JesusWalk Bible Study Forum: Q2. Your Enemy the Devil - JesusWalk Bible Study Forum

Q2. (5:8) What is it important to be aware of Satan's existence? What does this verse teach us about the devil? Why is this teaching important?

He is the enemy and we must be always alert and praying lest we fall into temptation and submit to it and sin, thus separating ourselves from God. The devil is alive and aggressive, seeking to devour. He is roaming and looking to attack. We must therefore be on the alert and in prayer and in God's word and will at all time. He attacks us in our weaknesses.

SATAN DOMINATES THE WHOLE WORLD , PATROLS THE EARTH, AND ENSLAVES THOSE WITHOUT CHRIST. HE WILL SPIRITUALLY DESTROY ANYONE WHO ABANDONS GOD'S PROTECTION. ALWAYS BE SURE TO HAVE THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD ON.. THE ONE THAT IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN THE ONE THAT IS IN THE WORLD

Pastor Ralph, on Apr 24 2004, 09:54 PM, said:

It is very important to know Satan's existence because he is the enemy and has many faces and therefore can be anyone or anything.

The verse teaches us that he roams around like a lion to see who he can devourer therefore we must be sober (alert) and vigilant, in other words be aware at all times.

Satan is our adversary he will try to turn our minds and hear against and away from God. He doesn't care about anyone but he wants to win the battle against God the Father.

Pastor Ralph, on Apr 24 2004, 07:54 PM, said:

Because to do otherwise would benefit satan, the devil, and the powers of darkness ... whatever and wherever they are. This verse teaches that satan is alive, hungry, and angry. Love ...Bro. Al

Q2. (5:8) What is it important to be aware of Satan's existence? What does this verse teach us about the devil? Why is this teaching important?

Many of our churches seldom teach anything about the devil. They have a misconception that teaching about the devil will give him undue importance. But it is a fact the the devil (satan) exists in a very real form. Though not accepted by many, we cannot ignore the fact the many of the world's evils are the product of the devil and his angels. This verse in partcular warns us to be aware (beware). As we find in some big homes, this sign on the gate "beware of dogs", this verse warns us of the lurking danger. Knowingly we will not enter a lions den or wander in a forest where lions reside. Signs or signboards are meant for our good. We should follow them for our safety. We should stay clear of the devil's turf and not allow him to enter into our turf. This teaching is very important as many nominal Christians take it easy in this matter. They just don't care enough about satan to know his power. Unless we know satan's capabilities, we cannot face him. Of course, Jesus is there beside us but the cunning chap that he is, he will kidnap us through our own foolishness. That's why every Christian ought to know everything there is to know about the devil and beware of him.

It is most important to be aware of satan's existence because he is looking for people to devour.

He is real and dangerous.

We must be able to recognise satanic activity in our llives and others. What comes out of darkness (ignorance, Jesus said "Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing"!) into light (knowledge and Truth, the presence of Jesus who is the light of the world) has no power, as darkness has no power over light. Recognition is the first step in dealing with problems or giving them over to God.

Q2. (5:8) What is it important to be aware of Satan's existence? What does this verse teach us about the devil? Why is this teaching important?

If we do not believe satan exists, why worry about what we do here on earth? If he does not exist, there is no hell when we die, so "eat, drink and be merry!"
But God's word tells us that the devil is a roaring lion, waiting to entice us into his grasp so he can torture and destroy each of us! We know by this, that we must guard against his wiles--putting on the whole armor or God so the Holy Spirit, himself, will aid us in standing against the devil. We cannot do so in our own power. We will fail if we trust in ourselves.
The importance of knowing this and practicing the presence of the Lord is of utmost, eternal importance! We neglect it at our everlasting peril!

Satan is real today. We better know that he existiance here on this earth. He is walking here and there keeping up more trouble that he can keep up. We must be able to recognition him. He has many faces. But satan is the enemy and we better know it. If you do not have Christ in your life you are lost. Satan know it better than any one else. We must be praying at all times. And trusting in Jesus.

