The Devils Schemes
If you are warned an aware of the trap, you most likely will not fall into it.
[The following material is both inspired and
mostly stolen from Rev. Jared Pingleton, Psy.D. (drpingleton.com). Wanting to avoid plagiarism, it’s just easier
to assume the following teaching is the work of Dr. Pingleton. But of course, I
have inserted what I felt God wanted me to improvise upon]
2 Corinthians 2:11 (MSG) & (NLT)
After all, we don't want to unwittingly
give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we're not oblivious to his sly
ways; For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
Today I want to make you aware of how
our spiritual enemies attempt to stop us from growing deep, growing up and
growing fruit; from living our lives to the full; from engaging, edifying,
encouraging and empowering others. The ancient weapons against us are
deception, distraction, diversion, doubt, discouragement, defeat, devouring,
and destruction. Once you become
familiar we are going to speak about the need to maintain unity in the Body of
Christ.
If we believe that the Bible reveals the
truth to us, then we must accept as fact that there is a spiritual enemy that
wants to undo God’s work of salvation within us. We are not about to give the
devil his due this morning. Instead awareness of how the battle is waged
against disciples of Jesus will help you recognize and defeat these attempts to
defeat you.
There is a spiritual enemy. Consider
these enemy revealing scriptures:
Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)
Put on the full armor of God so that
you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not
against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms.
John 8:44 (NIV) & (MSG)
[The devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding
to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native
language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. When the Liar speaks, he
makes it up out of his lying nature and fills the world with lies.
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your
enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour.
There are two extremes when considering
devils, demons and evil spirits. In his very insightful book about spiritual
warfare C.S. Lewis writes in The Screwtape Letters: “There are two equal and
opposite errors into which we can fall into. One is to disbelieve their existence. The
other is to believe, and to develop an excessive interest in them.”
This calls the disciple to caution. Some believers
fear these demonic forces. There is no need to fear, but rather be aware. God
the Holy Spirit, His mere presence in your life protects you from direct
demonic attack.
1 John 4:4 (NLT)
“…because the Spirit who lives in you is greater
than the spirit who lives in the world.
Then there are people who have the Christian
religion but are not followers of Jesus, they do not have a vibrant, intimate
relationship with God through Christ. They may believe many good and true
things about the faith, their theology may be correct, but they stand far off
from God. It’s these self-deceived, these dabblers in religion who are in
danger.
Acts 19:13-16 (NLT)
A group of Jews was traveling from town to town
casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their
incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches,
to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one
time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know
Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them,
overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the
house, naked and battered.
Two huge errors the Seven Sons of Sceva made.
First, they were obsessed with the demonic. The fancied themselves, exorcists.
Second, they invoked the name of Jesus without having a relationship with
Jesus. The demonic gave them a smackdown. If you are a believer and a doer, a
disciple of Jesus you need not fear, for the scripture says:
James 4:7 (NIV)
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
One of the indications that someone is obsessed
with the demonic is that they see demons everywhere, behind everything. They
have demons of smoking, drinking, headaches, basically, anything negative is
because there is some evil spirit oppressing you. These folks run around
rebuking the devil.
Jude 1:8-9 (NLT)
In the same way, these people—who claim authority
from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority and scoff at supernatural
beings. But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare
accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
If you ever run into something you discern is
demonic in nature just say: “The Lord rebuke you!” A rebuke is a strong word of
disapproval, it is a cease and desist order. You need not fear, but you do need
to be aware of the traps and snares of the enemy.
Trap #1
The devil seeks to deceive. Recall John 8:44—Jesus
said that Satan is the father of lies. The devil and his ally egoism use three
things to deceiver you. The devil uses your own pride to deceive you.
Obadiah 1:3 (NIV)
“The pride of your heart has deceived you…”
The devil and his ally egoism use your arrogance
to deceive you.
1 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
Do not deceive yourselves. If anyone of you thinks
he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so
that he may become wise.
The devil and his ally egoism use your
self-righteousness to deceive you.
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen
to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Be on guard for pride, arrogance, and
self-righteousness. Be wary it’s a trap.
Trap #2
The devil seeks to distract us from the most
important things to lesser important things such that we stop growing as
disciples of Jesus. In his letter to the church in Ephesus Jesus through John
commends the congregation for their hard work, good deeds, and perseverance.
Yet goes on to rebuke them telling them that they have forgotten their first
love (Revelation 2: 4) In all their work, good work, they have done something
wrong.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge
crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that
slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run
with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes
on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith
The Ephesian congregation took their eyes off
Jesus.
Be on guard for the good things that will pull you
away from the best things, good things that get you to move your eyes off
Jesus. Guys you know when a particularly attractive lady walks by, you seem to
automatically take notice. That’s a distraction. The same idea applies here. Be
wary distractions are a trap.
Trap #3
The devil seeks to divert. Diversion is simply
getting you off the main point. It’s like getting medicine from the doctor that
will deal with the symptom but not cure the cause. Diversion is getting you to
look at the minors and inconsequential so that you miss the majors and that
which is most important. That’s what persistent anger does. You don’t even know
why you’re mad, you’re just angry all the time.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT)
“Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t
let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to
the devil.
Be on guard for your anger, it can be used by the
devil to gain leverage in your life. Unrighteous, inordinate anger, is a trap.
