Hide And Seek
II Timothy 2: 1-26
(I Timothy 3:7). "Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil
Psalm 38:12 “Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all the day long.”
Psalm 141:9 “Keep me out of the traps they have set for me, out of the snares of those who do evil. ‘’
Eph 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
We are fighting a battle. It is not with flesh and blood, not with people, but it is a war. We fight:
Eph 6:11 says "Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
II Cor 2:11 says, "lest satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."
Satan has placed traps out for the saints of God to get caught in. Pit falls to fall into.
1. Adam and Eve….Genesis…The tree of life
2 David… Bathsheba…..Lust and desire led to lying and deception
3. Samson…Deliah….Led to a breaking of his vows
4. Israel… Selfshness
5. Achan… Money wealth
God has told us in his word ways for us to dodge the devices the enemy uses to try and trap us let us look at three things that will help us to avoid Satan’s traps.
I. Don’t Stray (Coast, Drift or Float)
Hebrews 2:1 MESSAGE It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off.
From the Word
“Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept your Word.”
Psalm 119:67“Thy Word have I hide in my heart that I may not sin against God”
Peter 1:13 says, "gird up the loins of your mind." This means gather up the loose ends of your mind and get it in good shape. We must keep watch over our minds because for the most part that is where the battle is raging.
From His Will
Hebrews 10:36 (NLT) Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will.
Some Christians lack the courage to say NO to their non-Christian friends.
Colossians 2:8 “Don’t let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that comes from human thinking and from evil powers of this world, and not from Christ.”
II. Don’t Stoop (Compromise or Duck)
2 Corinthians 6:17 So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good," says God. "Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself.
From Your Priorities
To God
To your family
To your church
To your friends
To your career
Seek ye first the kingdom…and all these things will be added unto you.
We avoid Satan’s snares by doing those things that are pleasing to God and by giving him first place in our lives.
From Your Promises
From Your Principles
The morals of our world are at an all time low. Violence, illicit sex, alcohol, drug abuse, dishonesty, rioting and corruption in government; to name a few.
We have become weighted down with the things of the world. These things are causing us to stoop to Satan’s level. We are becoming spiritually slack.
Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
IV. Don’t Stop! (Cease, Discontinue or Finish)
Matthew 10:22 “But he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Some have made a good start but have come to a quick and bad stop in their Christian life.
Working for God…John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Witnessing about God “…you shall be my witnesses…”
Walking with God…. Satan wants us to stop. He attracts, distracts and attacks us in his deceitful ways.
Jeremiah 10:23, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself, it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps."
We are not granted the option of directing our own ways in religion. God is the One who we look to for guidance and direction in our lives.
Fighting the good fight of faith..I Timothy6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2 Corinthians 9:13… Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
Worshipping God…The purpose of our worship is to glorify, honor, praise, exalt, and please God. Our worship must show our adoration and loyalty to God for His grace in providing us with the way to escape the bondage of sin.
Our very best in worship is due God and is prescribed by Him in the Bible. The worship God has prescribed is the only way we can worship him .
God seeks true worshippers, and He identifies them as those who "worship Him in spirit and in truth".
Worshipping God in spirit means that it must be done from the heart.
Out of the abundance of the heart men speaks.
Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.
Worshipping God in truth means that it must be done according as God has specified in the Bible.
Worshipping God in spirit and in truth is a serious matter which must not be taken lightly.
John 4:23-24, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."
Don’t stop! Don’t Quit. Don’t give in or give out. Don’t throw in the towel. Don’t lie down.
Message…. Romans 8:37-39
No problem is too difficult,
No trial is too severe,
No burden is to heavy to make you want to stop serving God
Because God’s help and grace is sufficient. God is more than a match for Satan and we are more than conquerors through Him.
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