Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Conflict”
Our Bible verse for today: “Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Satan incites conflict”
As we’ve discussed in previous devotional messages on this subject, conflict originates with Satan. He was the originator of the first conflict (when he rebelled against God), and he is the father of all conflict since then. It’s important for us to know this about him and to keep it in mind. Otherwise he will use our ignorance and inattention against us.
As my old friend Greg Sumii explained in his book, “The Christian’s Handbook on Conflict Resolution”, since Satan is our avowed enemy it’s important for us to know his true nature. The Bible tells us that his true nature is “tempter” (Matthew 4:3); “deceiver” (Revelation 12:10); “accuser” (Revelation 12:9); “liar” (John 8:44); “confuser” (1 Corinthians 14:33); “oppressor” (Acts 10:38); and “thief” (John 10:10); just to name a few. Oh, and he is a vicious lion looking to devour unsuspecting Christians (1 Peter 5:8).
We also need to remain conscious of the fact that Satan has a mission field – and we’re it! Satan’s mission field is the church and individual Christians. His mission is to hurt and destroy. His strategy is to tempt Christians to be hurtful towards one another by allowing their emotions to override their spiritual maturity. Any inroads he is allowed to make in damaging a Christian witness, diluting the effect of God’s love and power, or in disrupting the unity of a church fellowship, means that he wins and we lose.
Yes, Satan is the enemy. But the good news is that he is already a defeated foe, and he can only enjoy such victory as we allow him to have. Tomorrow we will discuss some strategies for dealing with this foe.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 
I certainly have enjoyed the daily devotionals via Oak Hill Baptist Church. I have saved copies and wow…some fantastic material on the subject of Conflict, etc.. Pastor Vern Daugherty, Crossville, Tn. [vern77@charter.net]