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Scripture Reading:  Ephesians 6:10-13

The Devil's Desires

Intro.

1.  We wrestle against the devil & the forces of evil, Eph. 6:12.

   -Wrestling:  a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other, and which is decided when the victor is able to hold his opponent down with his hand upon his neck.

2.  The devil is the father of lies, Jno. 8:44.

  a.  The desires of the devil find place & practice in the hearts & lives of people; these desires destroy lives & souls (cf. Judas, Jno. 13:2, 27).

   b. He gains his advantage when we are ignorant of his devices, 2 Cor. 2:11 (like a wrestler, anticipate his next move…counter it & triumph).

3.  The desires of the devil…

I.  DEVIL DESIRES LIES WHERE THERE SHOULD BE TRUTH, Jno. 8:44.

  A.  The truth of God’s word, Jno. 8:45-47 (8:37-38, 31-32).

  B.  The truth of honest speech, Eph. 4:25.

-Gird your loins with truth- (Eph. 6:14)

II.  DEVIL DESIRES DARKNESS WHERE THERE SHOULD BE LIGHT, 2 Cor. 4:3-4.

  A.  Light has come into the world, & it exposes evil deeds, Jno. 3:19-21.

      -Gospel light of knowledge of God’s glory in Christ, 2 Cor. 4:6.

  B.  Christians are children of light, Eph. 5:8.  Walk as children of light –

-Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace- (Eph. 6:15)

III. DEVIL DESIRES A PLACE TO STAND WHERE NONE SHOULD BE GIVEN, Eph. 4:27 (Don’t give Satan an opportunity–foothold, occasion to act)

  A.  Give no place for sin, Eph. 4:25-26 (2 Cor. 2:11).

      -Satan wants to sift you like wheat!  Lk. 22:31-34

  B.  Stand in the faith, 1 Cor. 16:13; Col. 2:6-7 (Rom. 1:17, faith to faith).

-Shield of faith- (Eph. 6:16)

IV. DEVIL DESIRES CONFUSION WHERE THERE SHOULD BE ORDER, 1 Cor. 14:33.  (Instability, a state of disorder, disturbance)

  A.  Wisdom from above reflects good conduct in meekness, Jas. 3:13.

  B.  Self-seeking:  Bitter envy, boasting, lying…confusion of evil, Jas. 3:14-16.

-Breastplate of righteousness- (Eph. 6:14) – Integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling & acting.

V.  DEVIL DESIRES PEACE WHERE THERE SHOULD BE WAR, Jer. 6:14.

  A.  War against the world, sin & error, 2 Cor. 10:3-5.

  B.  The separating effect of truth & godly living, Matt. 10:34 (Lk.12:51).

-Whole armor of God, to stand- (Eph. 6:13)

VI. DEVIL DESIRES WAR WHERE THERE SHOULD BE PEACE, Jas. 4:1.

  A.  Conflict & strife among brethren, Gen. 13:8; Rom. 12:16-18, 19-21.

-Praying always…watchful…all perseverance- (Eph. 6:18)

VII. DEVIL DESIRES SENSELESSNESS TO ABOUND WHERE MEN SHOULD COME TO THEIR SENSES, 2 Tim. 2:24-26.

  A.  The correction of truth calms the spirit & restores sober thinking with circumspective living, Eph. 5:15.

-Helmet of salvation- (Eph. 6:17)

VIII. DEVIL DESIRES TOLERANCE TOWARD SIN WHERE THERE SHOULD BE RESISTANCE, Jas. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9.

  A.  Humility cures worldliness, Jas. 4:6-10.

  B.  Devil is resisted “in the faith,” not in the opinions of men, Jude 3; Gal. 2:4-5.

-Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might- (Eph. 6:10)

Conclusion

1.  Christians are in a battle against the devil.  Our enemy is cunning, crafty, deceptive & powerful (Eph. 6:11-12; 2:2). 

2.  Devil desires our surrender where Christians should be taking a stand, Eph. 6:11, 13. 

-Sword of the Spirit- (Eph. 6:17)

3.  Victory is assured in Jesus (1 Jno. 3:8; Rev. 12:9-11).