In C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, Uncle Screwtape offers his nephew a little advice on the goal and strategy of temptation. <br /><br />You will say that these are very small sins; and doubtless, like all young tempters, you are anxious to be able to report spectacular wickedness. But do remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which you separate the man from the Enemy. <br /><br />It does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. <br /><br />Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one-the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.<br />Your affectionate uncle<br />Screwtape'<br /><br />I. Contact With Demons Exposition: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22<br />A. Historical/Cultural Background. The going taboo in Paul's day was eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. This practice posed three problems.<br />1. The sacrificial dinner. This posed a problem for the Christian who was invited to this event where meat was served that had just been sacrificed to idols.<br />2. The meat market. This involved the question for the Christian regarding whether or not he should buy meat in the marketplace that had earlier been sacrificed to idols.<br />3. The private dinner party. The Christian who was invited to this event held by an unbelieving Gentile had to make the decision as to whether or not he would eat in this particular situation.<br /><br />B. Practical Principles<br />1. A PERILOUS ACTIVITY MAY APPEAR SAFE INITIALLY 1 Corinthians 10:19-20. What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. (NKJV)<br /><br />2. PARTICIPATION BRINGS CONTAMINATION 1 Corinthians 10:20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. (NKJV)<br /><br />3. CONTACT WITH DEMONS BREAKS COMMUNION WITH CHRIST 1 Corinthians 10:21-22 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's Table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? (NKJV)<br /><br />For many believers, the danger that spiritual forces pose to our everyday walk is almost ignored. The clear teaching of Scripture in Ephesians 4 that “ground” can be given for demonic influence in our lives is not heeded. One way to consider demos is to say we need to avoid their entrance into any part of our lives, and never allow them to start exerting any hold on us. First consider what Paul says in Ephesians 4:26-27 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. (NKJV)<br /><br />• Ground. The demons need a ground of entrance to get into our lives. "Ground" has been defined as "anything that gives the advantage to Satan." Examples of "ground" that give an opportunity for the devil and demons to enter are uncontrolled anger, disobedience, religious fanaticism, false cults, lust, sensuality, etc. According to Mrs. Penn Lewis, in her book War on the Saints, “This ground needs to be discovered, confessed to God as sin, and then canceled in the name of Jesus Christ.”<br />• Hold. Once a demon gains entrance, it must maintain a "hold" within the person. It is not always the same in every person. In King Saul's case, his open disobedience to the Word opened the way for a demon to enter his life. The demon's hold on him was depression and serious anxieties connected with murderous thoughts.<br /><br />WHAT ARE DEMONS LIKE?<br />(GEN-36; 960811AM)<br /><br />Join the LAND OF THE BOOK channel to access weekly video releases over the next year totaling 50+ EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS featuring weekly in-depth Bible Study lessons with John & Bonnie. Clips are taken at just one of the places where we are taking our virtual journey through all the Lands of the Bible & Great Museums of the Bible on the Paul's Life & Letters Course. 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