"THEN COMETH THE DEVIL"

Lk. 8:12

Intro:

    1. Little boy asked mother why the devil wasn't destroyed in the flood: Then answered, "The devil is a spirit; he could crawl upon the ark."
      1. More faith in God's word than many religious leaders: Majority deny.
    2. Bible declares the devil to be real: From Gen. 3 through Rev. 22. Unfolding of struggle between God and the devil, eventual defeat for the one who gained a temporary victory in the beginning.
    3. The devil is man's adversary (I Pet. 5:8). Not an abstract idea, possesses characteristics of personality.
      1. Desires to destroy man: Must accept the reality.
      2. Powerful and deceptive (see Eph. 6:11-12).
      3. Caused such great men as Abraham, Moses, David to sin: Tempted Christ to sin.
    4. Text states devil comes to man: To lead away from God, into sin.
      1. Study to notice some occasions when the devil comes to man. He is a constant threat to man, in every situation.

DISCUSSION: IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE, NONE EXCLUDED (NOT EVEN IN WORSHIP).



  1. WHEN MEN HAVE PROSPERITY: "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. Devil uses prosperity to kill spirituality; Alien and Christian. He keeps from obedience through great interest in this world; blinds the eyes of men (2 Cor. 4:4)
      1. Israel warned of danger (Deut. 8:11-13). Became a reality (Amos... "At ease in Zion"- 6:1).
        1. Chokes out the word (Lk. 8:14). Feel no time, no interest.
        2. Causes to be entangled in world (2 Tim. 2:4).
        3. Develops a feeling of self-sufficiency (Rev. 3:17). No dependance on God (Lk. 12:15-21; I Tim. 6:17).
          1. "Beware" (v. 15). Danger; alarm word. "Beware of coveteousness."
          2. How many admit this is a weakness through which the devil approaches them? Our age is restless; discontent, desire to have more and more as see prosperity of others (see Mk. 10:23).


  2. WHEN MEN ARE IN POVERTY: "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. Try to cause man to curse God, blame Him for financial difficulties (see Job 2:9).
    2. Because of poverty, seeing others "get ahead" (self pity: "I deserve more"; "Not fair that others have more," etc.) Tempted to dishonest means to make wealth (I Tim. 6:9-10). See Psa. 73:2-3.
      1. Those who "sell soul" for few dollars, job, etc. (Illus. Judas).
      2. "Neither poverty or riches" (Prov. 30:8-9).


  1. WHEN MAN IS WEAK AND WEARY: "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. Devil attacks most vulnerable point: Need for watching, guarding.
    2. Attacks the stragglers.
    3. Matt. 4:2: Approached Christ when hungry, thirsty; appeals to our weaknesses.
    4. Not necessarily physical weakness: All have weakness in spiritual man. All have troubles, discouragements: Tempted to give up.


  2. WHEN MAN IS STRONG: "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. Reason for Paul's thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:10).
    2. When feel "strong" one will not be drawing near God, worshiping, studying, praying.


  1. WHEN THE CHURCH ENJOYS "SUCCESS": "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. Corinthian church blessed with spiritual gifts: "Came behind in none" (I Cor. 1:7).
      1. Yet, tempted with pride, self-esteem: Failed to realize all they had was given to them as a gift from God.
      2. Puffed up, not mourning over deplorable sins (I Cor. 5).
    2. Today: Concerned with numbers, good will of all so that unpleasant task of making moral judgments neglected.


  1. WHEN TRYING TO MAKE CORRECTION OF SIN: "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. Can be self-righteous, vindictive spirit (see Gal. 6:1).
    2. Devil can gain advantage if not careful (2 Cor. 2:11).


  1. WHEN BEING REBUKED FOR SIN BY THE WORD OF GOD: "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. Word is to reprove, correct (2 Tim. 3:16). Preachers, others to use word to this end (4:2). Such is for the saving of the soul (I Cor.5:5).
    2. Devil tries to stir up mind so that it will not receive reproof (Note the admonition, "Suffer the word of exhortation"- Heb. 13:22)
      1. Preacher becomes enemy (see Gal. 4:16): "Out to get me." "As good as others that never get rebuked." "Not the right way to rebuke me."
      2. Anger: "go some other place, or not go at all." Such will not change the truth, nor the need for making correction in life.
      3. Word must have "free course," not obstructed if it is to accomplish its end (2 Thess. 3:1).
      4. Attitude is so important: "Wrath of man works not the righteousness of God...Lay aside all filthiness of the flesh...receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save your soul" (Jas. 1:20-21).


  1. WHEN MISTREATED BY OTHERS: "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. All will suffer unfair treatment by others: If live right, will suffer (2 Tim. 3:12; Lk. 17:1).
    2. Devil comes to incite to take matters into own hands, retaliate. He tries to cause one to think his actions are justified.
    3. "Avenge not yourselves..." (Rom. 12:19). "Let not the sun go down on your wrath...Neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:26-27).


  2. WHEN MEN ASSEMBLE TO WORSHIP GOD: "THEN COMETH THE DEVIL."


    1. The holiest environment invaded by the devil (see Job 1:6).
    2. Comes to cause men to offer insincere worship: With the mouth, not with the heart; form rather than reality.


Conclusion:

      1. No circumstance in life but what the devil comes, tries to defeat man.
      2. The devil can be defeated (I Jn. 2:14). Word abiding in one, in Christ.
      3. Are you able to turn the devil away when he comes to you?

CHART FOLLOWS:

Luke 8:12

"Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." (NKJV)



Luke 8:12

"And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved." (ASV)



Luke 8:12

"Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved." (KJV)



THE DEVIL COMES IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE, NONE EXCLUDED (NOT EVEN IN WORSHIP)