Pastor Ralph, on Apr 24 2004, 07:54 PM, said:

I. It is important to be aware that the devil is constantly prowling about looking for a point of weakness through which to attack.
II. It teaches us 1. that the devil attempts to put us in fear through his "roaring" causing us to flee making us a target. 2. that he is like a lion that stalks his prey. The lion will select the weakest and slowest, the one who is alone or feeble. 3. that although we are children of our loving Father, we still can be taken down and devoured. 4. that in his bailiwick the devil is powerful and we are no match for his strength. 5. that the devil cannot/will not attack just anyone but watches for his opportunity. This suggests that we are safe under the protective covering of the blood of Christ. 6. that we must gird up the loins of our minds and quit ourselves like men. When the thoughts and temptations (roaring) come in like a flood, know that this is the battle, the evil day. Know also that we are promised the victory if we will stand firm, unmovable, unshaken, steadfast in faith.
III. This teaching is important because we should not be unaware of the tactics of the devil. Know your enemy. Know who we are in Christ. Know what we are capable of and what are our limitations. Know our boundaries. We must learn not only what our authority is in Christ but how to apply it to our circumatances. We must learn the power of the cross in our lives that the devil can find no place in us to attack. We must learn the power of the blood of Christ that keeps us clean, that covers and shields us. It teaches us the importance of living a holy life because we have a real foe who will take advantage of our weakness. It teaches us the importance of knowing the word of God so we might make an effectual stand.

Q2. (5:8) What is it important to be aware of Satan's existence?
Satan can appear before us in any form. He hates us so we must always be on the alert for him.

What does this verse teach us about the devil?
Never underestimate our enemy, and if we ever had an enemy in our lives, it’s Satan. He is patiently waiting for the right moment to move into our lives.

Why is this teaching important?
We must always be on the alert for the temptations that Satan is putting before us. The only way to avoid the temptation is to keep our eyes upon Jesus and keep our focus on Him.

THE IMPORTANCE IS IMPERATIVE
ONE MUST KNOW THE ENEMY
AND ALL HIS TRICKS AND DIFFERENT
PERSONALITIES, HIS NATURE AND ALL
ABOUT HIM. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT
WE HAVE TO OBSESS ON IT, BUT
CERTAINLY MEANS THAT WE MUST BE
ALWAYS BE PREPARE TO MEET HIS ENCOUNTERS
HE CAN COME AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT
THAT SEDUCESS THE EYE, THE MIND AND THE
BODY AND HERE GOES THE SOUL AND THE SPIRIT

AS GOD, SATAN WANTS ALL OF THE INDIVIDUAL
AND GOES TO ANY LENGHT TO TRICK US INTO
BELIEVING THAT WE ARE HAVING FUN.

I LIVED IN hell FOR LONG TIME AND I AM AWARE
OF SOME OF HIS TRICKERY AND DIVIOUS WAYS

GOD SAVE ME FROM THE FURNACE OF hell AND
GAVE ME ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE FOR HIM

PRAISE BE OUR LORD THAT IS IN HEAVEN AND REIGNS
FOR EVER AND EVER, HIS IS THE GLORY AND I AM WILLING
TO LIVE THIS LIFE AS HE COMANDS, PICK UP MY CROSS
AND QUITELY GO ABOUT HIS DAILY BUSINESS

OH GOD, TANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY
TO EXPRESS MYSELF AND GO FORWARD IN YOUR WAY.

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU.

Quote

[color="blue"]2a.) To be on our guard. In police work, we are taught to be in a constant condition of guard - condition yellow; condition - orange when a threat is perceived; condition - red when a threat or attack is imminent. As soldiers of the cross, we need to be in a constant condition of prayer and in constant study of the Word.[/color]
2b.) (5:8) What does this verse teach us about the devil?
[color="blue"]2b.) A lion is silent and uses the advantages of its environment to stalk and eventually attack its prey. Satan is referred to as the great deceiver. Deception and subtleness are his gifts. He plants a thought in your head. It festers and grows until you become desensitized to it and then you start saying, that isn't so bad, and then you act. The lion has captured its prey.[/color]
2c.) (5:8) Why is this teaching important?
[color="blue"]2c.) We need to be reminded, we need to be on guard. we can't get cocky. I think one of the most telling descriptions of how Satan works is the final verse of Jesus' forty days of temptation in the wilderness. It reads:[/color][color="purple"] "When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him (Jesus) until an opportune time." Luke 4:13 [/color]

Satan is the enemy, he is always on the lookout to ensnare people and he is dangerous. By donwplaying Satan and his influence, many Christians are left vulnerable to his attacks.

