Based on “What Satan Doesn’t Want You to Know” by Mark Balmer; 11/7-8/09,
Message #MB395; Daily Devotional #4 - “The Flesh Profits Nothing”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Are you busy trying to make something happen because you aren’t happy with your present circumstance? The economy is very hard right now and many people are without jobs. There are a lot of people who are depressed and down on life. There are a lot of unhappy marriages and relationships. What is your present circumstance?
Maybe you desire a new job, a move, an education, or a relationship. Are you are so focused on changing your present circumstance that you have begun to feel distant from God’s presence? You haven’t consulted God because you just don’t want to be patient, you want the desires and needs right now. There is a path before each person that seems right, but ends in death (Psalm 16:25, NLT).
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Satan knows that the flesh profits nothing, and the more time you spend running on your own strength instead of God’s will, the more you will become frustrated and vulnerable. The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6:63, NLT). Satan wants us to continue our everyday living in our own strength, which will cause us to grow weary.
We then become vulnerable to bending the Truth just a little bit here and there. We will walk through each day without being filled with the Spirit. Instead, we will be frustrated by our flesh. You may seem happy temporarily satisfying your own desires and following your own plans, but if they are not God’s will for you, you will not have peace. Satan doesn’t want you to know that you can have that peace if you just wait patiently and obediently on God. Satan wants you to continue with your desires, but the Word of God tells us to prepare for battle.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. (Ephesians 6:13-16, NLT)
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): God’s Word reveals to us that our pride keeps us foolish. Stop fooling yourselves. Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. (I Corinthians 3:18, NLT). If you are moving forward with your desires and plans, but you don’t have peace, filter them through God’s Word. Even if you don’t feel that God is answering you, don’t continue in your own wisdom.
Instead, consult and filter your thoughts and actions through God’s Word. Are your plans consistent with the Truth? Satan hopes you will just continue to do what you “feel” is the right thing to do, not what the Word tells us. Take a step of faith and rely on what the Word says, not your “desires of the flesh,” and see what peace you will feel.
Cultivating (Additional Reading: I Corinthians 1:18-25 NLT
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