“To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:10-11).
Love is the real secret of our success. That’s why Satan is working furiously day in, day out to deceive and pressure us into stepping out of love. He is constantly sending situations our way to tempt us to stop yielding to love and to yield to the “enemies of love.”
It’s vitally important that we not be ignorant of the devil’s devices, because when we’re ignorant or unaware, we’re more likely to fall prey to them.
It is important for us to study the Word to know what love is and what it is not. We need to study the enemies of love so that when the devil tempts us with them, we can quickly recognize his strategies and say, “No, devil! I refuse to do that. It’s unloving, and I choose to walk in love!”
Some people don’t realize that resisting temptation is that simple. (Notice, I didn’t say easy. I said simple.) But it is! Temptation is nothing more than a solicitation to do evil. In times of temptation, the devil comes to you like a solicitor or a salesman and makes you a presentation.
He brings an influence into your life and puts an opportunity in front of you to sin. One reason we fail to reject the devil’s solicitations at times is because we don’t recognize temptation for what it is. We buy the devil’s line before we even realize he’s selling something to us.
So we have to learn his devices.
The enemies of love are things such as envy, which the dictionary defines as “a feeling of discontent and ill will because of another’s advantages, possessions or success.” Jealousy, which is a little stronger than envy, is also an enemy of love. To be jealous is to be “suspicious, apprehensive of rivalry, or resentfully envious.” Proverbs 6:34 says, “Jealousy is the rage of a man.”
Pride, too, is listed in 1 Corinthians 13 as an enemy of love. It is an overly high opinion of one’s self, exaggerated self-esteem, or conceit – and it shows itself through haughty or arrogant behavior. Pride is something we have to watch for in our lives. The moment we start to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, we need to humble ourselves before God and repent of pride.
Other enemies of love include bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness. Those three things are among the biggest obstacles to walking in love, especially among people who have truly been hurt or abused.
Examine your heart. Listen to your mouth. Are you walking in love, or in the enemies of love? Love is the real secret to your success in relationships, on the job, in your marriage, everywhere. Make a quality decision today: I will walk in love!
Speak the Word: I am not ignorant of Satan’s devices. I determine to walk in love and refuse to allow him to take advantage of me. (2 Cor. 2:10-11)
For Further Study: Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
Daily Scripture Reading: Numbers 31:25-54, 32; John 15
Eagle Mountain International Church, Inc.
aka: Kenneth Copeland Ministries
For the last 50 years Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have been passionately teaching Christians all over the world how to apply the principles of faith found in God's WORD to their lives.
They have seven ministry offices around the world: United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Ukraine and Latin America. Their God-given directive is to preach and teach the uncompromised WORD of God on every available voice, which is being accomplished through a variety of channels, including our Believer's Voice of Victory TV and radio broadcasts, podcast and magazine; Believers' Conventions, Victory Campaigns and Living Victory meetings; published books, website, and social media channels, to name a few.
With the expansion of technology, they have more work to do now than ever. They are determined to let the world know Jesus is LORD, and they are not slowing down anytime soon!
Website: https://www.kcm.org