specific Scriptures that speak to your need & be ready to use them when Satan comes against you. Resist the devil & he will flee from you.

· Have you been losing your battles with temptation? (Ps 139:23-24)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps 139:23-24)