Asked Quote by Rick Lawrence
““HAS ASKED …” (Jesus in Conversation with the Enemy) Take heed to yourselves because the tempter will make his first and sharpest assault on you. If you will be leaders against him, he will not spare you. He bears the greatest malice against the man who is engaged in working the greatest damage against him. —Richard Baxter, seventeenth-century English Puritan church leader, poet, hymn writer, and theologian””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Nature of Temptation, Richard Baxter, 1650s
The quote warns that the devil’s initial attack is the most intense, especially against those who oppose him, and that he targets those who cause him greatest harm.
In simple terms: The devil attacks hardest at first, especially against him who fight him.
Key Takeaway
Stay vigilant against early attacks.
Themes
temptation
spiritual warfare
leadership
Mood
cautious
serious
Type
theological
warning
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- church leadership
- ethical decision making
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
sin
malice
resistance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize early spiritual attacks?
- What strategies help you resist temptation?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a literal belief in a personal devil, which may not resonate with all audiences.
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