Never Let the Devil Have the Last Word In Your Life
* **Icebreaker:** What is a favorite underdog story from a book, movie, or sports history that always gets you cheering?
* In 1st Samuel 17, Brother Blake points out that Goliath held the entire army of Israel at bay for 40 days using only his words and intimidation, without actually fighting anyone. Why do you think the Israelites accepted Goliath’s words as absolute facts so easily?
* How did David’s reaction to Goliath's words differ from the rest of the army's reaction? What does this tell us about how David viewed God's authority compared to how the rest of the army did?
* Brother Blake warns that the devil tries to talk us out of our victory and blessings by filling our minds with fear, anxiety, or feelings of inadequacy. In what areas of your life—such as your thoughts, your family, or your future—do you find yourself most tempted to passively accept these intimidating "words" or lies?
---
**Moment of Silent Reflection**
*Take a moment of silence to read and reflect on James 4:7:*
> *"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."*
*During this silence, consider what it looks like to actively "submit" and "resist" in your current circumstances.*
---
* Brother Blake notes that Christians often say, "We just need to pray about it," as a way to avoid actively resisting or fighting back. How can we balance contemplative prayer with the active, faithful "pushing back" and speaking of God's promises that Brother Blake describes?
* How might God be inviting you this week to stop letting the devil have the last word in your life? What is one specific, concrete promise from God's Word that you can actively speak over your situation to push back against fear or discouragement?