Ways Satan Takes Advantage Of The Church
When Christians fail to do as God has directed, we become distracted and then we become vulnerable to Satan’s many schemes (Ephesians 6:11). Our adversary, the devil, realizes that a direct attack on the church usually fails; therefore he works to “sidetrack” the body of Christ. Following are six ways the church becomes vulnerable to Satan’s plan of destruction. Please take each one personal and consider them. If you know of someone who needs to read this, please share it with them.
He Gets Advantage When Members Become Polluted With The World… One does not have to have this world’s goods to become worldly. Worldliness isn’t always found in things even though it does include such. (Titus 2:12; 1 John 3:17; 1 John 5:19).
He Gets Advantage When Members Are Busier With Other Things Than The Lord’s Church… You can’t get any clearer than what Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 13. Now, let’s make sure we are following his inspired instructions (2Timothy 3:14).
He Gets Advantage When We Attract People By Using “Glitter” Rather Than The Pure Gospel… Simply study John 12:43 and 1 Thessalonians 2:2-6.
He Gets Advantage When A “Thus Saith The Lord” Is Considered Radical And Narrow Minded… Paul warned Timothy of such an attitude in 2 Timothy 4:3.
He Gets Advantage When Members Fuss, Fight And Splinter The Body Of Christ… Study carefully the following set of scriptures — Proverbs 6:16-19; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:19-26.
He Gets Advantage When Members No Longer Have The Spirit And Attitude Of Christ… A simple study of Philippians 2:1-5 is needful for all in the church.
If we would honestly consider the things noted above, we would not only make the proper decisions in our lives, we would also make the proper decisions concerning the lives of others.
The above article is borrowed from the
Northside Anchor, bulletin from the
Northside church of Christ -
Calhoun, Georgia,
Kent Bailey – preacher
How many times have we asked about a congregation of the Lord’s church when it has become weak, or liberal, “How did it get that way”? The answer is the same most of the time – Satan Took Advantage! Many would look at this and agree, some accepting this answer as if they held no responsibility for the condition of the congregation where they attend. However, we must be reminded that the church that meets in a particular location consists of its members. Are not the members the one’s Satan takes advantage of? Of course they are! Satan is not so foolish to try to attack all the members at the same time. All he needs to do is “influence” a few, stir up a little strife and wait for the “body” to attack itself, or allow itself to be led astray.
Do we need to be reminded that 2Corinthians 5:10 is written to warn the church there that “all” members of the church will stand at the judgment seat of Christ? Should we need to be reminded that each, as individual souls, will be held responsible for the “things done in his body”, “whether it be good or bad”?
Hopefully, we realize that simply because our parents, or spouse are faithful members of the Lord’s church, that we don’t have an “in” with the Lord. Does not Galatians 6:7 clearly state “for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”?
It is articles such as the one above that keeps us reminded of the tactics Satan uses to lure the Christian into complacency, or how he negatively influences the Christian. These types of articles prevent Satan from “getting an advantage of us:”, as they help us so that we are “not ignorant of his devices.” (2Corinthians 2:11)
Let’s all keep our focus on having the right attitude, reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word daily and striving to serve God faithfully in accordance with His rightly divided Word. All this can be done on an individual level to our own benefit and for the good of the congregation of the Lord’s church where we attend. And, we’ll all be happier here, and when we meet for eternity.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
