2. To experience a measure of success, we must define our goals: identify and avoid matters that can prevent the achievement of those goals
This is true in the spiritual realm. The Christian's goal is to please God and have a home in heaven Matt 5:48; 5:12
The Devil wants to keep us from achieving this goal 1Pet 5:8
We must not underestimate the devil - He is a very powerful foe Eph 6:11,12
However, many overestimate the devil and attribute to him ability he doesn't have

3. THE DEVIL IS LIMITED DEVIL CAN'T DIRECTLY TAKE HUMAN LIFE Job 1:8-11
Devil can't, against our will, control our mind 1Pet 5:9
Devil can't appear in human form or through demons possess people today
The devil can be resisted Jas 4:7
Many things show the devil's limited power

4. THE DEVIL IS LIMITED
DEVIL COULD NOT PREVENT JESUS' BIRTH OR TAKE HIS LIFE
Most important birth and most threatening to Satan Gen 3:15; Gen 22:18, Gal 3:16-19
When Jesus was born, the devil could not kill him Matt 2:16; Matt 2:19ff

5. THE DEVIL IS LIMITED DEVIL NOT ALL KNOWING
Shown by his efforts to kill Jesus by killing all babies two years old & under Matt 2:16
Not only is the devil limited, but in view of horrible sins Satan's followers engaged in, shows the devil to be representative of all that is bad, sinister, and against man

6. THE DEVIL IS LIMITED DEVIL COULD NOT INDUCE JESUS TO SIN
Devil appealed to Jesus through lust of flesh, pride of life, and lust of eyes Matt 4:1-11 (note also Gen 3:6)
Satanists teach devil has more power than God; yet Jesus' temptation shows this to be false
Think what would have been accomplished if the devil had succeeded
Devil failed in stopping Jesus' becoming sin offering for world, which Isaiah prophesied Isa 53:4; Matt 16:21-23

7. THE DEVIL IS LIMITED DEVIL COULD NOT PREVENT JESUS' RESURRECTION
Series of events, viewed separately, meant so much as to Satan's failure or success
Yet, considered collectively, they all culminated in Jesus' triumphant victory over death and the grave
If devil failed to prevent Jesus' birth; cause Jesus to sin, and His death, Satan now had to keep Jesus from arising to die no more, but again the devil fails
Consider accomplishments of Jesus' resurrection and what a blow these were to the devil: 1Cor 15:13-22

8. THE DEVIL IS LIMITED
The devil doesn't deserve the image and reputation some give him
"Devil so strong I can't overcome him"
"I can't continue in truth because so many false teachers." Note: 1Jhn 4:4
The devil is a failure and those controlled by him are weaklings because they are not using God's power to defeat Satan
It is true: we must not underestimate our enemy the devil (1Pet 5:8), but neither should we overestimate him

9. THE DEVIL IS LIMITED
Many things devil could not do because of lack of ability and today he is still inept
Man needs to cease giving too much credit to the devil and start resisting the devil and put him to flight Jas 4:7