by: Jonathan Painter
There is no doubt in my mind as I watch this old wicked world that we as Christians are dealing with an aggressive Devil. Satan is up in arms, he is aggressive, especially against our young people. He is aggressive on the radio and he attacks our ears with aggressive and filthy music. He is aggressive on the television and attacks our eyes with aggressive and sensual programs. Every front to which I turn in this fight I see that we are dealing with an aggressive opponent. How do I know he is aggressive? The Bible states in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” God described Satan as a lion. A lion is an aggressive and dangerous animal. Satan is dangerous and aggressive.
As Christian young people, we are not supposed to just sit and allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by Satan’s aggressive agenda. There are two things that we can do that will help us cope with Satan’s aggression in our life.
Resist the Aggression – James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The Bible plainly states that we are to resist the aggression of Satan. The best word you could ever learn to use at the proper time in your teenage years is NO. NO, I won’t take drugs! NO, I won’t drink alcohol! NO, I won’t smoke tobacco! NO, I won’t listen to that or watch that! Young person, learn to say, NO. I fear that we are more afraid of hurting our “friends” feelings then we are about resisting aggression from Satan.
It is undoubtedly easy to say that we will resist the Devil, but to do it is another matter. The execution of resistance will only come through by having a close and personal walk with God. Spend time in God’s Word, spend time in prayer! All too often we forget about the weapons of resistance we have. Another great weapon in our hand, that is so often overlooked, is Scripture memory. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11) Memorize verses that will help you resist the aggression of Satan. For example, if you are having problems with looking at things which you should not, memorize Psalms 101:3, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Find verses that help with the aggression you are facing, memorize them, and use them to resist the aggression of Satan.
Return the Aggression – “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23) Did you know that you can be aggressive back? Satan is being aggressive towards you, but you can turn the tables on him and make him play defense. Here’s how you do it! Take your soul winners New Testament, a stack of Gospel tracts, and go out and win souls to Christ! Don’t stop there though, continue pounding his defense by going out and bringing one of your converts to church, walking them down an aisle, watching them follow the Lord in baptism, and then help them grow. You will have Satan fit to be tied! He can’t stand it when people are kept out of Hell, and he can’t stand it when good godly teenagers reproduce themselves.
This is how to deal with Satan’s Aggression
Jonathan Painter
Youth Pastor
Lincoln Baptist Church
Lincoln, Nebraska