Introduction : Jesus spent two-thirds of His ministry driving out demons and healing people. Before Jesus ascended into heaven after the resurrection, one of His last commands was, "In my name they will drive out demons." Jesus considered the interruption of the devil and demons more critical than we thought and commanded us to resist and drive them out, because the devil and his demons come only to interrupt, steal, kill, and destroy our life and faith.
1. The times that the devil tempts us. When we receive grace from God, the devil will surely come and try to take it away from us. 1) Adam and the Garden of Eden (Ge 3:1). 2) Jesus and the desert (Mk 1:12,13). 3) After receiving grace (Mt 12:43-45). (1) After experiencing the second birth (Heb 6:4-6; Mt 10:33; Lk 8:13). (2) After receiving the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29). (3) After receiving healing (Jn 5:14). (4) After experiencing a miracle (Jn 6:15; Ac 8:23; 2 Ki 5:20-27; Mt 24:24).
2. The methods that the devil uses to tempt us. 1) The devil makes us believe and follow him through avarice and greed. (1) The test of Adam (Ge 3:4,5). (2) The test of Jesus (Mt 4:3,6,8-9). 2) Through accusation. (1) Job 1:8-11. (2) Job 2:2-6. (3) Revelation 12:10,11. 3) Through physical disease. (1) Job 2:7. (2) Acts 10:38. 4) Through trouble in life. ¡Ø The trouble of Job. (1) The death of children (Job 1:18,19). (2) The loss of his animals - sheep, camels (Job 1:3, 14-17). 5) Persecution (Job 2:8-9). (1) Persecution in the family (Mic 7:6). (2) Persecution in the workplace (1 Pe 2:19; Ro 12:14). (3) Persecution in the nation (Lk 11:49).
3. Resist the devil. 1) Know the truth (Jn 16:11; 12:31; Col 2:15; Rev 12:11; Lk 10:18,19). 2) Submit yourselves, then to, God - Repent and break down the wall between God and us (Jas 4:7; 1 Jn 1:9; Ac 26:20). 3) Stand firm on the Word - Do not be dazzled by futile senses or falsehood (2 Co 4:18; 11:14; Heb 4:12; Eph 6:17). 4) Resist the devil by depending on the name of Jesus and the power of the blood (Rev 12:11; Jn 16:23; Mk 16:17; 1 Pe 5:8,9). 5) Do not despair; be patient - the devil cannot cope with those who will be patient to the end (Jas 5:11; Heb 10:36-38; 1 Jn 3:8; 5:18; Rev 20:10).
Conclusion : The devil uses demons as his army, to spiritually, mentally, morally, and physically oppress, press down, and control us, and eventually make us slaves to sin, suffering, and unhappiness (Eph 6:10-13).
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