Friday, May 27, 2022.

Topic: The Mind; The Battlefield (Schemes Of The Devil).

Scripture References: Genesis 3:1-6; Luke 4:1-12 & 1st Peter 5:8-9.

Exposition: Sin originated from Satan and is masterminded by him, who by deception, caused Adam and Eve to doubt God’s truth, and thereby willingly sin against Him. The fall of man began with a deception from the devil when he asked the woman; “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”  The devil always presents to us God’s word in a twisted form, God had commanded man “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” but we see the twisted version above when the devil asked.

Our minds control how we feel, perceive things and even our decisions are made there. The devil being the craftiest creature God made identified this from the beginning and unfortunately has not changed the method he uses in helping man go against God’s word.  We ought to be aware of his schemes so as not to fall prey as Adam and Eve did.

Before a fall from God’s word comes, one must have been deceived by the devil in the mind and manifested through the use of our senses; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. We see this scheme manifest evidently in Genesis 3:1 to 6 and Luke 4:1 to 12. The word of God teaches us what to do in 1st Peter 5:8 to 9a; “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.” We also see that on three accounts Jesus overcame the devil’s deception with the word of God.  

This teaches us to have the word of God in us richly; I believe if man had paid attention to God’s commands, they would have overcome the deception. Having His word in us does not come automatically but only by the constant study of the scriptures and our obedience.

Prayer Guide: Grant me the grace to study your word to resist the

devil when he is at his tricks. Amen.

Memory Verse For This Week: Psalms 91:1-2 – “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”