Bible Study
November 14, 2012HOW DOES SATAN DO IT?
Scriptural Reference: 2 Cor 4:4
4: For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers' minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.
GOD’S WORD LABELS SATAN AS THE GOD OF THIS WORLD WHO HAS THE ABILITY TO BLIND PEOPLE’S MIND TO THE TRUTH. HE DOES NOT WANT THE GOSPEL TO BECOME A REALITY IN THE MINDS OF AS MANY AS HE CAN TRICK. THE ONE TRUE GOD DOES NOT WANT PEOPLE BLINDED TO THE TRUTH. BOTH ARE BATTLING FOR YOUR ATTENTION HOWEVER LOOK AT WHAT OUR GOD WANTS: LOOK AT 2 PETER 3:9. ----
9The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.
THE GOSPELS SPELL OUT REPENTANCE AND THAT IS WHAT OUR LOVING GOD DESIRES OF EVERYONE. HE WANTS ALL HUMANITY SAVED. THOSE THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST CAN ALSO BE TRICKED BY SATAN AND HIS DEMONS. WHAT SHOULD WE AS CHRISTIANS WANT TO DO? SEE 2 TIM 2:4. ----
4 ] No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GOD OF THIS WORLD WANTS TO STEAL, KILL AND DESTROY YOU. SEE JOHN 10:10. ------
THE CHOICE OF WHO YOU ARE GOING TO SERVE SHOULD BE CUT AND DRIED. OUR MAJOR AIM IS TO PLEASE THE ONE THAT CALLS US INTO SERVICE AND THAT IS JESUS OUR LORD. THE ONE TRUE GOD WANTS THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL TO REVEAL THE TRUTH TO US. CHECK OUT 2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-7. ---
6 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of
7 However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.
THE REASON WE POSSESS THIS TREASURE IS SO THAT THE WORLD CAN SEE GOD IN US. WE CANNOT OVER EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING CONTINUALLY IN THE WORD OF GOD BECAUSE IF YOU DON’T HAVE HIS WORD WRITTEN ON YOUR HEART THEN THE ENEMY CAN COME IN AND TRICK YOU AND GET YOU TO FALL. THE WORD OF GOD IS A TRANSFORMER. ARE YOU LETTING HIM TRANSFORM YOU?
WE NEED TO KNOW HOW SATAN AND HIS DEMONS OPERATE TO TRICK MANY INTO BECOMING SLAVES OF SATAN SOMETIMES EVEN WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE. REMEMBER HE IS THE FATHER OF LIES.
JUST AS SURE AS SATAN WAS IN HEAVEN AS LUCIFER AND HAS AN EVIL ORGANIZED KINGDOM ON EARTH NOW AND THAT HE IS VERY MUCH IN OPERATION AND THOROUGHLY ORGANIZED FOR HUMANITY’S DESTRUCTION. KNOW THIS; THAT HE IS THE AUTHOR OF DARKNESS, EVIL AND DESTRUCTION ON EARTH TODAY.
THE CHURCH HAS THE TASK OF SLOWING DOWN AND STOPPING HIS WORK AND UNTIL WE GET BUSY WITH THIS ASSIGNMENT, SICKNESS, DISEASE, PREMATURE DEATH, FINANCIAL POVERTY, MARRIAGES AND LIVES WILL CONTINUALLY BE DESTROYED. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE DEVIL CAN AND DOES USE HUMAN BEINGS TO ACCOMPLISH HIS DEEDS.
SO, HOW DOES SATAN DO IT? LOOK AROUND AND YOU SEE PEOPLE WHO PROFESS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR BURDENED WITH SICKNESS, DISEASE, FINANCIAL POVERTY AND FEAR. I BELIEVE THE REASON HE CAN DO WHAT HE DOES IS BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF WHAT HE IS. WHAT IS HE CALLED AND WHY. THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO MINISTER ON TODAY.
THE BIBLE CALLS SATAN BY SEVERAL NAMES TO DESCRIBE WHAT HE DOES. HE IS CALLED THE DECEIVER, THE DESTROYER, THE RULER, AND THE ACCUSER. I WANT TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THESE DISCRIPTIVE NAMES AND LOOK AT HOW WE CAN RENDER HIM USELESS IN EACH ONE.
WITH THAT IN MIND I WANT TO LOOK AT:
1. THE TARGETS THAT SATAN AIMS AT IN YOUR LIFE.
2. THE WEAPONS HE USES TO ATTACK YOU.
3. THE PURPOSES HE WANTS TO ACHIEVE.
4. THE DEFENSES GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR YOU.
THE DECEIVER – REV 12:9 AND 2 COR 11:3
Bible Revelation 12:9 (Amplified)
9And the huge dragon was cast down and out--that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.
