It is important to know the devices of our enemy, the Devil. Otherwise he is likely to take advantage of us.We should know that he is a liar, and has been from the beginning. In fact, he is the father of lies (John 8:44). He lied to Eve by misrepresenting God, and he has been doing it ever since.He is a deceiver (Revelation 20:10). He mixes a little truth with error. He imitates or counterfeits everything that is of Cod. He poses as an angel of light and sends out his messengers as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14-15). He deceives by using great signs and lying wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). He corrupts the minds of people (2 Corinthians 11:3).Satan is a murderous destroyer (John 8:44<a href="javascript:%7B%7D" style="text-decoration:underline ;">; </a>John 10:10). His goal and the goal of all his demons is to destroy. There is no exception to that statement. As a raging lion, he goes about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He persecutes God's people (Revelation 2:10) and destroys his own slaves through drugs, demon-ism, alcohol, immorality and related vices.He is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). The word "devil" (Gr. diabolos) means accuser or slanderer, and as his name is, so is he. All those who slander the brethren are doing the devil's work.He sows discouragement. Paul warned the Corinthians that if they did not forgive the repentant backslider, Satan might gain an advantage by plunging the brother into extreme discouragement (2 Corinthians 2:7-11).Just as Satan, speaking through Peter, sought to dissuade Jesus from going to the Cross (Mark 8:31-33), so he encourages Christians to spare themselves from the shame and suffering of crossbearing.A favorite ploy of the Wicked One is to divide and conquer. He seeks to sow strife and discord among the saints, knowing that "a house divided against itself cannot stand." Sad to say, he has been all too successful in this strategy.He blinds the minds of unbelievers lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ should shine unto them and they should be saved (2 Corinthians 4:4). He blinds them by amusements, false religion, procrastination and pride. He occupies them with feelings rather than facts, and with themselves rather than Christ.Finally, Satan attacks right after great spiritual victories or mountaintop experiences, when the danger of pride is greatest. He looks for a weak spot in our armor, and shoots straight for it.The best defense against the Devil is to live in unclouded fellowship with the Lord, covered by the protective gear of a holy character.

With reverence, humor and skill, William MacDonald wove a daily devotional tapestry that challenges the reader to think deeply and Biblically, and apply God's Word to their lives.

Truths to Live By - One Day at a Time

"…we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11)

<h3>Jesus Predicts His Death </h3> 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.

Mark 8:31

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man<cr>1</cr> must suffer many things<cr>2</cr> and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,<cr>3</cr> and that he must be killed<cr>4</cr> and after three days<cr>5</cr> rise again.<cr>6</cr>

 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man   must suffer many things   and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,   and that he must be killed   and after three days   rise again.  

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man  must suffer many things  and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,  and that he must be killed  and after three days  rise again. 

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.

 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man   must suffer many things   and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,   and that he must be killed   and after three days   rise again.  

Bible Verse of the Day

February 12, 2025

Mark 8:31 NIV

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