February 2019 Words of Life (Week 1)

Schemes of Satan

For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16

1. The Lust of the Flesh (cravings for sensual gratification (Amplified)) is something that brings physical pleasure to your body through some sinful activity.  This can be sexual, but it can also include many other things such as drugs, alcohol, smoking, eating, etc. 

2. The Lust of the Eyes (greedy longings of the mind (Amplified)) deals with envy, coveting, or desiring something someone else has or something that we should not have.  This can be material things such as cars and houses, it could be a job title or status, it could be someone’s appearance, a person’s spouse or kids, or looking at pornography.

3. The Pride of Life (assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things (Amplified)) is a lack of humility, thinking that you do not need God and can do everything yourself.  This could also include the desire to want credit and notoriety for things.

Satan has used these same three schemes from the beginning and is still using them today.  Notice Eve’s temptation in Genesis 3:6, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”  Good for food (lust of the flesh), pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and desirable to make one wise [like God, knowing good and evil] (pride of life).  Now read Matthew 4:1-11 and see how Satan tempted Jesus; “command these stones to become bread” [because you haven’t eaten in 40 days] (lust of the flesh), “throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple” [angels will catch you] (pride of life), “I will give you all the kingdoms of the world” (lust of the eyes).  Satan will try these same tricks on you, but you are now aware of Satan’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11).  Do as Jesus did.  Memorize the Word and speak It back to Satan when he tempts you, “For it is written…….” Matthew 4:10

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