DEVICES OF SATAN
Introduction:
1. 2 Cor. 2:11 -- "that no advantage may be gained over us by
Satan, for we are not ignorant of his devices."
2. The word of God refers to Satan in many different ways and by
many different names, each being very significant:
(1) Matt. 7:15 -- "false prophet...ravening wolves."
(2) 2 Cor. 11:3 -- "serpent beguiled Eve..."
(3) Eph. 2:2 -- "prince of the power of the air...etc."
3. Eph. 6:11 -- We must put on the whole armor of God to be able
to stand against the wiles of the Devil.
4. The Devil -- arch enemy of God and of man.
5. Rev. 12:17 -- "...make war with the rest of her seed..."
6. Text describes Satan as having DEVICES.
I. SOME OF SATAN'S DEVICES:
1. Tempts man to do evil:
Gen. 3:1ff; Matt. 4:3ff; Jas. 1:12ff.
God does not tempt man with evil, he does allow man to be
tried. Temptation comes from Satan. Cf. Job.
2. Deceives with lies:
Gen. 3:1 -- "Thou shall NOT die..."
John 8:44 -- "No truth in him...."
Acts 5:3 -- Satan filled Ananias heart to lie.
2 Thess. 2:8 -- Lying wonders
He would tell you that a few sins, small ones are alright
There are so many lies that many have accepted.
3. Murderer:
Gen. 4:1 -- Cain killed his brother Able 1 John 3:12
John 8:44 -- a murderer from the beginning
Matt. 5:21, 22 -- Can commit murder in the heart.
Thus, how careful we must be in controlling our minds.
4. Adversary to God and Man:
Zech. 3:1 -- "....and Satan standing at his right hand to be
his adversary."
Job 1:9ff --Satan became Job's adversary.
Eph. 6:11 -- Put on whole armor....stand against wiles of the
Devil.
1 Peter 5:8-9 -- your adversary the devil as a.....
Rev. 12:10 -- the accuser of our brethren....
5. Causes Wars:
Rev. 13:7 -- to make war with the saints...
All wars are the direct result of sin and the work of the
Devil.
Were it not for sin and iniquity, there would be no war nor
conflicts among men.
6. Wrests and Corrupts God's Word:
Matt. 4:6 -- misapplied, thus changed the meaning of the
Scriptures.
2 Peter 3:16 -- wrest the scriptures unto own destruction...
The Devil has always used the Scriptures, but he has used
them to teach error and lies.
Satan tells you that the Scriptures contradict themselves;
but, such is not true.
How often today do we hear men quote from the Scriptures,
only to misapply them; to misuse them.
Satan would change the church of our Lord from a soul saving
institution, into a body satisfying organization. "Eat,
drink, and be merry" is the cry of the day.
7. Hinders Man's salvation when possible:
Luke 8:12 -- Devil takes away the seed. And, where there is
no seed, there is no Word. And, where there is no Word,
there is no faith -- Rom 10:17. And, where faith is
absent there can be no worship or service pleasing unto
Jehovah. Regardless of how honest or sincere one might
be.
Acts 13:6 -- false prophet spoke against Paul, seeking to
thwart the gospel and its power.
2 Cor. 4:4 -- "god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the
gospel should shine upon them."
II. WHAT IS MAN'S OBLIGATION TOWARD SATAN???
1. Resist him:
Eph. 6:11 -- stand against wiles of devil
1 Peter 5:8-9 -- He can be resisted.
Jas. 4:7 -- When resisted, he will flee....
Yes, we are tempted; often daily, but, we can successfully
reject his onslaughts; his advances against us.
2. Watch and avoid his snares and traps:
1 Tim. 3:7 -- Deacon must be one who does not fall into the
snare of the devil. So we all must so act.
2 Tim. 2:26 -- "that they may recover themselves out of the
snare of the devil
His traps, his snares are everywhere about us. We must ever
be alert to these dangers. And, often they are daily. He
ever lurks in the shadow of our lives, seeking to bring
us down. The flesh is so weak; it is so inviting;
1 Cor. 9:27 -- Paul had to buffet himself constantly. SO MUST
WE. Never let your guard down.
Cf. Has a mosquito ever attacked you? When you shoo them
away, do they just go away? Oh, no, they are unmerciful.
They keep coming and keep coming, SO IT IS WITH SATAN. He
is relentless, constant; never gives up.
3. Must flee to Christ for refuge and deliverance:
Jesus, the rock of our salvation.
In Him is salvation and in none other. Acts 4:12
Conclusion:
1. Christ came to destroy the works of Satan. Heb. 2:14; 1 Jn.3:8
2. We must constantly be award of his devices.
3. Rom. 6:23 -- wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God
4. Rev 20:10 -- Look where satan ends up, and those with him.
5. Obey Christ, escape the devices of Satan
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