Growth Hindrance #1
Be self-controlled, be watchful; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV.
The number one growth hinderance: the devil. A believer’s growth may be hindered or halted by three distinct enemies: the Devil, the world, and the flesh. We are warned how the Devil walks or roams about like a lion. When lions hunt, they look for weak, young, isolated, unguarded animals. They are the ones marked for attack.
The Devil’s ultimate agenda is to destroy us, not merely to hurt, maim, or discourage, but to devour and destroy us. He does that when he gets us to bow to circumstances, pressures, or forces of evil design, hoping thereby to make us yield to him.
To win the victory, due the opposite: B.O.W. to Jesus, the One you Believe, Obey, and Worship. He overcame, refusing to bow to Satan’s devices (Matt. 4:8-10), and our growth in Him will bring the same ability to resist or stand against the Devil (1 Pet. 5:9).
Put on the full armor of God: be armed with the Word of God (Eph.6:10-14), believe Him (Heb. 11:6), obey Him (1 John 3:24), and worship Him (John 4:23). Receive Jesus’ overcoming victory!
Tomorrow: Growth hindrance #2 The World.