DON'T IGNORE THE DEVIL

Don't Ignore the Devil
John Barnett

There is a habit common among humans that many of us practice from time to time. This practice is called "ignoring things we don"t like and hoping they will go away".
With minor aches and pains—that method often works. With leaks, debt, and mechanical problems it almost never works.
When we ignore problems with our health, with our homes, and with our cars—those problems usually worsen. People that bother us that we ignore and hope they go away works sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't.
But when we enter into the realm of our spiritual life, spiritual health, and spiritual safety—ignoring the Devil is the worst choice we can make!
Paul warns Christ's church, more than any other New Testament writer, of the dangers of the Devil. Paul goes on to command every believer in the name and the authority of the Lord—to be aware of, ready for, and armed against the Devil.
If I could summarize all of Paul's extensive teachings on Satan it would come down to one phrase: "Don't Ignore the Devil".
Please open with me to II Corinthians 2.1-11.
Several weeks ago, as we started in this Spiritual Warfare series, I urged you to re-examine what you are doing each day in life and why. Hold up all of your habits, desires, hobbies, spare time, recreation, sports, pursuits, collections, appetites, and all else to the scrutiny of God's Word.
Today I remind you that we live on an active battlefield every minute of our earthly lives. Not only is there a cosmic war swirling around us...
There Is a War Swirling Within Us
Satan and his army of demons are the ultimate terrorist insurgency. They are able to always creep around us unnoticed because they are absolutely silent and completely invisible.
Yet they are more deadly to our spiritual lives than any truck bomber or suicide vest. Yet their invisibility and silence make them often ignored. That is why Paul tells us "Don't Ignore the Devil"!
Don't yield any ground in your li ...

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