Rooted: What’s the Enemy’s Strategy?
February 23, 2025
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The question we’re unpacking today is: Do you know the enemy’s strategy?
The devil is real, and he is our enemy:
His goal is .
His strategy is .
John 8:44 (NLT)
For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
My Notes:
1 John 1:5-10 (NLT)
This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
comes with to God.
My Notes:
James 5:16 (NLT)
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
comes with to others.
My Notes:
1 John 1:7 (NLT)
But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
My Notes:
We don’t have to go looking for – it’ll come to us.
If we don’t break our strongholds, our strongholds will break us.
Every time we sin, we make a choice: up, or up.
My Notes:
What are the rocks in your backpack?
The person who is alone in their sins is utterly alone.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
My Notes:
Your story is unique…but your struggle is common.
James 5:16 (NLT)
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Galatians 6:1 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
It’s time to the rocks.
My Notes:
Ezekiel 36:26 (NLT)
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
What do you need to confess?
- Bitterness
- Control
- Violence
- Anger
- Revenge
- Hatred
- Worry
- Manipulation
- Pride
- Vanity
- Selfishness
- Belittling Others
- Fear
- Deceit
- Lying
- Slander
- Gossip
- Rationalizing
- Rejection
- Insecurity
- Pleasing People
- False Teaching
- False Religion
- Sexual Immorality
- Lust
- Seduction
- Adultery
- Pornography
- Jealousy
- Spite
- Judgmentalism
- Despair
- Self-pity
- Self-harm
- Drug/alcohol/tobacco misuse
- Idolatry
- Materialism
- Greed
- Dissension
- Divisiveness
- Spiritual Pride
Who will you confess to? A trusted other
When will you confess? As soon as possible
Why will you confess? To find freedom and healing
How will you confess? Honestly
What rocks do you need to unload?
Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
God, if we don’t reveal it, we can’t expect you to heal it.
Grant us courage. We know this is the first step:
You accept us in our mess – you love us as we are – but you also desire to lead us to a better, fuller life. Help us to hate our sin as you do. Allow us to break free from its bondage, to experience all you have for us.
If others confess to us – give us wisdom to help, but mostly, give us love to share.
My Notes:
Help Everyone Find & Follow Jesus