Trap #4
The devil wants you to doubt. This is the oldest
trick in the book. Genesis 3:1 the serpent asks these sly questions of the
Woman and she begins to doubt that God has her best intentions at heart.
Doubt causes double-mindedness.
James 1:6-7 (NCV)
But when you ask God, you must believe and not
doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the
wind. Such doubters are thinking of two different things at the same time, and
they cannot decide about anything they do. They should not think they will
receive anything from the Lord.
Be on guard against doubt. Whom you trusted in the
light, you can trust in the darkness. Doubt is a trap.
Trap #5
The devil desires to discourage you. When those
frustrating setbacks come, when you can’t seem to get a break, when things are
going from bad to worse, when there is more opposition than allies, we can
become discouraged. Discouraged we think about quitting, about giving up and
giving in. There’s no progress, why continue the fight? That’s another lie.
Hebrews 12:3 (NIV) & Galatians 6:9 (MSG)
Consider [Jesus] who endured such opposition from
sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. So let's not allow
ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good
crop if we don't give up, or quit.
Be on guard against discouragement. It’s a trap.
There are three more schemes of the devil to stop
the work God is doing in you and through you. Defeat (Psalm 60:12), Devouring
(1 Peter 5:8), and Destroying (John 10:10). We’ll have to save our
consideration of these at a later time. We need to spend these last few minutes
revealing the devil’s scheme of disunity.
Denominations and non-denominations are nothing
but a compromise with the devil. Believers, saints of God, his children, with
minor disagreements on fine points of doctrine, divide because they can’t
accept that someone has a differing opinion than theirs on how to understand
scripture and live a devout and holy life.
Disunity in the body of Christ is sin.
I Corinthians 1:10 –let there be no divisions
among you
Colossians 3:13-14 –love binds in perfect unity
John 17:23 –complete unity is a sign to the world
Romans 12:16 –live in harmony with one another
Philippians 2:1 –be lovers, one in spirit.
The scripture references just continue urging us to
be united as one. Differing opinions are fine, differing doctrine is just
opinions anyway, be one with each other. The Holy Spirit empowers unity,
harmony, and peace amongst us. Forgiveness and compassion are the Spirits gifts
to us.
So the devil sends his agents into our ranks to
create disunity, division, schism, and internal conflict. What is truly sad is the devil exploits you
and uses you to create disunity.
“Since the primary motive of evil is disguise, one
of the places evil people are most likely to be found is within the church.
What better way to conceals one’s evil from oneself as well as from others than
to be some highly visible form of Christian within our culture.” (M. Scott
Peck, People of the Life)
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NLT)
These people are false apostles. They are
deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But, I am not
surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So, it is no
wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.
Don’t be a servant of the devil. “But God told me!”
That line is the biggest spiritual cop-out to cover just doing what you want to
do. God will never tell you to destroy the unity of the church. “But they are
so wrong!” Disciples of Jesus in your bulletin and it will be on the webpages
also are to ancient creeds of the faith that proclaim what is right. Beyond
these statements of belief is all human opinion. “But they were not nice to
me!” Were they nice to Jesus?
John Wesley taught “think and let think.” Beyond
the truth of the creeds, it’s all opinion.
Hostility between you and another believer, that’s
sin. Read Mathew 5:23-26, Matthew 18:15-17, James 4:11. If you are prone to gossip,
you are being used by the devil to destroy the unity of the church (2
Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 16:28). If it’s got to be your way
or the highway, you are being used by the devil to destroy the unity of the
church (James 2:19).
Bottom line is that when there is disagreement
that turns into animosity everyone involved has fallen for the devil’s trap.
Disagreement is healthy but when it turns into sides when it becomes us verse
them, that’s sin. Don’t be an agent of the devil.
If there is sin in the camp; abusive leadership, heresy,
sexual misconduct that’s another story that we need to talk about some other
time. We want unity and purity. What I want you to walk away with today is to be
aware of the devil’s schemes and don’t be a source of disunity in the Body of
Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to
live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and
gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep
the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
THE CREEDS OF THE
CHURCH
(Note catholic does not mean Roman Catholic,
catholic refers to the Church universal consisting of all those who have put
their faith in Christ for salvation)
The Apostle’s Creed
We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of
heaven and earth. We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the
third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right
hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead. We
believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
AMEN.
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one
God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of
heaven and earth, of all that is, seen
and unseen. We believe in one Lord,
Jesus Christ, the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God
from God, Light from Light, true God
from true God, begotten, not made, of
one being with the Father. Through him
all things were made. For us and for our
salvation he came down from
heaven: by the power of the Holy
Spirit he became incarnate from the
Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius
Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the
Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe
in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father
[and the Son]. With the Father and the
Son he is worshipped and
glorified. He has spoken through the
Prophets. We believe in one holy
catholic and apostolic Church. We
acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and
the life of the world to come. AMEN.
Athanasian Creed
Whosoever will be
saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which
faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall
perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: that we worship one God
in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing
the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and
another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the
Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated;
the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited;
and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy
Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also
there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one
infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy
Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the
Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not
three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the
Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are
compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be
God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are
three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor
begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten.
The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor
begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son,
not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none
is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the
whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as
aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped.
He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is
necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the
Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe
and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God,
of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man,
of the Substance [Essence] of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and
perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the
Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his
Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ.
One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the
Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but
by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and
Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose
again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the
right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the
living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies;
And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall
go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire.
This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he
cannot be saved.
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