The word  “devil” means  “slanderer.” Here he is called our  “adversary,” not a friend, but an opponent. He stalks us as a  “roaring lion,” a fierce beast whose hunger is never satisfied. He  “walks about,” active in his pursuit;  “seeking” us, some he already has.  “Whom he may devour,” or swallow. By being in mental control, and active we can resist him. What are his most famous tricks?

I. TO KEEP YOU OUT OF THE CHURCH.
    A. He knows there is just one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4)
        1. So who is saying,  “One is just as good as another?”
        2. Or that  “God is pleased with division?”
    B. He knows it is the blood washed body of Christ (Acts 20:28).
        1. That the blood of Christ washes away sin (Revelation 1:5; 1 John 1:7).
        2. And the connection between the blood and baptism (Acts 22:16).
    C. He knows that the saved are in the church (Acts 2:47).
        1. That the same thing that saves a person puts him in the body (Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:3-4).
        2. If he keeps you out of the church, then he keeps you out of Christ, and therefore, with the lost and the doomed (Ephesians 2:12).
    D. He knows that in the church God is glorified (Ephesians 3:21).
        1. That this cannot be done in human organizations or fraternal orders.
        2. Now, who is it that is saying,  “Stay at home, that is enough?”
    E. He knows that by the church the gospel of Christ is preached (Ephesians 3:10).
        1. If you are kept apart from it, then you cannot help (Mark 16:15).
        2. He doesn’t care what is preached as long as it is not the gospel!

II. TO GET YOU BACK INTO THE WORLD.
    A. He is often successful in this undertaking
        1. The case of Demas (2 Timothy 4:10).
        2. The love of the world will do it every time (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15).
    B. Why does Satan want you back into the world?
        1. He will have you in a worse condition (2 Peter 2:20-22).
        2. Soon, repentance will be impossible (Hebrews 6:4).
        3. Then, you will face damnation with him (Hebrews 10:26-29; Matthew 25:41).
    C. How does he get us back into the world?
        1. He does all he can to weaken our faith (job, home, social life).
        2. Gives us association with evil companions who will corrupt us.
        3. Tempts us with worldly enterprise; making money and fun for our god.
        4. He tells us,  “You can’t fall from grace!” (see: Genesis 3:4).

III. TO RENDER YOU WORTHLESS TO THE CHURCH.
    A. By abiding in the vine, but not bearing fruit (John 15:2; James 2:24).
    B. Convincing you that the assembly is not important (Hebrews 10:25).
    C. Having you believe you don’t need to study your Bible (2 Timothy 2:15).
    D. Having you lead a prayerless life; thus to be guilt ridden (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
    E. Telling you not to eat the Lord’s supper. (No view of the cross, yourself, or your hope being weekly kept in mind (1 Corinthians 11:26-30).
    F. Gives you a covetous heart to keep you from giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
    G. Make a watchdog out of you because he delights in members who criticize the church as if they were not a member (Matthew 7:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:20-27).
     There is a great election. God has voted for your soul to be saved. The devil has voted for your soul to be lost. Which way will you vote even today?—P.O. Box 2597, Sylacauga, AL 35150