EVE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THIS NAME OF SATAN AS A DECEIVER BECAUSE HE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN DECEIVING HER; BUT HE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR LIFE IF YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS ACCORDING TO THE WORD.
2 Corinthians 11:3 (Amplified Bible)
3But [now] I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
KEEP IN MIND THAT JOHN AND PAUL WERE WRITING TO BELIEVERS. AND KNOWING THIS WE CAN SEE THAT HE DOES NOT ATTACK UNBELIEVERS ONLY BUT ALSO THOSE THAT BELIEVE BECAUSE THEY ARE A DANGER TO HIS KINGDOM. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO KNOW GOD’S PLAN AND HOW GOD WANTS THEM TO ENFORCE THE VICTORY OF JESUS.
AS THE DECEIVER WHAT IS SATAN’S TARGET? WHEN HE DECEIVED EVE HE WAS AIMING AT EVE’S MIND. WHY DOES HE ATTACK YOUR MIND? BECAUSE YOUR SPIRIT RELAYS GOD’S MESSAGE TO YOUR MIND AND THAT IS WHERE YOU MAKE DESCISIONS TO ACT ON WHAT YOU RECEIVED. LOOK AT EPH 4:22-24. -----
22Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion;
23And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],
YOUR MIND IS RENEWED BY THE WASHING OF THE WORD. EPH 5:26-27. --------
26So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word,
27That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].
STUDYING YOUR BIBLE IS A KEY TO PROTECTING YOUR MIND AGAINST SATAN’S ATTACK IN YOUR MIND ALONG WITH A STRONG PRAYER LIFE. UNFORTUNATELY BOTH OF THEESE ARE MISSING IN THE MINDS OF MANY CHRISTIANS. NOW EPH 4:24. -----
24And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.
WE, I REPEAT WE, WE ARE TO PUT ON THE TRUE NATURE BECAUSE WE WERE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE. WHAT IS THE WEAPON HE USES? IT’S LIES THAT YOU BELIEVE. HE WILL PUT GOD’S WORD IN DOUBT. HE DENIES GOD’S WORD AND SUBSTITUTES HIS LIES AS HE DID WITH EVE IN THE GARDEN.
HIS PURPOSE IS TO MAKE YOU IGNORANT AND TO DOUBT GOD’S WILL. APART FROM THE WORD OF GOD, WE HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF THE WILL OF GOD. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE WILL OF GOD IS THE EXPRESSION OF GOD’S LOVE FOR US. ALL HIS COMMANDMENT WERE GIVEN TO PROTECT HIS CREATION.
YOUR DEFENSE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD. IT CAN DEFEAT THE DEVIL’S LIES. YOU CANNOT REASON WITH SATAN. WE MUST KNOW GOD’S WORD, MEMORIZE GOD’S WORD AND MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD. LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS THAT YOU MUST USE GOD’S WORD BY ACTING ON IT. WE NEED TO ACT ON IT EVERY DAY.
SATAN IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE DESTROYER. 1 PETER 5:8
8Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW JESUS TOLD PETER THAT SATAN WANTED TO SIFT HIM LIKE WHEAT. I BELIEVE THAT HE WANTS TO DO THAT TO ALL THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS. HIS TARGET IS YOUR BODY. A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS IS JOB. REMEMBER THAT JOB WAS RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT. IF SATAN CANNOT DEFEAT YOU BY DECEIVING YOUR MIND, HE WILL THEN TRY TO DESTROY YOUR BODY. JOB’S WIFE WAS SO OVERWHELMED BY HER HUSBAND’S TRIALS THAT SHE SUGGESTED, “CURSE GOD AND DIE!”
WHEN YOU READ THOROUGHLY THE GOSPELS YOU DISCOVER THAT SATAN THROUGH HIS DEMONIC HELPERS, ATTACKED AND SOUGHT TO DESTROY THE BODIES OF VARIOUS PEOPLE IN THE BIBLE. LOOK AT MT 9:32-33. ---
32And while they were going away, behold, a dumb man under the power of a demon was brought to Jesus.
33And when the demon was driven out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds were stunned with bewildered wonder, saying, Never before has anything like this been seen in Israel.
ALSO LOOK AT LUKE 13:11-13. -----
11And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon of sickness). She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward.
WHO CAUSED THE INFIRMITY? A DEMON OF SICKNESS AND IT’S STILL THE SAME TODAY. BUT LOOK WHAT HAPPENED AS SHE TURNED AND CAME TO JESUS.
