AVOIDING SATAN’S SNARES
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because
your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour:”
Introduction:
Who better than Peter would know about the prowlings of Satan! Several
times Jesus warned Peter that Satan was after him, but he failed to heed the
warning. Too many Christians have “gone to sleep,” opening the way for Satan to
work.
I. Don’t Stray – (Huwag maligaw)
“Before I was afflicted I went
astray: but now have I kept thy word.” Ps. 119:67
A. Christians sometime neglect their prayer life, and they fail to study
God’s Word as they should. When they do this, they begin to stray.
B. Some lack the courage to say no to non-Christian friends. They yield
to the old life and become victims of Satan’s snares.
C. We must guard our devotional life diligently, drawing near to God
daily. We must take our stand boldly for God, staying away from Satan’s
territory.
James 4:7,8 “Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he
will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts,
ye double minded.”
II. Don’t Strut – (Huwag magmayabang sa iyong lakad)
“Pride goeth before destruction,
and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18
A. Some Christian lacks humility. They desire the praise and honor of
people, rather than the approval of God.
“For they loved the praise of men
more than the praise of God.” John 12:43
B. Jesus, our example was humble. He declared that he could do nothing
by Himself, but He depended on the Father. He pleased His Father.
C. We must be humble too. We avoid Satan’s snares by doing those things
that are pleasing to God and by giving Him first place in our lives.
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of
the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
III. Don’t Stoop – (Huwag ibaba ang sarili.)
“Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21
A. The morals of our world are at an all-time low. Violence, illicit
sex, alcohol and drug abuse, dishonesty and corruption in government bear this
out.
B. Millions have relaxed their morals standards because they are
spiritually slack. Christ will lift and restore those who repent and forsake
their sins.
C. Christians must not condone evil, “but overcome evil with good.”
Assisting the less fortunate and sharing Christ with the lost will help us
avoid Satan’s snares.
IV. Don’t Stop – (Huwag tumigil.)
“And ye shall be hated of all men
for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Mat. 10:22
A. Some have made a good start but have come to a bad stop in the
Christian life. Satan attracts, distracts, and attacks through his subtility.
B. No problem is too difficult, no trial is too severe, no burden is too
heavy for the Christian, because God’s help and grace are sufficient.
C. God is more than a match for Satan, and we are more than conquerors
through Him.
Conclusion:
Rom. 8:37-39 “Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able
to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
No comments:
Post a Comment