Title: Your Greatest Enemy
Memorize: But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Nkjv)
[24] Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
[25] And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
[26] Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
[27] But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
Message:
Many people think that their biggest enemy is the devil. On the contrary, a fellow’s biggest enemy is himself or herself through the fellow’s flesh.
Consider Samson’s life; he took down an entire city singlehandedly but could not conquer himself (his flesh).
He was so powerful that cities feared him, but on a woman’s lap, he was the weakest of men.
Even a little child knows better than to touch a piece of hot iron that has burned him or her before.
In Samson’s case, however, he told Delilah a lie about the source of his power twice and awoke to find that she had used the information against him, yet he did not stay away from her.
He ended up telling her the truth and was made to grind corn for the same enemies that used to fear him (Judges 16:6-21).
You may say that Samson was a fool, but I want you to examine yourself deeply. Have you been staying away from any sins that easily entice you?
When a child of God is fervent in his or her walk with God, the devil will begin to search for his or her weakness.
The moment he finds any, he will try to use them as weapons to make that fellow destroy himself or herself.
My dear child, you must destroy any weakness before the devil uses it against you.
Action Point:
Examine yourself deeply and write down any sins that entice you easily. Pray to God to help you overcome them.
HYMN 55: CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE
1 Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose;
Hear Thy Guardian Angel Say,
“Thou Art In The Midst Of Foes:
Watch And Pray!”
2 Principalities And Powers,
Mustering Their Unseen Array,
Wait For Thy Unguarded Hours:
“Watch And Pray.”
3 Gird Thy Heavenly Armour On;
Wear It Every Night And Day
Ambush’d Lies The Evil One:
“Watch And Pray.”
4 Hear The Victors Who O’ercame;
Still They Mark Each Warrior’s Way;
All With One Sweet Voice Exclaim,
“Watch And Pray!”
5 Hear, Above AlI, Hear Thy Lord,
Him Thou Lovest To Obey;
Hide Within Thy Heart His Word:
“Watch And Pra!.”
6 Watch, As If On That Alone
Hung The Issue Of The Day;
Pray, That Help May Be Sent Down:
Watch And Pray
Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 35:1-36:32 1 Timothy 5:1-25
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye