Satan Fears the Pursuit of Purity

Nov 19, 2014 Satan Fears the Pursuit of Purity by Rick Warren “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest.” (Ephesians 6:14 HCSB) We don’t have to do anything wrong for Satan to attack us. It’s what he does. It’s who he is. The Bible calls him “the accuser of our brothers and sisters"(Revelation 12:10 NLT). And he wants nothing more than to attack those who love Jesus. Yet often, our own impure lifestyles open up the door of our hearts for his attacks. He knows that if he can slip his foot into the door of our hearts through impurity, we’re goners. He’ll trip us up with all sorts of temptations, from pornography to movies to books to songs — whatever it takes to make us ineffective as a Kingdom influencer. That’s why Paul’s breastplate of righteousness is so important as we battle against whatever Satan throws at us. In Ephesians 6:14, Paul urges believers to “Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest” (HCSB). A Roman soldier going to war would always put on a breastplate to protect his heart. No soldier would dare go to battle without protecting his heart. Neither should we. Paul tells us that righteousness, or purity of motives, is our breastplate. When we ask God to give us a pure heart and pure motives, we’re putting on that breastplate of righteousness. Satan fears the person with a pure heart — not the perfect person, but the person who wants to do the right thing and keeps his or her motives pure. People who pursue purity don’t have to be afraid of him; he is afraid of them. Purity doesn’t mean perfection, though. None of us fit that description. God expects purity of motives, not perfection of action. It means when you do something wrong, you want to make it right. You can’t have God’s blessing on your family, your business, or any other area of your life unless you seriously pursue that kind of purity. For example, open up your heart to greed, and you’ll follow a well-worn path to destruction. If Satan can get you to want more, he’ll get you to cheat on your taxes. He’ll get you to make a shady business deal. Leave the door to your heart ajar through pride, and you’ll chase the applause and praise of others rather than the approval of God. That leads nowhere. Without a pure heart, you’re a pushover for Satan. You don’t have to be strong to stand against Satan’s attacks, but you do need to protect yourself with God’s armor of righteousness. Talk It Over Are there areas of your life where you may have become vulnerable to impurity? Why do you think that? What can you do about it? Who can you invite into your life to keep you accountable to make pure decisions that honor Jesus?

Be Still and Know

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God…’"
(Psalm 46:10, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD:

In our world today, most people are used to having constant activity: computers, cell phones, television, email, video games. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, but the Bible tells us that we need to stop and be still so we can focus on knowing God. This is especially true during the difficult times. When you are facing a challenge, it’s easy to want to run to a friend or talk about it with a co-worker. But at some point, you have to stop and say, “God, I rest in You. I know You have me in the palm of Your hand.” 

Remember, our battles are spiritual battles. The people in your life aren’t the source of your problems, the forces of darkness are. When you choose to be still and know that the Greater One lives on the inside of you, you are putting yourself in a position of strength. So today, take time to be still before Him. Let His peace cover you. Let Him refresh you by His Spirit. Remember, the battles you face belong to the Lord. Be still before Him so you can see His hand of victory in every area of your life!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father in heaven, I humbly come before You. I choose to be still before You. Speak to my heart so I can know You more. Fill me with Your peace as I put my trust in You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

​PS...​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXeCQgOlx4Q