Ephesians 2.1-3

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature.

 

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The Triad of Temptation

The Flesh:  Disordered Desires

The Devil:  Deceptive Thoughts

The World:  Destructive Culture​

 

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Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭3, 5‬-‭6

The tempter came to him and said…

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 

 

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There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. - CS Lewis 

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GREEK: logismoi (λογισμοί) = thoughts, reasonings or calculations that are reasoned or formulated in the mind—particularly those that can lead to temptation or sin

 

 

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The Weapons of the Devil: ACCUSATION & DECEPTION

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Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭8‬-‭10 

And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

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John‬ ‭8‬:‭44‬ ‭ 

You are the offspring of your father, the devil, and you serve your father very well, passionately carrying out his desires. He’s been a murderer right from the start! He never stood with the truth, for he’s full of nothing but lies—lying is his native tongue. He is a master of deception and the father of lies!

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Defeat the Deception of the Devil :: God’s Word 

 

Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬-‭7

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 

 

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

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Defeat the Deception of the Devil :: God’s Will 

 

John‬ ‭14‬:‭30‬-‭31‬  

I won’t speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this dark world is coming. But he has no power over me, for he has nothing to use against me. I am doing exactly what the Father destined for me to accomplish, so that the world will discover how much I love my Father. Now come with me.

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Defeat the Deception of the Devil :: God’s Work

 

Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬-‭25‬  

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 

And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 

To God our Savior, 

Who alone is wise, 

Be glory and majesty, 

Dominion and power, 

Both now and forever. 

Amen.