devil | Thoughts About God

Safety

Devotionals — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:03:44 +0000

“Lock your door and don’t go out alone!” Most of us will have gotten this advice from some caring person, a person that is concerned about our safety. God is concerned about our safety and gives some clear advice about the dangers around us.

First, God make it clear there is an enemy that wants to rob us of what he wants to give us. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” -John 10:10

The thief, the devil attacks when we are in the most vulnerable, exposed and in difficult circumstances. God warns us, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
– 1 Peter 5:8

One of Satan’s strategy to devour our souls is to send untrue thoughts into our minds, the thoughts, “flaming dart” are sent to discourage us, to move us to despair and darkness of the soul. The devil, the father of lies (John 8:44), is a professional liar and will lie about the most tender things in our soul. God’s wisdom, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one...”
–Ephesians 6:16

The tactic God gives for safety is to run to him. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” –James 4:7 We can run to many things to escape despair. The evil one wants us to run to things that will make it easier for him to “steal, kill and destroy” not to God.

Are you safe?

Prayer: Father, I come to you today for safety in the battle. I seek your protection; I have been foolish to attempt to face the spiritual forces around me alone. I will by faith trust what you say is true to defeat the lies of Satan. Thank you that I am safe with you. Amen

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission
www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

Are you seeking the safety that can be found in the power of Jesus? He defeated Satan when he rose from the grave. You can know him personally by surrendering to him, accepting that He is who He says he is and inviting Him into your life. This is a sample suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

It starts now! Learn his promises and claim them against the powers of darkness.

FURTHER READING

Follow Us On: Facebook • ‘X’ Twitter • Instagram • Pinterest

The post Safety appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The Attack

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:03:54 +0000

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

It came like a thief in the night, totally unexpected or unimaginable. It happened on September 11, an odd coincidence since that’s the number (911) that we call for emergencies. We all remember where we were when it happened and stayed glued to the television throughout the day. Planes struck both World Trade Center buildings, hit the Pentagon and a fourth attack was thwarted by passengers on board.

Three weeks later, as the buildings were still smoldering and ash still falling, my wife and I headed to South Manhattan armed with Bible pamphlets which we handed out on the streets, ashes falling on our heads. People reached for what we had, as they were hungry for the Word in a time of crisis. It is amazing how desired the Bible becomes in times of crisis.

Satan attacks in various ways, usually striking like a snake. The adversary is aware of who you are. He knows of your divine heritage and seeks to limit your earthly and heavenly potential by using the three Ds: Deception, Distraction and Discouragement. He infiltrates the world with his lies, and even believers can be deceived. He’s always ready to interject his ideas into our minds and lead us astray by convincing us that there will be no consequences for sin. If we believe his lies and disobey our heavenly Father, we will suffer His loving discipline.

Spiritual warfare is real, and we all will one time(s) or another be one of Satan’s targets. Like the Boy Scout oath we need to be prepared. Spiritual warfare is best confronted with spiritual preparedness, so to be prepared we need to immerse ourselves daily in the Bible, prayer and spiritual fellowship.

Whenever you choose less than God’s best or to forego God’s prescribed plans, you always put yourself in a vulnerable position. Whenever you choose to go your own way and not follow God’s plan with God’s people, you put yourself in a weakened position. When we settle for less than God’s best or His will, we set ourselves up for attack from the enemy. We should put on Jesus and make no provisions for the flesh. Romans 13:14

So, the next time you are confronted by a bully boastful devilish serpentine enemy, call out to God. Pray for the Spirit’s empowerment. Lead in the Spirit. Maybe even ask for some holy anger to drive you on. And when victory is won, give glory to God.

by John Grant
used by permission

Resist the Enemy

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 09:03:46 +0000

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

Thoughts on today’s verse

Satan is real. He and his power are intended to harm. But rather than spending our time worrying about him, let’s resist him when we are tempted and focus on Jesus. He’s the one who won the big showdown at Calvary, triumphing over Satan. He took Satan’s greatest tool and disarmed it. Now we can resist and Satan will flee.

Prayer:

Thank you, Almighty God, for sending Jesus to break Satan’s stranglehold over us. Through the Savior’s death you have assured me that mine won’t be the end of our relationship, but the beginning of life with you. Today, however, I ask that you help me especially resist Satan’s power over my life in the following ways… Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware
used by permission
from https://www.heartlight.org

You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

When Satan Hinders You

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 08:03:04 +0000

“Wherefore we would have come unto you … but Satan hindered us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (KJV)

Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience that Satan hinders us. From all points of the compass, all along the line of battle, in front and behind, at the dawn of day and in the midnight hour, Satan hinders us. If we toil in the field, he seeks to break the plow. If we build a wall, he labors to cast down the stones. If we serve God in suffering or in conflict, everywhere Satan hinders us.

He hinders us when we are first coming to Jesus Christ. Everyone experiences fierce conflicts with Satan when we first look to the cross and live. When we are saved, Satan endeavors to hinder the completeness of our personal character. You may be congratulating yourself, thinking “I have until now walked consistently and no one can challenge my integrity.” Beware of boasting, for your virtue will yet be tested. Satan will direct his efforts against that virtue for which you have become proud.

If you continue as a firm believer, your faith will soon be attacked. If you have been meek as Moses, expect to be tempted to speak unadvisedly with your lips. The birds will peck at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will bludgeon his tusks against your choicest vines.

Satan is sure to hinder us when we are earnest in prayer. He attacks our persistence, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss out on God’s blessing. Satan is vigilant in obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition. As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah begin to labor, Sanballat and Tobiah are stirred up to hinder them.

We should not be alarmed when Satan hinders us. It is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side and are doing the Lord’s work. In His strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary.

Question: How have you been under spiritual attack lately? What resources has God provided to prevail against such attack?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2011.
Used by permission