Common Areas In Which Satan Will Work Hard To Trip Up Christians (Part Ii)

In my previous message on this topic, I attempted to point

out some of the most common traps that satan lays for us.

A. We are relatively safe from obviously gross

temptations.

1. satan works in the areas in which we are the

most susceptible.

a. According to Scripture, many....if not

most....of these areas are temptations

which we, as Christians, hold in

common.

I Cor. 10:13 - 13No temptation has overtaken you except

such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will

not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but

with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that

you may be able to bear it.

Not only do Christians not recognize these general areas of

temptation, but when they do see the temptation, they

conclude one of two things.

A. They become ashamed and confused...feeling as

though they have sinned.....when in fact....they

have only been tempted in that area.

1. A temptation is not a sin!

James 1:2-4 - 2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall

into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith

produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work,

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

B. The second response is to hide their sin because

they think that this sin is unique to them.

1. There is a perverted sense of uniqueness that

I believe satan instills in our minds.

a. If he can get us to think that our sin is

unique and we hide it from others

because of this belief......he has us at

his mercy (which he has none)....we

won’t seek out prayer or help.

In my last message, I addressed three very common areas in

which satan attempts to spiritually kill us.

A. The fiery arrow of doubt.

B. The fiery arrow of a critical and

accusing spirit (This is, by the way,

the spirit of the devil).

C. The fiery arrow of misplaced priorities

and/or procrastination.

Today, we will expand this list of fiery arrows of the

devil...

very common areas, in which he attempts to bring us down.

I. satan will work very hard to cause us to feel guilt.

II John 8 - 8Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those

things we worked for, but that we may receive a full

reward.

A. he won’t let us have the faith that we need to

believe and trust that God can...and has forgiven

us.

1. he does this by bringing back to our minds,

the sins that we have placed under the blood

of Christ.

a. This area is related to doubt, but it is a

specific form of doubt.

b. A Christian need never feel guilt for the

sins that he/she has placed under the

blood of Christ.

Psalm 103:12 - 12 As far as the east is from the west, So

far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Is. 43:25 - 25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your

transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember

your sins.

**For those of us who must see it in the New Testament....

consider the following...............

Acts 3:19 - 19“Repent therefore and be converted, that

your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing

may come from the presence of the Lord.

I John 2:12 - 12 I write to you, little children,

Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

B. There is another area under the classification of

guilt which satan uses.

1. It comes as “the unforgivable sin”.

a. A person believes that he/she has been

soooooooo wicked that God could or

would NEVER forgive them.

2. The truth is......there is no sin too large...too

wicked.....too unspeakable....but that God can,

will, and very much WANTS TO forgive it.

I John 1:7-9 - 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the

light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood

of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say

that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is

not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to

forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all

unrighteousness.

a. The point that I make from this verse is

that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses

us from ALL sin.

1.) All still means all......there is no

sin that cannot be forgiven.

a.) Ah....you say....”What about

the ‘unpardonable sin’?”

** It is my firm belief that Christ was addressing those

wicked men who were in front of Him.....NOT THE

WHOLE HUMAN RACE!

1. But if you want to get technical.....If you personally

tell Jesus that the miracle which you saw Him

perform was done by the power of the devil....then