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Hey, devil, "Boo!"

Hey, devil, "Boo!"

4 quick dynamics on what to do with the devil.

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Welcome to The Smart Edit newsletter! Thanks for reading and sharing.

This week … a bit of an abbreviated newsletter ➡️ Hey, devil, “Boo!” ➡️ Take your stand ➡️ Just what is the “Fourth Turning?”

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🎧️ On the pod: What to do with the devil (Ep 327)

KINGDOM DYNAMIC
Hey, devil, ‘Boo!

Is there really a devil? From a Christian perspective, indeed … and understanding how to deal with him is vital.

When we look at the Bible, it’s clear that Jesus and Paul didn’t ignore evil; instead, they taught us to confront it with discernment and fighting power.

Here are four quick dynamics on what to do with the devil! 👿

⚔️ Stay Aware: Recognize the devil’s tactics. He operates through dark powers, but we have the insight and Christ’s Strength to stand firm. “Be sober (self-controlled), be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion …” (1 Peter 5.8).

⚔️ Know His Defeat: Remember, he’s already been judged by Christ. Jesus said, "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out" (John 12:31). Satan is already defeated, and his judgment has been declared.

⚔️ Use Kingdom Tactics: Scripture guides us on how to resist with tactics. Ephesians warns, "Don’t give place (an opportunity) to the devil" (Ephesians 4.27). Close any doors he could use. Anger. Compromise. Sin. Bad thinking and emoting.

⚔️ Prosecute in Prayer: Take him to Christ’s Judgment in prayer, casting down accusations with the truth of God’s Word. The judgment of the devil is already at play.

Achieve Firm Fighting Footing (FFF) in these dynamics. We can prosecute the battle from a position of victory in Christ.

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WORD WEALTH 🪙
Take your stand in the “evil day”

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day …” (Ephesians 6.13 NKJV). Anthistemi (anth-is-tay-mee) is from anti, “against,” and histemi, “to cause to stand.” Vigorously opposing, standing face-to-face against an adversary, standing your ground. We can stand against the devil and his demons with the positioning and weapons Christ has provided us.

Related: see the new, growing collection of Smart Edit ‘Word Wealth’ segments.

STELLAR QUOTE
The growing power of Jesus is the spirit of history

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The cross is the center of the world’s history; the incarnation of Christ and the crucifixion of our Lord are the pivot round which all the events of the ages revolve. The testimony of Christ was the spirit of prophecy, and the growing power of Jesus is the spirit of history.

Alexander MacLaren