Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Last Thing Satan Wants

THE LAST THING SATAN WANTS

#2 of 7 in the SUCCESS-SERVICE-REWARDS series
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Verse 1: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

At this stage of our sanctification (sank-tif-i-KA-shon means to shape in Christ’s image), God’s indwelling Spirit requires our partnership. Christ-likeness transformation zooms when believers participate willingly instead of resisting spiritual growth. The last thing Satan wants is for God’s kids to join the Holy Spirit’s team. Satan knows that he can’t win those people’s souls.

BUT he can play around the edges of believers’ lives and hearts. Satan tempts people 24/7 to join in the world’s kaleidoscope of sin fun. Believers’ strength to resist is getting worn down. Some Christians dare to play with Satan on the edge (just one time won’t hurt), and test gray areas of sin. Shrugging their shoulders, “Nobody’s perfect,” is their defense. How can weak Christians overcome such obstacles?

Ten-year olds Jeremy and Brad visited the snack bar at the town pool. “Hey guys, lookie here” their school classmate, Adair, urged.

“What?” Jeremy wondered.

Adair showed them a flask under his towel. “We’re just nipping some moonshine. Drinking makes swimming way more fun!”

“No thanks, Adair.” Jeremy said, waving his hand in front of his wrinkled-up nose. “We’re having fun just as we are.”

After embracing Christ as Savior and Lord, the next instant finds believers in spiritual warfare. Satan is prince of this earth (John 16:11), and it’s on his playground where we’re in constant battle. His job is to sidetrack, hinder, and discourage Christians. But God gifts His indwelling Holy Spirit to believers to resist sin with power and strength.

The last thing Satan wants is to challenge people who’re on fire for the Lord!

Unfortunately, people become lazy and stop battling evil every minute of every day. The word abdicate (AB-di-kate means to step down, or give up) describes their spiritual battle. Satan’s warfare has worn them completely down. It’s too hard. Holy living is something they mock as “narrow-minded” thinking. They look and act exactly like everyone in the world. There’s no difference. Their spiritual growth has stopped far short of Christ-likeness.

Take Home Nugget

What’s present in your life that doesn’t belong? It’s better, and less painful to rip it out right now. Before long that thread will grow into a rope, then turn into a cable. The cable transforms into a chain, a chain that enslaves. That chain soon traps people into a prison that began as a “one-time” taste of innocent fun.

It’s never too late to partner up on the Holy Spirit’s team again, resuming spiritual growth sanctification.

Satan has no use for God’s saints who’re useful for His kingdom!

J.D. Griffith


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