SPIRITUAL WARFARE 3.5

SECTION 3-5:

*** Satan Tempts Us To Change Focus ***

(Matthew 6:22-23)
Jesus basically refers to our focus.

(Luke 22:31)
Jesus forewarned the disciples (and especially Peter)
that they would be sifted by Satan.

(Luke 22:54-62)
Look at how Satan caused Peter to lose his focus.
    – When Jesus was arrested, Peter followed at a distance
      and managed his way into the courtyard.
      Note:
          He may have been concerned about how they were treating Jesus,
          or maybe he was trying to figure out how to help Him escape.
          At any rate, his focus seemed to be on Jesus,
          but that changed quickly.

    – Peter found himself in a hostile environment
      with a servant girl staring at him intently.
      Question:
      If you were Peter, how would you feel?
          – Nervous?
          – Scared?

    – The stage was set and Satan changed Peter’s focus.
          – To Peter’s surprise (and horror),
            the servant girl identified him in front of everyone.
            Note:
                Imagine the cold chill that must have run up his spine.

    – With Peter now focused on himself,
      he denied Jesus the first time.
      Note:
          Imagine how Peter felt now;
          not only scared, but feeling guilty as well.
          He may have been thinking,
              “I don’t think she believed me”.
              “I think they know”.
              “I better be careful”.
              “Should I try to leave”?

    – As Peter stewed in his own fears, Satan
      launched another attack; another man accused him.
      Note:
          Apparently the servant girl had caused others to become suspicious.

    – Peter denies Jesus again (no doubt his fear and guilt were increasing).

    – After allowing Peter to agonize for an hour,
      Satan attacked again as another man accused him.
      Note:
          (John 18:26) – It was a relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off.

    Note:
        We can see in this account just how clever Satan can be
        at changing our focus from God to ourselves.

Question:
What tactics did Satan use in each of these instances?
    (Genesis 3:6) – Pleasure; ego.
    (Job 34:5) – Self-righteousness.
    (Matthew 26:15) – Money.
    (Matthew 4:1-11) – Hunger; praise of others.
    (Acts 5:3) – Greed.
    (1 Timothy 5:13-15) – Gossip.

Some ways to focus on God:
    – Saturate our mind with scripture.
      In the scriptures we see how God thinks
      and get a better understanding
      of His perspective and focus.

    – Develop a daily time with God.
      This helps us build a personal relationship with Him.

    – Create an environment of godliness.
      Think about the messages that surround our lives (the music
      we listen to; the people we spend time with; the literature
      we read; the television programs and movies we watch; etc.).

    – Ask the right questions about our actions and activities:
          – Will it bring glory to God?
          – Will it advance His kingdom?
          – Will it help or hinder my becoming more like Christ?
          – What impact will it have on everyone involved?

Note:
    We can’t live in a bubble, but we do need
    to think about our actions and how they affect on others.