For Thought and Meditation - Thursday, January 20

[Pine Baron]

Good morning all. Too often, my hubris stands in the way of my faith. This mornings message describes the consequences. Have a safe and blessed day.

Strategies

January 20, 2022 - Dr. David Jeremiah

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11

Dictionaries define strategy as a plan of action intended to achieve a certain overall goal. And such a plan usually involves multiple progressive steps that build on the success of the previous step. Masters of the game of chess, for example, often take a long time before making a move because they are planning a strategy; they are thinking several moves ahead.

The Bible says that the devil uses strategies, or wiles (a malicious type of strategy), to accomplish his goal. And what is the devil’s goal? To move the child of God in the direction of doubting the goodness or truthfulness of Him. This has been evident from the beginning—the devil (“the serpent”) planted seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind about the truthfulness of God’s words. Eve succumbed to the temptation, followed by Adam, and disobeyed God’s instruction (Genesis 3:1-5). Like any good strategist, the devil is thinking several steps ahead of his targets.

Be aware of your circumstances, thoughts, and choices. Who is behind them? What are the potential outcomes? What is your strategy for victory? Stand firm against the wiles of the devil.

We cannot stand against the wiles of the devil by our wits.
Oswald Chambers

[USMC87]

Amen, it is only by the leading of the Spirit that we can stand!

[Markopolo]

And the full armor.

Ephesians 6:14-20 NKJV
[14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; [18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- [19] and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

[augercreek]

We cannot let our gaurd down for one minute or relax.