1.28.18
"Designs For Success"
TEXT: 2 Cor. 2:11
TRUTHS:
1. Followers of Christ should not have the same definition of success as the unbelieving world. For believers, success can be defined as: God's eternal work taking place both in and through them.
2. Sin and failure can often be traced back to the thoughts that are present in our imaginations. After dwelling on those thoughts and allowing them to affect our emotions, the temptation to act on those thoughts in a sinful way will usually present itself. Believers need to examine their thought processes and use caution about what they let influence their imaginations.
3. Scripture is clear and truthful about the presence of an enemy--Satan--who tirelessly and relentlessly seeks to steer us away from Christian success and victory. He has designed plans of attack that are meant to ensnare us and lead us away from obedience to our Savior. The New Testament outlines his various plans of attack:
- Acts 5:3--Satan seeks to cause believers to behave deceptively. He tempts us to cover up the areas of our lives that we are ashamed about using lies and dishonesty. He will orchestrate opportunities that will tempt us to be deceptive.
- Luke 4:1--Satan will tempt us when we are weak. Believers will become spiritually weak without consistency in worship and private devotional time. To guard ourselves against the enemy, believers should be honest with themselves and identify their weaknesses and areas where Satan is likely to tempt them to sin.
- 1 Cor. 7:5--Satan will exploit our lack of self-control. Different people will struggle in different areas concerning self-control, but each individual believer should seek to be aware of where they struggle.
- 2 Thess. 2:9--The enemy will deceive by using false signs and wonders. Satan will tempt us to determine truth based on our experiences rather than the Word of God. It can be tough to discern the work of the enemy in this area because of a positive and emotionally charged experience. It is easy to believe that if something takes place or happens, it must be true and mean God is working. This is not the reality that the Bible presents to us.
- Matthew 11:25--Satan will work to keep us from forgiving others. He will seek to make us bitter, angry, negative, and resentful towards people. If we refuse to cancel and forgive others' debts towards us, and instead keep a record of them, we have fallen into the plan of our enemy. This will keep us from growing spiritually and from having our prayers answered.
4. The Christian life is a war that we can win. When we understand and are on guard against Satan's plans of attack, we can move forward with wisdom and victory over them.
TALK TO EACH OTHER:
1. How would you define success for a follower of Christ?
2. Can you think of any additional ways that Satan traps us and/or attacks us?
3. What things are likely to affect your imagination and thought processes in a negative way which, in turn, may lead to you becoming ensnared in one of Satan's planned attacks?
TALK TO GOD:
Pray as you feel led concerning the following area(s):
That you are aware of how the enemy attacks believers and for victory when those attacks come.
That the gospel would free us to have the right heart towards God and others.