OVERCOMING THE ENEMY

This is one of the topics we've discussed yesterday in my cellgroup. I'm glad it made us realize one simple fact.... "God gave us the power to overcome the Enemy". Hope this reminds us always that things will always happen for a reason. It is either by our own choice or someone is playing us around, always trying to let us lose our game. But thank God, we have the power to overcome anything that comes our way.

The following are ways God gave us to overcome the enemy:

1. BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
- Luke 4:1-2
- Lesson from the story: there will come a time in your life when you will be tested especially on occassions where you are filled with the presence of God. If that time comes, you should be ready to face the enemy. Just like what Jesus did.
-Since Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, He was able to overcome the devil's schemes by His Faith and God's Word.

2. STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH WITH GOD'S WORD:
- Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You."
- Heeding God's Word:
(a) Fills Us;
(b) Instructs Us;
(c) Warns Us;
(d) Prevents us from sinning
(e) Helps us to know God more;
(f) Teaches us how to live Life.

3. WATCH AND PRAY:
- Matthew 26:41 (The Message Bible)
- "Stay Alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."
- "The Spirit is willing but the body is weak."
-If we fill up our bodies with food to be strengthened, lest's also fill up our spirits with the word of God.
- Train ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit by praying and being alert.

4. BE SELF-CONTROLLED:
- 1 Peter 5:8 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."
- Keep a cool head and keep your guard up.

5. RESIST THE DEVIL:
- James 4:7 " Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
- Let God work His will in you.
- The devil is destined to flee from you "IF" you resist him.

6. PUT ON THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD:
- Ephesians 6:11 " Put o the full armour or God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
- God's Full Armour:
(a) Helmet of Salvation
(b) Breastplate of Righteousness
(c) Belt of Truth
(d) Shoes of the Proclaiming the Gospel
(e) Shield of Faith
(f) Sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God.