Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning and evening, Feb. 13, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
HOW TO RESIST THE DEVIL
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-9
Text: 1 Peter 5:9
1 Peter 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Introduction: My message today is, “How to Resist the Devil.”
1. The devil is real. He counterfeits the things of God. He often looks like an angel, a Christian, or a minister when he works in this world.
2. The devil is ruining people’s lives.
He is damning sinners.
He is defeating saints
3. The devil must be resisted.
You don’t have to fight to go to heaven. You don’t have to work to go to heaven. You go to heaven through simple faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His redemptive work. However, in order to be a SUCCESSFUL Christian, you are going to have to resist the devil.
TO SUCCESSFULLY RESIST THE DEVIL, YOU SHOULD:
I. RECOGNIZE HIS BATTLE PLANS
2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
A. Doubt
B. Discouragement
C. Distraction
D. Deceit
E. Discord
F. Despair
G. Delay
TO SUCCESSFULLY RESIST THE DEVIL, YOU SHOULD:
II. RENOUNCE HIS BARGAINS
Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
A. Don’t claim the world
B. Don’t covet the world
C. Don’t conform to the world
TO SUCCESSFULLY RESIST THE DEVIL, YOU SHOULD:
III. REJECT HIS BELIEFS
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
A. Examine them – prove all things
B. Expel them from your life
C. Expose them
TO SUCCESSFULLY RESIST THE DEVIL, YOU SHOULD:
IV. RELY UPON THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
A. Rely upon its saving power
- Col. 1:14; Rev. 1:5
B. Rely upon its sanctifying power
- 1 Jn. 1:7
C. Rely upon its speaking power
- Gen. 4:10
TO SUCCESSFULLY RESIST THE DEVIL, YOU SHOULD:
V. REMAIN BUSY IN GOD’S WORK
1 Timothy 5:13-15 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
A. Laziness is disobedience
B. Laziness is deceitful
- A person can think he is industrious, but still be lazy.
- Some people are lazy about almost ANY kind of work.
- However, laziness is really an unwillingness to do the work God wants you to do.
C. Laziness is dangerous
- It sets you up for the attack.
- David tarried at home when he should have been on the battlefield. That’s when he sinned with Bathsheba.
TO SUCCESSFULLY RESIST THE DEVIL, YOU SHOULD:
VI. RECITE THE BOOK
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
A. It pierces the devil’s hide
- It is a spiritual weapon (Eph. 6:17) for a spiritual foe (Eph. 2:2).
B. It pronounces the devil’s doom
C. It prevents the devil’s advances
- It is your only offensive weapon in the soldier’s armor of Eph. 6:10-17.
TO SUCCESSFULLY RESIST THE DEVIL, YOU SHOULD:
VII. REQUEST BACK-UP FROM HEAVEN
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
A. God’s help is your secret weapon
B. God’s help is standing by
C. God’s help is sufficient and successful