The Devil's Tools

All too often today I see where people have lost their faith. They either don’t believe at all, have never heard nor understood the word of God or something has happened in their lives to take them away His Word.

As we have talked about many times here at our Church, we know what this and, deep inside us all, we know how to prevent this from happening to us, but we sometimes forget.

I’d like to talk a little more this morning about the things of this world that take away from us… draw us from God and make us question our own faith.

It is so important to any believer that we not let the Devil’s tools eat away at us and cause us to go in a direction, down a path, that is far from God.

Deception, Distraction & Lies

How many distractions are there in this world? How many times have you had your sights on God but something in this world, something you may not have expected, has taken your focus off the things you have

learned and drew you away from God?

There is so much deception in the world today. How many times have you seen an ad on TV, a post on Facebook or maybe a simple radio announcement that has drawn you in?

I’m sure you’ve heard it all…

• Invest in our product and become rich!

• Use our magic moisturizing cream and take years off your appearance!

• Take these vitamin supplements and become the man or woman you were thirty years ago!

Wow! If all of these deceptions were actually true, I suspect I’d have a lot more merchandise at my home that I could probably afford.

Are any of these really true? I think probably not but, wanting to be rich; retain our youth; and ignoring the inevitability of what growing older might do to us… we may believe these deceptions and become distracted from our relationship with God.

God warned us about these distractions back in the Old Testament…

Jeremiah 9:6 – “‘You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,’ declares the LORD.”

Yes, we live in a world full of deception, distractions and out-and-out lies! We hear all of these “miracle cures” for what ails us and the “fool-proof” plans to make us richer yet we still try.

Deceit, distraction and lies are tools of the Devil. From the very beginning of the scripture we hear of the Devil’s lies.

In Genesis 3, where the serpent was tempting Eve to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden, where she knew she mustn’t, he said to her…

Genesis 3:4-5 - “‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”

Again, an obvious tool of the Devil!

Ultimately, what do these lies and deceptions nearly always bring us to… disappointment! And what do we do when they all fail… blame God?

Our Bible tells us to be content…

Philippians 4:11-13 – “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

So, what is this verse saying to us? It’s simple really, learn to be content with whatever circumstances. Understand that all we’ve been through has only made us stronger.

Proverbs 4:25 – “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”

Yep, that’s the easiest solution for us… Stay focused on God. Understand that, despite how you feel about yourself, God Loves you and is perfectly fine with you the way you are!

Stress

Okay, now here’s a big one! How many here today are stressed-out? How many of you have problems at work; problems at home; financial difficulties; or simply just disappointed with the way your life is going?

Once again, another tool of the Devil! He wants you to be stressed out! He can’t stand you… he hates you and wants you to blame all of your stress, as well as all of your problems, on God.

Before we let that happen to us, stay focused and again remember what Christ has taught us…

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”