Trusting the Serpent (Day 4.3)
December 9, 2009 by Christine
Filed under BF-Week 04
We’re gifting ourselves with the Word of God at the Bible Cafe, studying the Breaking Free Updated Edition by Beth Moore. Today we continue our discussion of generational bondage as we look at the schemes of the serpent Satan.
What child is unaware of Satan? From the time we can understand the meaning of God, we’re also taught to fear Satan and his wicked ways. In kindergarten, my daughter came home singing a song about stomping Satan. She also shared stories about sticking her tongue out at the evil one. In childlike innocence, we’re taught to stand up against the enemy of temptation. Here is a post I wrote about my daughter when she described Satan. (Click here to read.)
As we age, we find ourselves weakened in our determination to fight him. Like falling into a comfortable pair of winter pajamas, we fall into a familiar pattern of allowing the serpent to wrap our lives in anger, pride, fear or unforgiveness.
Some of us have lived life wrapped in the slimy texture of Satan’s scales….unaware of our bondage passed down through generational sin. We didn’t just wake up one morning and say “Satan’s here.” He’s been preying on us, on our parents, and on our grandparents. The only thing that stands in the way of the serpent preying on your children and grandchildren, is you.
Let’s put on a shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit…. and break free from the grasp of the serpent.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:16-18
Prayer Requests
Lord, we ask courage in breaking free from our family heritage of bondage. Gift us with the spirit to love and forgive those members of our family who fell prey to the serpent. Bring us the peace of Christ and set our feet on new soil as we redirect the path of our family into freedom from bondage. In Jesus name, Amen.
Beth Moore Quotes
- We can be sure Satan will do everything to lead us astray-Beth Moore
- We don’t need to be afraid of Satan’s opportunism, just aware of it -Beth Moore
- Generational yokes often go undetected because they blend in so well with our personalities -Beth Moore
- Satan is out to take advantage of virtually anything God allows -Beth Moore
Today’s Scripture Verses
The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 12:9
That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity. Luke 4:13 (The Message)
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Group Discussion
How do you feel about Satan leading you astray from the sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3)? Please comment.
Breaking free,
Satan and his like are really good at what they do. Sometimes I think I see them coming but they know I’m proud to spot them and get me by sneaking in the back door.
i don’t like it one bit. that he sits lurking waiting for us to feel insecure about something. on he preys on that emotion.
so i wanted to share something that happened to me yesterday. now i get eye migraines from time to time (for the past 15yrs). it comes on when i have lack of sleep or stressed out. when one comes on, my vision gets really blurry. usually pain meds don’t work and i have to sleep it off.
so yesterday, one came on. really strong from lack of sleep. i had to go pick up my son within the hour so i was really scared about driving. so i took two motrins, and prayed to God. i lifted it up to him and i said it was his and i would not dwell on it but asked for his mercy. within 10 minutes of praying, i actually felt it being lifted from my eye. and i could see straight again. i had never prayed about it in the past but this time i did and he took it away. and i just thanked him…he is an AWESOME GOD!
sometimes you wonder if God hears your prayers…and being new back to church…he answered me that i knew HE was there and HE heard me. it was a small prayer but it was a powerful feeling of it being lifted away.
Wonderful testimony Nicole. Prime example of scripture “We have not because we ask not” You did not ask in the past but this time you did. The supernatural power of God.
What I noticed about this was the comparison to Eve, and then the talk of “sincere and pure devotion to Christ”. Eve walked and talked face to face with God. Others had sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Yet, satan in his cunning was able to deceive even them…. does it make me feel good? No!, but does it help me to feel a little less “weak”, or “bad” or whatever? Yes! Because if he is able to do that to those, than I can be kinder to my own failures. Excuse them? Not. Just learn and be wiser to his cunning and deceptions, plus more vigilant in my walk. I also thought I had a pure and sincere devotion to Christ, but was walking in deception. So, it is obvious we need more than our own power. We need to lean on Him for this walk.
He is definitely cunning…sneaks things in there that I just pick up as “mine” from time to time….glad we are breaking free and cleaning all of his junk out and replacing it with treasure!
I like Paul, would not like want to suffer the the painful consequences from rejecting Christ and trusting a false faith. I believe that trusting only Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy spirit is the only way I will make it to his kingdom. I Pray that I will never be led away from my pure devotion to Christ, who wakes me up each morning. I”m so glad to be Breaking Free. No longer tied down by the Devil.
Amen
I feel like a failure at times. Satan is subtle and cunning. Got to keep my heart close to Christ and my eyes on Him at all times.
Satan can be tricky and slick. we may think we know what he going to and know but it may do it when we are not watching. which is why we need to be in realationship with christ to know what to do when satan tries to attack us so we don’t get trapped.