It has been my experience that the devil’s deception is centred on what you desire; that is, he knows which of your desires will lead you away from Jesus.

I agree with Selwyn when he writes: ‘The devil tempts us through the things we like, not the things we don’t like.’ One of his tactics – is to get us to accept that small lapses in following God’s way, are okay; if they result in us getting something we desire, and that we imagine the outcome is ‘good’ for us.

Selwyn says something similar: ” … God has created us with an appreciation for the aesthetic but before we know it, Satan pushes us to become preoccupied with it. He continues until, without realising it, the ‘beautiful’ things have taken over our lives and have driven out all thoughts of God.”

I think Selwyn’s introduction to today’s study is an excellent guide to the ways Satan works. “A further device of Satan, which he employed with Adam and Eve, was to appeal to their physical, aesthetic and intellectual nature. ‘ … the fruit of the tree was good for food (an appeal to the physical being]: ‘pleasing to the eye’ (an appeal to the aesthetic being: ‘desirable for gaining wisdom’ (an appeal to the intellectual being) (Genesis 3:6). It is through these three avenues that Satan achieves some of his greatest conquests.”

The more active you are in following Jesus, the more attempts the devil will try to gain a foothold into you life.

A good test is to ask yourself, especially if you are preoccupied with any activity that falls into the above three avenues, is to ask yourself: Has my time spent with Jesus decreased recently – do I spend less time in prayer?

Sometimes, even activities which appear harmless, for example spending a lot of time on Facebook or twitter; or watching a lot of YouTube music videos where the lyrics are celebrating a life-style which is not aligned with God’s way. These activities can be the first, small steps away from God’s side. Once Satan has you headed in a direction away from Jesus – it becomes far easier of him to entice you to take the next, large steps.

Yet, we have one amazing defence against Satan’s activities – God’s love for us!

Selwyn uses James 1:14, as the key verse for today’s study – here it is, along with verse 15: ” … but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own ‘evil’ desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” The desire is evil because it has led the person away from Christ.

Your view?

I thought that today’s study was a good summary of the ways in which the devil works.

Satan tries to raise doubts in our hearts about God’s Word – as revealed to us in Scripture. He would also like to convince us that the Bible is not true and is not from God. Another, very important aspect of the devil’s work is to cast doubt on God’s goodness.

In this extract from the book of Job, we witness Job’s fantastic response to the loss of his family and possessions, Job 1:13-22 (NIV): ‘One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”

In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.’

I find this story to be remarkable – even though Job had lost so much, in such a short space of time – he could still fall to the ground in worship; he could still praise God; and, he did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

If, we accuse God of doing anything wrong then the whole basis of our relationship with God can be destroyed – and, we sin. It’s that simple; yet, the devil constantly works upon our doubts whenever something bad happens to us.

Selwyn’s conclusion is good: “Surely the devil has come to you with similar thoughts. But knowing where they come from is your security. Doubt is our adversary’s chief weapon, and trust in God our biggest defence.”

Do you agree?

Over the next few days – Selwyn will be discussing the devil. I think that the ‘evil one’ is not talked about as often as we should. Even though he is a defeated power, he still is an active power and we should be aware that he is always prowling around, like a lion, seeking to attack God’s children.

One possible reason, why ministers shy away from talking about the devil, is that there is a danger of assigning too much power to Satan. It’s important to take hold of the truth that the devil has been defeated – he cannot mortally damage, in a spiritual sense, a follower of Jesus.

Often in Scripture, the name given to a person or spiritual being, signifies to a degree their character. In the various descriptions of the devil there runs a common theme. He is a lying accuser, one who seeks to destroy the relationship between men/women and God.

The area, which he often focuses on, in his attacks – is – our pride.

In John 8:42-47 (NIV), we read these important words: ‘Jesus said to them (unbelieving Jews), “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. The devil was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

The point to be taken from these verses is that the devil is a cunning, crafty adversary who uses deception to appeal to our pride, in order to drive a wedge between us and God.

I liked Selwyn’s conclusion: ” … Look at the weapons we have to fight with – they are threefold: the blood of the lamb, the testimony of those to whom the blood has been applied, and the sacrificial spirit which carries them even unto death. Although we will never be able to avoid the attacks of the devil, through Christ and His triumph on the cross we are well able to withstand them. Make no mistake about it, the devil is a defeated foe. God knows it, the devil knows it, but all that is to no avail unless you know it.”

