SATAN CAN BE RELENTLESS WITH HIS DISCOURAGING ATTACKS, CAN’T HE?

SCRIPTURE:
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged 
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; 
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 
(Hebrews 4:12)

MEDITATION:
It can be very frustrating, can’t it?
You feel like you are getting closer to the Lord, and then it happens.
Satan seems to be always hanging around 
just looking for an opportunity to discourage and make us fall.

Some can’t take it anymore and throw up their hands and give up.
They just don’t want to face discouragement of that magnitude any more.
That is why people who we used to see in church every Sunday, 
suddenly disappear and never darken the doors of the church again.

Some give no reason for dropping out, 
and others look for someone or something to blame.
The Scriptures mention the “dropouts”
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you 
to keep you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5:7)

There is a glaring question for all of us;
“How do we overcome the devil in everyday life?” 
First, we need to recognize and remember that the devil is a defeated foe. 
The Son of God came to undo the work of the devil; 
to put him back where he belongs.
 
Although the crucifixion of Christ looked like a mighty victory for Satan, 
it was really a great triumph for God, 
because it was on the cross that Jesus took your sins and my sins.
God laid our sins on Christ, 
so that when our Lord and Savior bowed His head and said, 
“It is finished,” He was referring to the plan of redemption and salvation. 
God’s rescue plan for a lost and dying world culminated at the cross.

Secondly, we need to resist the devil.
If we resist him, Scripture says, he will flee from us.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, 
and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
You may ask, “How can I do that?”

Jesus overcame the devil not by argument but simply by quoting Scriptures. 
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these 
stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: Man shall not live 
on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 
(Matthew 4:3-4)
That is why it is so important to learn and memorize Scripture passages.
We need to be armed with God’s Word 
so we can turn back the assaults from Satan.

Lastly, we should submit ourselves to God.
That means that we sacrifice our will for His Will.
In other words, we commit our lives to Him and when we fully commit, 
our actions will reflect our commitment.
We will not be one that suddenly drops out of church.

Instead, we will have a burning passion 
to meet with other believers to praise and worship the Lord.
We will have a desire to serve Him in some capacity 
so that when we see Him face to face we can hear Him say, 
“Well done, good and faithful servant! 
You have run with perseverance the race marked out for you!”

ACTION:
Are you getting discouraged because Satan keeps tripping you up?
Follow the guidelines mentioned earlier and by all means, do not give up.
Connect with the Lord and connect with other believers.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your plan of salvation that was consummated 
at the cross. Thank You, Jesus my Lord and Savior for willingly going to the 
cross to defeat Satan, and cover my sins before my Heavenly Father. 
Strengthen and help me to willingly obey the expectations of believers 
outlined in God’s Word, so that I can run with perseverance the race 
marked out for me.”