Alpha Session 10 - How Can I Resist Evil

How Can I Resist Evil?

1. Why should we believe the devil exists?

o Because the Bible speaks of him in the Old Testament and the New Testament. (Job 1; 1 Chronicles 21:1; Isaiah 14), (Ephesians 6:11–12; 1Peter 5:8–11)
o Because Christians have believed in his existence down the ages.
o Because it is clear from the horror and evil in our world that he is at work.

o BUT!!! It is just as dangerous to take too much of an interest in the devil as to doubt he even exists.

2. What does the devil have to do with me?

o The devil aims to destroy all humans

• The thief (the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they (humans) may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

o To blind our eyes so that we cannot see God. The devil doesn’t want us to believe in God.
o He tries to feed doubts into our minds.
o He tries to tempt us to do wrong.


3. Should I be worried?

o No! Jesus has won a complete victory over the devil.

• Submit yourselves, then, to God.


• Resist the devil, and he WILL flee from you.


• Come near to God and he will come near to you. (James 4:7-8a)


• I (Jesus) have given you (His disciples /Christians) authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy (the devil); nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:19)

o We can live in Jesus’ kingdom and not the devil’s kingdom.

Jesus' Kingdom	Devil's Kingdom
Forgiveness	Sin
Freedom	Slavery
Lift	Death
Salvation	Destruction

4. How do we defend ourselves?

i. The belt of truth-knowing Jesus’ truth to counter the devil’s lies. (Eph 6:14)

ii. The breastplate of righteousness- believing Jesus can protect us from guilt. (Eph 6:14)
iii. The boots of the gospel of peace- being ready to speak about Jesus (Eph 6:15)
iv. The shield of faith- being sure of God’s promises. (Eph 6:16)
v. The helmet of salvation- protecting our minds from doubts. (Eph 6:17)
vi. The sword of the Spirit- getting to know the Bible and attacking the devil with its truth. (Eph 6:17)


• Christians call all these, the armor of God.

• How do we attack?

• By praying- the devil trembles when we pray. (2 Corinthians 10:4).
• By action- we attack the devil by doing the things that Jesus told us to do. (Luke 7:22).

Conclusion:
The devil is real and so is his influence in the world, but he is no match for God. We have no cause to fear the devil because we are now in Jesus’ kingdom. There is no reason for great interest in the devil.

Why worry about a loser?