“Finally, BE STRONG in the Lord and in the STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to STAND against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND FIRM. STAND therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”  Ephesians 6:10-14

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.”  Genesis 3:1-7  POST-TRUTH: Objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. (Oxford Word of the Year, 2016)  EXPRESSIVE INDIVIDUALISM: “Each of us finds our meaning by giving expression to our own feelings and desires (culture of authenticity). This entails the understanding that it is important to find and live out one’s own life as against surrendering to conformity with a model that is imposed on us from outside, by society, or the previous generation, or religious or political authority.”  Charles Taylor, A Secular Age, pg. 475

 The Devil’s Playbook:

1. Questions the goodness/truthfulness of God (Genesis 3:1-4).

 Westminster Larger Catechism: Question 7

Q: What is God?A: God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection, all sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, present everywhere, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and

ABUNDANT IN GOODNESS AND TRUTH.

We combat the attacks of the devil by rejoicing in the glory and goodness of Jesus. (John 6:35, 8:12, 10:7, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”  John 10:9 2. Lies in order to dethrone the kingly and benevolent rule of the Lord (Genesis 3:5).

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  John 8:44

“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18and, having been set free from s... Speaker: Buster Brown