James 1:13-16 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (16) Do not err, my beloved brethren.
In the sports world, to best prepare for competition, the successful participant takes time to analyze the opponent’s weaknesses and works on a strategy to exploit their shortcomings. Football teams spends countless hours reviewing tape of opponents previous games. Fighters carefully study their opponent’s movements, timing, rhythm, physical strength and how the fighter lost previous fights. All of this information goes to develop a winning strategy.
Make no mistake about it....Satan is our competition. And he is a brilliant strategist!
Ephesians 6:11 ...that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Satan will literally do anything to get us to give in to his temptations. But so often, the best approach is the most simple approach....and that is the basis of our text today. Like a great sports strategist knows his opponent, Satan knows us! He knows our weaknesses and he knows what will tempt us. James tells us that we can be drawn away from God BY OUR OWN LUSTS. Those silly, generally insignificant enticements, can cause us to give into sin.
Satan is our competition...but it is NO game!
1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
This is not game to Satan. To him it is life and death! He is looking to devour us...to destroy us...to KILL us. Sin and temptation is his weaponry! James tells us that if we continually give in to those weakness, when it is finished brings forth our death.
Since Satan is so determined and focused, we too should equally take this competition just as serious as he does. But to be a winner in sports...especially on a consistent basis, we must not only study film on opponents, we must also continually examine film of our own performance. We MUST come to understand and accept our weaknesses that our opponent WILL exploit. Once we understand our vulnerabilities, be must work diligently to build up, strengthen and protect against our weakness. Like an accomplished athlete, that will take time and effort! Notice how Jesus did it when he was faced with Satan.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
The key to winning against Satan comes with an engrained knowledge of God’s Word...thus the time and effort!
Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
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