11/7/2021 [Sunday Service] www.lifechurchmissions.com

Be Wiser than our Enemy! <2 Co4:4; Jn8:44; 1 Pe5:8; 2 Co2:11; Ps 119:97-105>

Reference: “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis.

Read: < 2 Co 4:4; Jn 8:44; 1 Pe5:8; 2 Co 2:11>

1. Cunning schemes of the devil:

1) Let believers have an appearance of godliness, yet without its essence.

• Although believe in the Lord, living habits and thought patterns are still same as before.

• Only stop at thinking about repentance, but not acting on it.

• Virtues very abstract, but evil very real.

2) As long as can achieve the aim of turning people away from God, anything will do.

• Pains or pleasures.

            - Worldly contentment is more effective than suffering in making humans forget God.

            - Suffering: Make people think about their vulnerability and the reality of death, thus drawing   them to God.

            - Worldly pleasures: Make people unsuspecting, even dreaming of creating a ‘heaven on earth’ in this sinful world.

            - The devil is unable to create pleasures, but he can only “encourage humans to take the            pleasures which God has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees which He has     forbidden”. [C.S. Lewis]

• Big or small sins.

            - “The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden   turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” [C.S. Lewis]

3) Let man only focus on himself.

• So that he has no concern for God or man.

4) Let humans only treat faith as a means, but the world as an end.

• He distorts what he can’t stop.

• He likes “moderate” Christianity.

• Leads people to “Christianity And”

2. Easy preys for Satan.

• Those who like to focus on themselves.

• One without self-control.

• The proud.

• One with little faith.

3. How to be wiser than the devil?

            Read < Ps 119:97-105>

• The best antidote to lies is truth.

• Love and meditate on God’s word all day long <Ps 119:97-99, 103>

            - Knowledge alone cannot fully save us, but we must let God’s word fill our “consciousness”.

• Must obey God’s word <Ps 119:100-101>

            - So that enemies cannot accuse us.

            - Do not let the devil have a hold on us due to sins.