Not Ignorant of His Devices

Satan Is REAL

Satan is REAL

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Be sober, be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:12 TLB For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

Not Ignorant of His Devices

2 Corinthians 2:11 “Putting this in context” KJV Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Schemes His Wiles and Intentions His Tactics and His Thoughts His Methods His Purposes His Methods His Purposes His Designs His Sly Ways His Designs His Sly Ways Falling Prey To his Schemes Falling Prey To his Schemes

Time would fail us to even to try to begin to list all of the different schemes that satan uses against us Envy - a feeling of discontent because of another's advantages, possessions, etc At the very heart of Envy is Comparing

Did you know that it was envy that put Christ on the Cross? Matthew 27: Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

The bible is filled with Examples of Sin of Envy and Comparing Saul with David Cain with Abel his brother Israel who wanted a king like other… Joseph’s brothers who sold him into slavery David with Bathsheba

Psalm 73:1-3 1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. (I had almost stopped believing; I had almost lost my faith) 3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Matthew 20: For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

Matthew 20: And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

Matthew 20: And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

What comes from Comparing? Pride or Discontentment 2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. NLT Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

Walking Circumspectly Ephesians 5: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Maybe blinders are what we need “Training our Eyes”

Learn to Control Your Thoughts Through the Holy Spirit 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, Satan will send thoughts of Comparison of ANY and EVERYTHING

When I Compare I….. Lose sight of my NOW blessings Forget that God’s plan for me is with who and what I am right now Either become prideful or envious Tell God he didn’t do it right It distracts me – it can rob my joy I’m fixated on what I don’t have I’m taking satan’s bait…setting myself up Miss out on God’s best for my life

In Closing….really it doesn’t take much