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2nd Retreat: The Great Makeover Session 5

2 November 2005

YAG RETREAT II
Session #5
Wednesday, 2 November 2005
First Morning Session
Theme: The Great Makeover
CONQUERING THE EVIL ONE
Key Texts- For Reference and Meditation

A. WORK OF DECEPTION

1. Genesis 3
2. 1 Timothy 2

B. THE WORK AGAINST THE GOSPEL

1. Snatching away the seed of the Gospel          Matthew 13
2. Sowing of Tares          Matthew 13

C. PROMOTION OF DOCTRINAL ERRORS

1. Pastoral Epistles          1 and 2 Timothy
2. General Epistles          1 John, 2 Peter, Jude

D. SPIRITUAL BATTLES

1. Ephesians 6
2. Revelation 12, 13

INTRODUCTION

Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time

Revelation 12:12

1. This spiritual war is a long drawn one
2. All-round preparation is non-negotiable
One must be mentally, spiritually, emotionally prepared for anything that the evil one hurls
3. It is a war where one must put on the armour of God at all times: –

a) Girdle of truth

b) Breastplate of righteousness

c) Feet shod with the Gospel of peace

d) Shield of Faith

e) Helmet of salvation

f) Sword of the Spirit

4. Note the slight difference in emphasis and imagery in          1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

a) Breastplate of faith

b) Love

c) Helmet- Hope of salvation

5. What are these pieces of armour?

a) They form the integral bulk of our Christian faith

b) They become our panoply only when they have been crafted strongly and well

6. War Casualties

a) Many fall in battle, seriously wounded

b) Some dare not engage the enemy

c) Fear takes a terrible toll

d) Weakness is no help whatsoever

7. Change cannot take place effectively till we know how to see through the wiles of the devil and till we conquer him.

A. WORKS OF THE DEVIL OBSERVED

…Deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons

1 Timothy 4:1

1. Causes people to go astray

From which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk

1 Timothy 1:6

In latter times some will depart from the faith…

1 Timothy 4:1

For some have already turned aside after Satan

1 Timothy 5:15

2. Causes people to make shipwreck of their faith
Concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck

1 Timothy 1:19

3. Causes some to be ensnared

…The snare of the devil

1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:26

4. Causes some to have their consciences seared

Having their own conscience seared

1 Timothy 4:2

5. Causes some to do his bidding

Having been taken captive by him to do his will

2 Timothy 2:26

B. SUCCESSFUL BATTLE WITH THE DEVIL

1. Strength needed

Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might

Ephesians 6:10

2. Panoply of God Provided –          Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8
Vital Challenges: –

a) What are these pieces of the armour?

b) How do we put them on?

c) How do we use them?

3. Learning how to Resist the devil first and foremost

Resist the devil and he will flee from you

James 4:7

Resist him, steadfast in the faith…

1 Peter 5:9

a) Requires knowledge of the Scriptures

b) Rejection of the temptations of the devil

c) Reference to God consistently Cf. Matthew 4 (Temptations of Jesus)

C. OVERCOMING OF THE DEVIL

1. The Supreme Strength of the Lord

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil

1 John 3:8

2. Destroying the power of fear and of the devil

Through (His) death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil

Hebrews 2:14

a) There is victory over the Devil

b) This is something we can experience

c) This is something we must take comfort in

3. Example of how victory may be obtained

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Revelation 12:11

a) Through the Lord Jesus

b) Through the life-testimony we maintain

c) Through fearlessness

RETREAT CHALLENGES

1. Are you afraid of the difficult battle against the devil?
2. How would you overcome your fear of the evil one?
3. What are you willing to do to win this conflict with the devil?