Resisting the devil is imperative, but it is not the endgame. Think about this for a moment because it's really pretty simple: 'Come near to God and He will come near to you.' Satan's goal is to drive a wedge between you and God, so how do you keep him from doing it? By closing the gap between you and God! There are three things that make or break us in our daily battles walking this journey of faith: (1) We Distance ourselves from God unconsciously... You become preoccupied, self-centered, or overcommitted. Before you know it, prayer is limited to grace said over meals, Bible reading to the pastor's sermon text, and worship to a Sunday morning interlude. The writer of Hebrews says '...Pay more careful attention, therefore, to what [you] have heard, so that [you] do not drift away.' (Hebrews 2:1 NIV) Distancing is a subtle drift, not a sudden dash. (2) Distancing from God is dangerous... Satan's goal is to separate you from God and His blessing. Like a soldier in enemy territory who's cut off, you become an easy target. The Bible says, 'If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.' (Ecclesiastes 4:10 NLT) (3) Distancing from God is a choice... But it's your choice, never God's! He says, '...I will never leave you, nor forsake you.' (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) Whatever your circumstances, He remains faithful. 'When you pass through the waters...the fire...I am with you...' (Isaiah 43:2-5 NIV) What's God's part? 'He will come near to you.' Take one step in His direction and He will close the gap, embrace, secure, and enable you '...to stand against the wiles of the devil.' (Ephesians 6:11 NKJV) So put on the whole armor of God! You are loved...
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