Why Satan Loves Detached Believers

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES 40 Days of Love

Why Satan Loves Detached Believers By Rick Warren — Jul 23, 2015 “Encourage one another daily … so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV) A church family will help keep you from backsliding. None of us are immune to temptation. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin. God knows this, so he has assigned us as individuals the responsibility of keeping each other on track. The Bible says, “Encourage one another daily … so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV). “Mind your own business” is not a Christian phrase! We are called and commanded to be involved in each other’s lives. If you know someone who is wavering spiritually right now, it is your responsibility to go after him and bring him back into the fellowship. James tells us, “If you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back” (James 5:19 MSG). A local church also provides the spiritual protection of godly leaders. God gives the shepherd leader the responsibility to guard, protect, defend, and care for the spiritual welfare of his flock (Acts 20:28-29; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:7). We are told, “Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God” (Hebrews 13:17b NLT, second edition). Satan loves detached believers, unplugged from the life of the Body, isolated from God’s family, and unaccountable to spiritual leaders, because he knows they are defenseless and powerless against his tactics. Don’t let him get a foothold in your life! Stay connected to your church family. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>> Talk It Over What kind of relationships will you have to develop if you want accountability with people in the Body of Christ? How should you pray for your church leaders? What do you need to do to reconnect with your church family? Who do you know that needs to be brought back into your church family? Today’s Scripture “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair...He set my feet on solid ground...He has given me a new song to sing...” (Psalm 40:1–3, NLT) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS He Lifts You Up Have you ever felt like you were in a pit of despair? Just like God lifted David out, God is going to lift you out. Where you are right now is not where you’re going to stay. There are brighter days up ahead for you filled with favor, promotion and increase. As you walk uprightly before Him, no good thing will He withhold from you. Notice that God gives us a new song, but we have to do our part to sing that song. That means you don’t go around talking about your problems, how bad things are, or how you’re never going to make it. No, you have a song of victory! If somebody asks you how you’re doing, your attitude should be, “I’m too blessed to be stressed! I’m moving forward in strength and power.” Remember, praise precedes the victory, and the Bible tells us that God is enthroned on our praises. As you magnify and lift Him up, He will lift you up out of your despair. He’ll set your feet on solid ground, and you’ll move forward in joy and victory in every area of your life. A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for lifting me up to higher places. Thank You for putting a new song in my heart. I choose to sing and be grateful today for the life of blessing You have in store for me in Jesus’ name! Amen!” PS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8ppaRmdtCU