To be aware of Satan is important in the fact we should always know who or what are enemy is. In his existences he can take on many forms and does many evil things to intice christians to fall away from the Lord. He really doesn't have to do much for the non-believers for he already has them in his clutches, but he constantly is after the believers of Jesus. The scripture tells us to be aware of the devil as he roams the earth like a roaring lion seeking to devour the christian. Satan is a liar and thief and is seeking to kill and destroy the kingdom of God, which all christians know is not going to happen. It is very important to know the manner of Satan and what he can and cannot do. He will only be able to control any part of your life if you allow it. We must always remember that Jesus tell us he is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father, but through Him. It is good to know we have a shield of protection from the likes of Satan. We need to know he exist, but not give him credit for everything that happens to us.
Satan likes to think he has more control than he does, Think on good things and give praise to our Lord and Savior.

We need to be aware and alert to Satan existence because he does exit. He want us not to be sober minded therefore we would ignore his existence and tatics. But thanks be to God he is not all powerful.

This verse tells me he is out looking and he's on the prowl. He is out to kill, steal and destroy. We need to put on the whole armor of God. If we submit to God, resist him he WILL flee and that's the WORD. God said before his word fail heaven and earth will pass away.

[color="red"]We have to put up a fight, we are in a spiritual warfare and we have the power to be victorious![/color]

Why is it important to be aware of Satan's existence? It's always important to be aware of your enemy and if you don't know you have one you are vulnerable. That's why Jesus talks about Him. Even tough God is sovereign we are in a spiritual war and must know we have an enemy and who he is and how he attacks.

What does this verse teach us about the devil? He is like a lion prowling about seeking whom he may devour and cause the utmost hurt and pain in the process. As an animal is filled with fear as it runs from a lion so should we understand what his intentions are.

Why is this teaching important? So that we know and understand that we have an enemy, that we understand how he works, his intentions (to turn us from the truth and that we go to spend eternity in hell like he will) and so we are not caught off guard and slaughtered.

Lets pray for one another fervently and for our loved ones and those who are under satans dread sway.

God Bless,
Jen

Satan is not an abstract idea. Our Lord spoke of the reality of of the adversary. He is the anthesis of the Good News brought to us by Christ Jesus. He actively attempts to strike at us in all of our weakest spots. He makes us doubt. He shakes our faith. He causes us to be bound by the chains of worldly living, aworld in whitch there is no room for God. His mission is to separate us from the communion with God we so desperatley require. Satan wishes to use us to strike out at the Father. We are his evil agenda.
The importance of knowing that Satan is real is to make us keenly aware of him and his desire to slip through even the smallest cracks in our armor. He wants to catch us off guard and put and end to our worship of God.

If we are unaware, or don't believe in satan, we give him free reign in our llives with all his lies and seductions. Ignorance is not bliss, it's our downfall, because Jesus prayed, from the cross, for forgiveness of our ignorance. Knowing God, life, truth, puts us in a much better position to ascertain satan's attacks and defeat him.

Like a roaring lion, satan believes in his own power and looks for weaknesses which are his opportunities to destroy. He is the adversary, prowling, cat-like, and pouncing on weakness (eg trauma, doubt, unbelief) to install his lies, and gain his victim (slave).

If I am playing hockey (football, tennis) I do a lot better if I know (perceive, ) the power and weakness of the opposition. Therefore I study their game and play my strengths to their weakness. Likewise with satan. He has only the power of the lie (father of lies such as "I can't" "I'm unlovable", "it's only a little sin, it doesn't matter", "Why is God doing this to you?") to cause us to fear, and to bind us into his way of thinking. But Jesus is the Light of the world, and also the Truth. Darkness has no power over light, and the lie has no power over the truth. Once we bring the light of Jesus to shine on the lie, and give us the truth in our heart of hearts, we are winners! Our game plays cannot be defeated! We need to be very experienced in this. He certainly is the Way! And He is the best coach for Life!

Satan is our enemy and accuses us before God. He is often referred to as "appearing as an angel of light".
In other words,the devil will appear to us as something he is not in order to deceive us.

Satan is opposed to God and all He stands for. Jesus met Satan in direct spiritual conflict in the desert. Satan is powerful but he is not omnipotent. He was dealt a death blow at the cross but is still a dangerous foe. Satan hates all of mankind,even those who worship him.His goal is to drag as many people to hell with him as possible.

It is important that we don't underestimate the devil. Many churches minimize Satan's power,saying he is no longer a threat,which is a dangerous thing to do.
Peter describes him as " a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."