GUARD YOURSELF FROM THE WICKED ONE

1. "We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God KEEPS [guards] HIMSELF, AND THE WICKED ONE DOES NOT TOUCH HIM.
2. We know that we are of God, AND THE WHOLE WORLD 🌍 LIES UNDER THE SWAY OF THE WICKED ONE."
   1 John 5:18,19 (NKJV)

• The above Bible passage says the whole world lies under the sway, influence, of the wicked one.

• The wicked one mentioned in the passage is the devil. In other words, the whole world is under the influence of the devil.
• The Bible also refers to him, the devil, as the god of this world or age (2 Corinthians 4:4).

• Those who have not received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour are under the sway, the influence, of the devil 😈—they cannot but behave in the way they do. They live in disobedience to God and His Word.

• Also, believers who are not living their lives in line with the Word of God are under the sway, the influence, of the wicked one—the devil.
• The prince of the power of the air, demonic prince, works in everyone who lives in disobedience to God and His Word—believers and unbelievers alike.

1. "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2. in which you once walked according to the course of this world, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, THE SPIRIT WHO NOW WORKS IN THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE,
3. among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others."
   Ephesians 2:1-3 (NKJV)

• The prince of the power of the air influences people in general, to live in rebellion to God's commands (Ephesians 2:2).

• This spirit works in the life of everyone who has not acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
• Not only that, those who claim to have acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Saviour, who are not living in line with the Word of God, are also influenced by the spirit—the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 4:17,18).

• The Spirit, the prince of the power of the air, influences people to fulfill desires of the flesh and mind (Ephesians 2:3).

• Desires to live in sin, to rebel against God, are already in our flesh and mind (Ephesians 4:22, 23). The prince of the power of the air helps whoever would yield to him: to obey, do, or fulfil the desires of the flesh and mind (Romans 6:12).
• If a believer fell into a sin, it is not the devil that made him commit the sin per se; the desire for the sin was already in his flesh and mind. The devil only gave the support or accommodated him—encouraged him to commit the sin.
  "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by HIS OWN DESIRES AND ENTICED."
  James 1:14 (NKJV)

• There is a need for every believer to be watchful, be circumspect, and walk in the light of God's Word (Ephesians 4:20-24; 1 Peter 5:8,9).

• If believers are not walking in the light of God's Word that they know; they are indirectly, unwittingly, giving the prince of the power of the air, the devil, an opportunity to operate in their lives—the spirit works in the sons and daughters of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2; 4:27).
• The only way to protect yourself from being influenced by the devil, the power of the air, is to abstain from sin—when you live in line with the Word of God (Psalm 119:11; 1Thessalonians 5:22).
  "We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God KEEPS himself, and the wicked one does not TOUCH him."
  1 John 5:18 (NKJV)
• You keep or guard yourself that the wicked one may not touch you, by living in line with the Word of God—you do away with sin.

• You tame your flesh and its desires.
"Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."
James 1:15 (NKJV)

• Desires for sin start in the flesh and mind, not the devil per se. Therefore, every believer has a responsibility to control their desires—you do not give to your flesh everything it demands for.

• You will not fail in Jesus name.
Peace!