12 And when Jesus saw her, He called [her to Him] and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity!
13 Then He laid [His] hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God.
THE ENEMY EVEN ATTACKED A CHILD AS WE READ IN MATTHEW 17:14-18. ----
14And when they approached the multitude, a man came up to Him, kneeling before Him and saying,
15Lord, do pity and have mercy on my son, for he has epilepsy (is moonstruck) and he suffers terribly; for frequently he falls into the fire and many times into the water.
16And I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to cure him.
17And Jesus answered, O you unbelieving (warped, wayward, rebellious) and thoroughly perverse generation! How long am I to remain with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to Me.
18And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was cured instantly.
PEOPLE ASK, WHY DOES HE DO THIS? IT IS BECAUSE HE SEES YOUR BODY AS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. LOOK AT 1 COR 6:19-20. -----
19 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,
20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
NOT ONLY IS YOUR BODY HIS TEMPLE BUT IT IS ALSO HIS TOOL TO REACH OTHERS FOR HIM. IF HE CAN KEEP YOU BOUND AND SICK YOU CANNOT WORK FOR HIM AS A WITNESS. GOD IS MAKING US TO BE RECONCILERS OF MEN SO THAT WE CAN BRING MANY INTO FAVOR WITH GOD. THE CHRISTIAN WHO IS CARELESS ABOUT HIS HEALTH OR SAFETY IS PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE DESTROYER.
SATAN’S WEAPON AS THE DESTROYER IS SUFFERING. HE WANTS TO TAKE AWAY ALL THE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO GOD’S WORK. HIS PURPOSE IS TO MAKE YOU IMPATIENT WITH GOD’S WILL. SATAN ATTACKED JOB’S BELONGINGS AND THEN HE ATTACKED HIS HEALTH BUT EVEN THOUGH JOB DID BECOME IMPATIENT WITH GOD HE NEVER LOST HIS FAITH.
YOUR WEAPON AGAINST THE DESTROYER IS THE IMPARTED GRACE OF GOD. LISTEN TO WHAT PETER SAID ABOUT SUFFERING IN 1 PETER 5:10. -----
10And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
OUR GOD IS THE GOD OF ALL GRACE. WHEN YOU ARE ATTACKED BY THE DESTROYER IMMEDIATELY SUBMIT YOURSELF TO GOD. SATAN HATES IT WHEN YOU GIVE GOD THANKS EVEN IN YOUR SUFFERING. YOU DON’T ENJOY SUFFERING BUT YOU KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL.
WE ARE TO SPEND MUCH TIME IN THE WORD OF GOD. LOOK FOR WAYS TO GLORIFY GOD. IN THE MIDST OF SHAME AND SUFFERING, PAUL AND SILAS GLORIFIED GOD BY SINGING AND PRAISING HIS NAME WHILE IN PRISON. WHILE BEING STONED TO DEATH, STEPHEN GLORIFIED GOD BY PRAYING FOR HIS MURDERERS. PAUL’S MOST JOYFUL LETTER --- PHILIPPIANS --- WAS WRITTEN FROM ROMAN IMPRISONMENT WHEN HIS LIFE WAS IN THE BALANCE. IN THESE SITUATIONS ONLY THE IMPARTED GRACE OF GOD HAS TO BE YOUR WEAPON OF CHOICE TO DEFEAT THE DESTROYER. WE MUST UNDERSTAND AND RECEIVE HIS GRACE, IT IS A FREE GIFT.
SATAN IS ALSO REFERRED TO AS THE RULER. JOHN 14:30. -----
30I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.]
AS A RULER SATAN WILL ATTACK YOUR WILL, SATAN’S GOAL IS TO GET TO YOUR WILL AND CONTROL OR RULE IT. HE MAY FIRST COME AS THE DECEIVER TO DESTROY YOUR MIND AND AS THE DESTROYER TO DESTROY YOUR BODY. BUT IF HE CAN GET YOU TO BELIEVE THAT YOU’RE WILL IS THAT OF GOD WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT HE WILL GET AND KEEP YOU TRAPPED.
SATAN’S WEAPON TO COME AGAINST YOUR WILL IS PRIDE. THOSE TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN FIGHT INTENSIVE BATTLES OF PRIDE. DAVID WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE IN THIS CASE. PRIDE GLORIFIES MAN AND ROBS GOD OF THE GLORY THAT ONLY HE DESERVES.
PRIDE IS A WEAPON THAT SATAN WIELDS WITH GREAT SKILL. HE MADE DAVID FEEL THAT HE COULD HAVE AN AFFAIR WITH BETHSHEBA AND COVER IT UP WITH MURDER TO MAINTAIN HIS POSITION. THIS EXPLAINS WHY PETER WRITES IN 1 PETER 5:5-6. ------
5. Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)--[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)--[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
6. Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,
7Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.
