Wednesday - August 31, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
WEDNESDAY

 BIBLE READING:  James 4:1-12

 When facing daily struggles against Satan, a common misconception among many Christians is that we should ignore him.  Isn't this simply ridiculous?  Would a policeman ignore a crime in progress? What if the Allies had ignored Hitler? I think you get the point! It is not the goal of good to ignore evil, no more than it is for light to avoid darkness. By ignoring our enemy, we allow them an opportunity to sneak up behind us and hit us when we least expect it. 

 Nowhere in the Scriptures are we encouraged to avoid the devil. Instead, we are told to “resist him” (James 4.7). Ignoring and resisting are not the same! To "resist" means to withstand and to oppose. We must be on guard and aware of where our enemy is at all times. When he confronts us, “he will flee from you.” God never intended for us to be afraid or unaware of the devil and his plans. Instead, He cautions us to be aware and prepared. Peter writes, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. You adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, form in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9). 

 Application: We can’t afford to ignore the devil. We must be ready to fight at a moment’s notice. How have you fought this week?

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