Hello Church Devotion Aug.22, 2013
S is for Satan
S is for Satan
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV 84
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV 84
Satan is referenced in several different ways throughout scripture. Satan is known as the devil, the evil one, and the enemy to name a few. The names of Satan elicit many thoughts and images of beasts and horned villains that might pop in to some of our heads. As fake and unintimidating as some of the images maybe, we can be certain that Satan is real and he is prowling like a roaring lion waiting for someone to devour. From the beginning of scripture shortly after creation we catch the first glimpse of Satan and his trickery as he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden through the serpent. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?(Genesis 3:1, NIV)” As the story continues Satan continues to use the serpent to cast doubt upon God’s wisdom. Adam and Eve fall trap to his lies and reject God’s ways.
Satan is referenced in several different ways throughout scripture. Satan is known as the devil, the evil one, and the enemy to name a few. The names of Satan elicit many thoughts and images of beasts and horned villains that might pop in to some of our heads. As fake and unintimidating as some of the images maybe, we can be certain that Satan is real and he is prowling like a roaring lion waiting for someone to devour. From the beginning of scripture shortly after creation we catch the first glimpse of Satan and his trickery as he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden through the serpent. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?(Genesis 3:1, NIV)” As the story continues Satan continues to use the serpent to cast doubt upon God’s wisdom. Adam and Eve fall trap to his lies and reject God’s ways.
As Satan succeeded in the garden he continues to promote lies and deception to trick us in to sin as he has done throughout history and even to this day. No one is exempt from his temptations but one has overcome all of the tricks and deception.
As Satan succeeded in the garden he continues to promote lies and deception to trick us in to sin as he has done throughout history and even to this day. No one is exempt from his temptations but one has overcome all of the tricks and deception.
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him (ESV).”
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him (ESV).”
It is in Christ’s being tempted that we can be assured that He knows what we are going through and that He can provide us with strength to face the challenges and temptations that lie ahead. Satan and all his tricks can seem overwhelming to us as we go through the struggles each and every day. So we must be reminded to turn our eyes to Jesus our Savior who faced the same temptations we face and conquered them to demonstrate his power over Satan. Satan likes to remind us of all our failures and sins to convince us that we are unworthy, unloved, and that we have no hope. Christ enters into that dialogue and breaks through the lies to claim us as his own. It is not by our works that we are saved, but it is by his grace through faith in Christ and what he has done that saves us. Satan would have us focus in on ourselves while Christ would have us focus on Him. Satan, constantly and continually tries to deceive us in attempts to distract us from the faith which saves.
It is in Christ’s being tempted that we can be assured that He knows what we are going through and that He can provide us with strength to face the challenges and temptations that lie ahead. Satan and all his tricks can seem overwhelming to us as we go through the struggles each and every day. So we must be reminded to turn our eyes to Jesus our Savior who faced the same temptations we face and conquered them to demonstrate his power over Satan. Satan likes to remind us of all our failures and sins to convince us that we are unworthy, unloved, and that we have no hope. Christ enters into that dialogue and breaks through the lies to claim us as his own. It is not by our works that we are saved, but it is by his grace through faith in Christ and what he has done that saves us. Satan would have us focus in on ourselves while Christ would have us focus on Him. Satan, constantly and continually tries to deceive us in attempts to distract us from the faith which saves.
As we go about our day we can be encouraged and reminded that faith in Christ saves us. We are children of God by adoption through water and the word. Yes, we will slip up and fall and Satan will be right there spreading lies and trying to trap us in disbelief. But we can stand firm in the faith that clings to the works of Christ who then clothes us with his righteousness. Satan has no power over us for he has been defeated. Christ is the victor and in him we take refuge.
As we go about our day we can be encouraged and reminded that faith in Christ saves us. We are children of God by adoption through water and the word. Yes, we will slip up and fall and Satan will be right there spreading lies and trying to trap us in disbelief. But we can stand firm in the faith that clings to the works of Christ who then clothes us with his righteousness. Satan has no power over us for he has been defeated. Christ is the victor and in him we take refuge.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I confess to you this day that I am a sinner. I have committed sins against you and against others. Lord, forgive me for my sins for the sake of your Son, Jesus. I pray that you will help me to reject the lies that Satan offers that claim you don’t love me and to reject his deceitful ways. Lord, you have shown that you are the King of kings and Lord of lords by conquering Satan. Let me be reminded that he has no power over me and that you have called me and claimed me as your own. Give me strength to face each days challenges and to always stand firm in the faith you have given me in your Son. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I confess to you this day that I am a sinner. I have committed sins against you and against others. Lord, forgive me for my sins for the sake of your Son, Jesus. I pray that you will help me to reject the lies that Satan offers that claim you don’t love me and to reject his deceitful ways. Lord, you have shown that you are the King of kings and Lord of lords by conquering Satan. Let me be reminded that he has no power over me and that you have called me and claimed me as your own. Give me strength to face each days challenges and to always stand firm in the faith you have given me in your Son. I ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
Further Thoughts:
Further Thoughts:
1. How might we respond to the lies Satan throws our way? (i.e.: we aren’t good enough, you are not loved, God can’t love someone so sinful, etc.)
1. How might we respond to the lies Satan throws our way? (i.e.: we aren’t good enough, you are not loved, God can’t love someone so sinful, etc.)
2. When temptations come our way what resources has God given us to face them?
2. When temptations come our way what resources has God given us to face them?
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.