Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Corinthians 2:11
2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Give Satan No Advantage—
In the conflict with satanic agencies there are decisive moments that determine the victory either on the side of God or on the side of the prince of this world. If those engaged in the warfare are not wide awake, earnest, vigilant, praying for wisdom, watching unto prayer, ... Satan comes off victor, when he might have been vanquished by the armies of the Lord.... God’s faithful sentinels are to give the evil powers no advantage.... {6BC 1094.2}
We have unseen foes to meet, evil men are agents for the powers of darkness to work through, and without spiritual discernment the soul will be ignorant of Satan’s devices, and be ensnared and stumble and fall. He who would overcome must hold fast to Christ. He must not look back, but keep the eye ever upward. Mount up by the Mediator, keeping hold of the Mediator, reaching upward to one line of work after another, making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. {6BC 1094.3}
There is no such thing as our entering the heavenly portals through indulgence and folly, amusement, selfishness, but only by constant watchfulness and unceasing prayer. Spiritual vigilance on our part individually is the price of safety. Swerve not to Satan’s side a single inch, lest he gain advantage over you (Letter 47, 1893). {6BC 1094.4}
Satan utilizes many devices in his arsenal. Primarily it is to separate us from God. He tempts us into sin. If we are not watching and praying, he will catch us in his snare, have us, and sift us as wheat. His other device is to separate us from each other. A house divided against itself cannot stand. As Paul writes his letter to the Church at Corinth, he speaks to them about forgiveness. We ought to forgive each other, even as Christ Jesus has forgiven us. We are not to cause grief or sorrow, as we forgive one another; we show our love one to another. If we fail to forgive, Satan has gained the victory. Satan does not work alone; he has demons and evil people doing his bidding for him. He comes smoothly to his unsuspecting victims. He is watching us, waiting for us to take our eyes off Jesus to gain the advantage. Given one inch, Satan will take a foot. Let us not be ignorant of his devices, lest Satan get an advantage of us. Trust and believe in God to give you power to overcome, even as He also overcame. The heavenly crown awaits to sit on the head of God’s faithful saints, who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Christ Jesus.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We humbly come into Your presence in thanksgiving and prayer. We thank You for being with us, watching over us, protecting us, and keeping us safe. We are in a constant battle with Satan, his demons, and all the evil people through he works. He is crafty in his approach to catch unsuspecting victims off guard. We pray for Your protection. We pray for You to keep a hedge of Your Holy Angels round about us, and that You gather us up under Your wings while the roaring lion prowls about seeking whom he may devour. You are our shelter, our fortress, our shield and buckler. We pray for the continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us and keep us on a safe path. We pray for wisdom, understanding, and discernment to do what is right, favorable, and well pleasing in Your sight. We pray to overcome the evils and temptations of this world, even as You also overcame, that we would sin no more. We pray to honor and glorify Your name. Satan uses many devices against us in the Great Controversy between good and evil and he will not give up. Every day his camp is out working. We pray that You give us all the tenacity needed to turn back Satan’s relentless attacks. Satan is out to divide us all and separate us from You. We pray for Your people not to be ignorant of his devices lest he gain an advantage over us. We pray for all Your people to exercise the power of forgiveness to forgive one another, even as You have forgiven us. We pray that no one can pluck us out of Your strong hand, and what You have joined together, let not man put asunder. Let us all keep the commandments of God and the faith of Christ Jesus. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
