Discussion Starters:
What was your favorite childhood candy?
What is your favorite candy now?
How Can I Resist Evil?
Where does evil come from?
Triple alliance:
- World—the enemy around
- Flesh—the enemy within
- Devil—the enemy above
1. Why should we believe that the devil exists? (Romans 12:21)
Scripture: The Bible presents a personal, spiritual being in active rebellion against God.
- Old Testament (Isaiah 14; Job 1; 1 Chronicles 21:1)
- Jesus (Luke 10:17–20)
- Peter (1 Peter 5:8–11)
- Paul (Ephesians 6:11–12)
Tradition: Christians down through the ages have believed.
Reason: It makes sense of the world we see around us.
- Why do bad things happen?
Avoid two extremes: disbelief vs unhealthy, excessive interest
2. What are the devil’s tactics? (Genesis 3)
The devil wants to destroy our lives. (John 10:10)
- Doubt (Genesis 3:1, Matthew 4:3)
- Temptation (Genesis 2:16–17)
- Deception (Genesis 3:4)
- Condemnation creates doubt
Romans 8:1
“there is... no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
3. What is our position? (Colossians 1:13)
- We are transferred from the dominion of darkness to the kingdom of Jesus.
- We experience God’s love.
- It’s a process—we won’t be complete until Jesus returns.
4. How do we defend ourselves? (Ephesians 6)
Ephesians 6:10–11
“Be strong in the Lord....Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
5. How do we attack?
- Prayer: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions....” (Ephesians 6:18)
- Action: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Discussion
- What did you think or feel about the talk?
- Why do you think bad things happen?
- Where does temptation come from?
- How do you resist temptation?
Recommended Reading
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Café Theology by Michael Lloyd
