The Limits Are On

Scripture:
 Ephesians 6:10-12 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Introduction:
 A. We are engaged in conflict.
 B. We are encouraged to be strong in the Lord because of this conflict.
 C. Spiritual hosts of wickedness may come against us, but we can be victorious.
 D. Satan’s power is limited but God’s power is supreme.

I. God limits the enemy when he comes against us. (Think of Job)
 Job 1:6-12 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” 8Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 9So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
 A. Satan must give an account to God.
 B. Satan recognizes the limits of the hedge.
 C. Satan recognized the blessing of God on Job’s life.
D. Satan had to respect the limits placed upon him by God. (Do not lay a hand on his person)
 E. God is in control when the hedge is up and when it is removed.

II. God limits the temptations that Satan can bring against us.
 I Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
 A. Everyone is tempted in one way or another.
 B. Temptation is not sin. It only becomes sin when we yield to it.
 C. The temptation is not unique. Others have faced the same thing and overcome it.
 D. God only allows temptation in our lives that we are able to bear.
1. If we have put on the armor of God, we have the equipment to withstand the temptation even though we may feel like it’s more than we can bear.
2. God knows our bearable limit.
E. The escape Paul speaks of is not an escape from temptations, but an escape into God.

III. Because of the limits Satan knows when he is defeated.
 James 4:7-8 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
 A. Our responsibility in the defeat of Satan is submission to God.
 B. As we draw near to God, His presence becomes tangible in our lives.

IV. Satan’s limited power is overcome by the power of God working in our lives.
 Luke 10:19-20 “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
A. The authority over demonic forces comes from God alone.
 B. This is no “big deal”, therefore we rejoice over our names being written in heaven.
 C. Having power over the enemy ought to be a normal part of the Christian lifestyle.
 D. Satan is to be bruised under the feet of the Church.
  Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.”