In Luke 22:31-32, we hear Jesus say to Peter (Simon):  “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

I’ve included the above verses to highlight that we don’t know the full story behind the devil’s action – it appears to me that he is given some role to test the followers of Jesus. Why, does God allows this? I don’t have an explicit answer – but I do have the confidence in God’s love, that in some way God turns these testing times – into something good; our transformation into the likeness of Jesus?

What do you think?

We spend one more day, looking at the fear of dying.

Two simple but clear bits of information, I found in this study. One, ‘Christians live in a resurrected Christ, and since He cannot die, neither can we.’

The second piece of information: “The next time you feel overcome by the thought of dying, just cast your anchor into the Easter waters. Remind yourself that the best Man who ever lived went down through death and came back, and one of the first things He said was: ‘Fear not!’ “

Jesus loves you, and He understands all the possible fears you may have, regarding your death – take your fears to God, in prayer, and He will help you face and overcome, your fears.

Selwyn starts today’s study, by asking the question: “How do we know Jesus Christ rose from the dead? (Acts 1:3) ‘He showed himself to these men,’ the author of Acts records, ‘and gave many ‘infallible’ proofs that He was alive.’ “

In a very real sense, the Church would not have survived up to this day, if Jesus’ resurrection was not true.

However, I liked Selwyn’s conclusion (as follows), because it’s an experience I also share.

” … perhaps the greatest of all proofs is the one an old man gave to a couple of young adults when they asked him why he believed Jesus rose from the dead. ‘Well,’ said the old man, ‘one reason is that I was talking to Him this morning.’

Your view?

Well, today’s study (further discussion on the fear of death) is one, which I don’t have much to say about.

I found this bit interesting: “Some Christians think we should never grieve at the funeral of a Christian but only sing: others believe we should only grieve and never sing. I think there is a place for both. We grieve because of the loss, and it is right to feel sorrow. But in the case of a person who is a Christian we have a wonderful hope that continues into eternity.”

I would like the people who come to my funeral to celebrate the joy of knowing Christ, as brothers and sisters, with the common hope that we share – knowing that in a short while, we will, all be together with God. Of course, there may be some degree of grief attached to the separation of a dead person from family and friends, but it should only be temporary. As we all look forward to our own resurrection.

In John’s Gospel, we read (John 11:21-27, NIV): ‘ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” …

Further on, we have the following verses John 11:38-40, “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” [Note: Four days was the time used to verify that death had occurred - and, the person was not in a coma, etc.]

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

The last verse above, illustrates the hope that we, who follow Jesus – all have; that after we die we will see, and share in, the glory of God.

Any comments?

Selwyn now starts a discussion on the sixth anchor point: the cross provides security and steadfastness in the face of death.

He looks at three areas, which contribute to the fear of death: the physical fact of dying (a painful death); the fear of finality; and, the fear of judgment.

As followers of Jesus, we should have no fear of finality, that death is the end and there is nothing beyond. In the same way we should have no fear of judgment because Jesus, has put the memory of our sins, far from Him. However, I think we will go through a process of presenting a report to Jesus on what we have done in His name, and He will respond with ‘well done, good and faithful servant’, if we have undertaken the good works which He had prepared for us to do; and, as long as we carried out these tasks with a loving servant’s heart, full of gratitude.

As Selwyn states in today’s study: “… no one who knows Christ need fear judgment. He is our Saviour, our Surety, our Physician, our Life-giver, our Redeemer and our Friend.”

I’ve left the fear of the physical pain of death to last: I think that this is a real fear – yet, with modern medicine – doctors can provide excellent palliative care which will often manage the pain experienced by terminally ill people. However, there are many who do not have access to this type of medical care; and, some people do experience the agony of death. We can’t ignore these facts.

I believe that Jesus never lets us suffer beyond what we can bear – His love for us is so great that He is always with us – even at the moment of death. I think this type of fear is one, which we bring to God in prayer and seek the power of His Spirit, to help us through the door of death into His magnificent and wonderful presence.

Regular readers will know that I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, last February. I can say that I’ve been thinking a lot about death. On the one hand, I can’t wait to die and be with my Lord; yet, on the other hand I’m apprehensive about the possible pain associated with this type of death (that is, from cancer).  I think many followers of Jesus have a similar attitude. Prayer is the best way to deal with this concern.

The Scripture selected by Selwyn for reading and meditation is Hebrews 2:10-18 (NIV).

“In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Jesus suffered an extremely painful death on the cross; and. many of His followers (our brothers and sisters) have suffered throughout the ages. I’m sure that He can and will be with us – at the moment of death; and, that He will help us through any suffering.

Your view?