Life Group weekly challenge: Lucifer

Our new series started with a study of Adam and Eve.  On Saturday we studied Lucifer. 

As a continuation of what Jamie started last week, we know that spiritual warfare is real.  It can be easy to state and sometimes even comforting to believe.  But we still have a difficult time when talking about Satan.  Why??  Maybe Verbal Kint is correct when in The Usual Suspects he says the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing a world that he doesn’t exist.   Or maybe our culture has created a pitchfork carrying character similar to a Santa Claus. 

So we took time in Life Group to go through the bible and list the names used to describe or talk about Lucifer.  Here is a partial list:

Accuser, adversary, lion, Beelzebul, ruler of demons, Belial, Leviathan, twisted serpent, devil, father of lies, dragon, serpent, satan, evil spirit, ruler of this world, prince of the power of the air, tempter, god of this world, Lucifer, angel of light, the enemy, Angel of the abyss, Abaddon, Apollyon

Then we made a list of the attributes or characteristics of Satan:

Was the anointed cherub, is limited spatially, and not omnipresent.

He is a liar, an oppressor, and an imitator.

He came to kill, steal, and destroy.

He will tempt, he plans, he schemes, he fights, he loses.

My challenge for you this week involves watching this clip of Bishop Ron Archer testimony.

Then I want you to stand with your family outside of your house and tell Satan that he is not welcome in your home.  Tell him that in the power of the name of Jesus, that you forbid him to work in your home.  Then pray a blessing on your house and family.

Be intentional this week.

Travis 

Weekly Challenge: Identify the Real Enemy

Life Group Community,
We ended the Spring bible study series with 1 Peter 5:1-11.  In the first 7 verses,

• Peter reminds us (spiritual leaders, elders, pastors, etc.) that we have a responsibility to shepherd, guide, & protect.
• We need to serve out of desire, not obligation.  
• We, and the young leaders are encouraged to seek counsel and be humble. 
• We must give our anxieties and worries completely to God.  Because worry constitutes pride since it denies the care of a sovereign God. 

But wait, there's more!

We have all heard about Satan prowling around like a lion waiting to devour someone (verse 8).  But it is more than just imagery.  It is real.  The name Satan, means adversary.  He is our enemy.  He was given limited power (Job 1:8-12), but his mission is to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).  He will do this through lies (John 8:44).
We must identify the real enemy.  It is not your spouse.  It is not your family.  It is not your church community.  It is not your job.  It IS Satan, the great deceiver.

My challenge to you this week is to spend time getting to know your adversary.  Know his names, his attributes, his methods, his characteristics.  I suspect that you will begin to see that he is real, but he is not original.  Once you identify the enemy and the simple tactics, you can begin to prepare to fight the enemy with the power of God.

Verbal Kent, from The Usual Suspects, had a great line when he said "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he does not exist".

Be intentional.
Travis