By Andrew Williams
Opening Prayer:
Lord, give us wisdom to see how the enemies of our souls work together, so we can be prepared and stand firm against their schemes.
Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 2:2-3(NLT)
“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil… All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature.”
We’ve spent the week identifying our three opponents: the world, the flesh, and the devil. But it’s crucial to understand that they don’t operate independently. They work in a strategic, unholy alliance to pull us away from God. Our scripture for this week shows this partnership in action.
Here’s how it often works: The devil (the strategist) whispers a lie or a temptation. He then uses the world (the system) to make that temptation look normal, attractive, and desirable. The culture billboards the lie. Finally, that temptation appeals directly to the desires of our flesh (the internal traitor), which craves what is being offered.
Think about it in practical terms. The devil whispers the lie that your value comes from your appearance. The world system (social media, advertising) then bombards you with images of “perfect” bodies and promises that you’ll be happy if you just look like that. This then awakens the desire in your flesh for approval and validation, leading you down a path of comparison and insecurity. See how they work together? Recognizing this pattern is key to dismantling it.
Disciple’s Life Tip:
Think about a specific, recurring struggle in your life. Try to map out how the three fronts might be working together. Ask: What’s the lie the enemy is telling me? How is the world making that lie look attractive? What desire in my flesh is responding to it?
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for unmasking the strategies used against us. Help us to see the pattern and to find our escape and our victory in Jesus. Amen.
