Devices of the Devil
A. THE DEVIL SETS OBJECTIVES.
B. IN ACHIEVING THESE, HE USES SEVERAL DEVICES.
1. We need to know his devices( 2 Cor. 2:10-11 ).
2. A thorough knowledge of the Bible will protect us from his schemes.
C. WE NEED TO SEE HIS DEVICES IN THE LIGHT OF HIS OBJECTIVES.
A. DEVICE 1. HE SNATCHES AWAY THE WORD BEFORE IT CAN BECOME
EFFECTIVE( Rom. 1:16; Matt. 13:4, 19 ).
B. DEVICE 2. TRIES TO CONVINCE OBEDIENCE ISN'T NECESSARY( Matt. 7:21 ).
C. DEVICE 3. TELLS US TO PUT IT OFF( 1 Thess. 5:1-2; 2 Cor. 6:1-2 ).
D. DEVICE 4. TELLS US THERE IS NO NEED TO BE IN THE CHURCH.
1. Jesus is the savior of the church( Eph. 5:23 ).
2. Christ gave his blood for the church( Acts 20:28 ).
3. The saved make up the church ( Acts 2:47 ).
E. DEVICE 5. SAYS ONE CHURCH IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER( Eph. 4:4 ).
A. DEVICE 1. WORLDLY ASSOCIATIONS( 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:11 ).
B. DEVICE 2. LOVE OF THE WORLD( 1 John 2:15-17 ).
C. DEVICE 3. FALSE TEACHING( 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 4:3-4 ).
D. DEVICE 4. FACTIONS AND PETTY DIFFERENCES( 2:14-15, 23 ).
E. DEVICE 5. DISTRACTIONS FROM THE WORLD( 2 Tim. 2:4; Matt. 13:22 )
A. DEVICE 1. TO RETARD GROWTH AND CAUSE IGNORANCE OF GOD'S
WORD( Hos. 4:6; Heb. 5:12-14 ).
B. DEVICE 2. TO CEASE OUR WORK( Rev. 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:58 ).
C. DEVICE 3. TO DESTROY OUR INFLUENCE( Mat. 5:13-16 ).
D. DEVICE 4. CONFUSE OUR PRIORITIES.
1. What comes first?( Luke 9:56-62 ).
2. Matt. 16:26; 6:33; John 6:27.
A. ARE YOU IN THE CHURCH?
B. ARE YOU A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER?