Stand Up to the Devil!

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

Jesus told his disciples a parable about a man that planted on the farm in Matthew 13:24-28. But at night, when the man slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the good seeds that were already planted. That is interesting because it shows many different things happening when people are asleep, good or bad. But what is the meaning of weed in this story?

Weeds somehow have the strength to grow faster and get more nutrients than the good plant on the farm. They can stop nutrients and light from getting to the plants, and in the end, the farmer will have no gain if he does not go to the farm to pull out the weeds there. Likewise, the evil seed has the power to destroy everything good in life when allowed the enemy to take over.

1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walked about, seeking whom he may devour.”

The works of the devil are clear: to steal, to kill, and to destroy. He will steal the joy God has given you, kill the works of the spirit of God in you and destroy the good things that are already there for you. This will be done through sin because sin will not look like a big deal when you start. But before you realize it, you are already deep into the dirt that you might find it difficult to turn back to God.

The first step to take in standing against the devil is to realize the works of the devil. In Matthew 13:28, the man recognizes that the enemy has done this. Being able to recognize the devil’s hand will keep us prepared for what is about to happen. Verse 12 of today’s text tells you that you are not fighting against flesh and blood, so you must be spiritually alert and ready to wage war with the devil. As a Christian, you should never be caught unawares. So, James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Prayer:
1. My spiritual life must not go down; help me to keep burning for you, Lord.
2. Deuteronomy 28:7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways in Jesus’ name. Amen.