This week, I spent some time looking at the places in Scripture that speak about our enemy, satan, and his tactics of confusion and how we can deal with the confusing tricks he uses.
Remember that we live in a spiritual war, not a physical one. So when things in the midst of this pandemic are confusing and the senseless violence that is rocking our nation from all sides, let's not lose sight that the enemy is sowing the seeds of utter confusion in the lives of the broken in our country.
This is a SPIRITUAL WAR!
The World in the Hands of the Liar
Deception & Wickedness Personified
John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
The World Lies in his power
1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
He schemes and this is a Spiritual Battle, not physical
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
The enemy sows weeds (sons of evil one) among the World
Matthew 13:37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
He is a thief fighting against salvation
Luke 8:12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil
comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
He desires 3 kinds of fruit against us – robbery, death, & destruction of real life
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
He sets a snare to capture people to do his will
2 Timothy 2:25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
He is loud and desires to devour
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
A thief in regard to the seed of the Word
Mark 4:15 And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.
He demands to sift and get us to doubt
Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Aims that our heart filled with lies
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
He aims for the world to be in darkness and in his power
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place along those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
He aims at outwitting and hiding his plans
2 Corinthians 2:10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
He disguises Himself as a Angel of Light
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
He had enough power to hinder Paul’s travels
1 Thessalonians 2:18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
He is the ancient Deciever
Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Caution to Sober and Awake, not to be Deceived
1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning.
James 1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Matthew 24:42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
Mark 13:33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.
Mark 13:37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.
Luke 21:36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Steps to Deal with him
Ephesians 4:26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.
Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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