YOUR DEFENSE AGAINST THE RULER AS HE ATTACKS YOU WITH PRIDE IS THE INDWELLING SPIRIT OF GOD. PRIDE IS SUCH A STRONG WEAPON; MOST PEOPLE CANNOT DETECT IT IN THEMSELVES. SATAN CAN BE SUCH A STRONG ADVERSARY AND WITH PRIDE AS HIS WEAPON ONLY A STRONGER POWER CAN GIVE US THE VICTORY OVER PRIDE. THAT POWER COMES FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT DWELLS WITHIN. LET’S LOOK AT PHIL 2:12-13. -----
12. Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
13. [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
ONLY GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT, WORKING IN YOU, CAN CONTROL YOUR WILL AND ENABLE YOU TO PLEASE GOD. IT IS GOD’S SPIRIT WORKING IN YOU THAT DEFEATS THE RULER. CAN YOU SEE THIS?
SATAN HAS ALSO BEEN CALLED THE ACCUSER. SEE REV 12:10. -------
10. Then I heard a strong (loud) voice in heaven, saying, Now it has come--the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (the Messiah); for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night, has been cast out!
AS THE ACCUSER SATAN’S TARGET IS YOUR HEART AND CONSCIENCE. UNLIKE THE OTHER THREE THIS SCENE IS IN HEAVEN. SATAN’S WEAPON IS ACCUSATION. WHEN SATAN TALKS TO YOU ABOUT GOD, HE LIES. WHEN HE TALKS TO GOD ABOUT YOU, HE SOMETIMES TELLS THE TRUTH! REMEMBER HE IS THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN.
HE HAS ACCESS TO HEAVEN, TO THE VERY THRONE OF GOD; AND THERE HE REMINDS GOD OF THE CONDITION OF HIS CHILDREN. WE, AS BELIEVERS, FEEL THIS IN OUR HEART AND CONSCIENCE. I.E. “DID YOU SEE WHAT DAVID DID? HE COMMITTED ADULTERY WITH HIS NEIGHBOR’S WIFE, AND THEN KILLED HER HUSBAND.”
WHAT USUALLY FOLLOWS IS “JUDGE HIM, JUDGE HIM!” HOWEVER, WHEN GOD CONVICTS US HE USES THE WORD OF GOD IN LOVE AND SEEKS TO BRING YOU BACK INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER.
SATAN’S PURPOSE IS FOR YOU TO FEEL REGRET AND REMORSE. HE WANTS YOU TO FEEL GUILTY, BUT NOT REPENTANCE. HE WANTS YOU TO FOCUS ON YOURSELF AND YOUR SIN. GOD’S PLAN IS TO RESTORE YOU AND PUT YOU BACK IN SERVICE.
YOUR DEFENSE IS THE INTERCEDING SON OF GOD AS WITNESSED IN 1 JOHN 2:1. -----
1MY LITTLE children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God's law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father--[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father's will in every purpose, thought, and action].
ALWAYS REMEMBER 1 JOHN 1:9. ------
9. If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
WE CLOSE WITH THESE THIS TRUTH AND REALITY ABOUT OUR LOVING GOD IN HEB 13:20-21. -----
20. Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21. Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).
AS MUCH AS SATAN HAS EXPERIENCED SUCCESS AGAINST THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO HIS PEOPLE AND EVEN SOME THAT HAVE PARTIAL KNOWLEDGE. OUR OBJECTIVE SHOULD BE TO BECOME VERY FAMILIAR WITH GOD’S WORD AND TO OBEY HIS EVERY COMMAND. WE MUST REMEMBER THAT WE ARE AT WAR EVERY DAY AND WE ARE IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT GOD’S ARMY WINS IN THE END.
LEY US PRAY.
If your heart was touched by the message and you want Jesus in your life, please pray the prayer below.
Sinner's Prayer: F
Father, I know that I have sins and I am seperated from you.I am truly sorry please forgive me. I believe that your son Jesus Christ came to die for my sins, was resureted from dead on the third day. Now I receieve He as my lord and saviour Yhank you Lord for saving Me in Jesus name .Amen lp me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my li If you sincerely prayed this prayer and decided to repent of your sins and receive Christ today, welcome to God's family. Now, as a way to grow closer to Him, the Bible tells us to follow up on our commitment.
- Get baptized as commanded by Christ.
- Tell someone else about your new faith in Christ.
- Spend time with God each day. It does not have to be a long period of time. Just develop the daily habit of praying to Him and reading His Word. Ask God to increase your faith and your understanding of the Bible.
- Seek fellowship with other followers of Jesus. Develop a group of believing friends to answer your questions and support you.
- Find a local church where you can worship God.Congratulations, consider yourself a "Born again Christian"!
Welcome to the family of God.
Posted by Shadrack Uwagboe. Posted In : Christian Living:
