RESISTING SATAN S DEVICES (II Corinthians 2:11)

Transcription

1 RESISTING SATAN S DEVICES (II Corinthians 2:11) I. Satan opposes the church of Christ. A. Satan was defeated in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1. I Jn 3:8. 2. Heb. 2: Col. 2: Acts Satan s efforts to destroy Christ actually served the purpose of God. Through Christ s death a vast multitude was wrested from Satan s grasp. Here the wise was taken in his own craftiness (Job 5:12-16). 5. Eph. 1: Christ is exalted over all of Satan and his hosts. B. The gospel declares the death and resurrection of Jesus which is Satan s downfall (I Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 1:4, 16). C. The church is the vehicle for the promulgation of the gospel (I Ti. 3:15; I Th. 1:8). 1. The church is built upon the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God which fact is declared in the gospel (Nat. 16:16-18). 2. Consequently, Satan seeks to destroy the church so as to obliterate the witness to his defeat (Rev with Lk. 8:19-21). Satan desires to be God (Is. 14:12-14) and, therefore, seeks to destroy the gospel that declares that Another, Jesus Christ, is God. D. The world is under the sway of Satan, its god (II Cor. 4:4). Hence, the world opposes the church (I Jn. 3:13; Jn. 15:18-19). E. Satan and the world have an ally in the church, the flesh of the believers (Rom. 7:23; I Pet. 2:11; Jas. 4:1). Mind how Satan, the world and the flesh work together (Eph. 2:1-3). F. I Pet. 5: In opposing Christ and His church, Satan works on the individual members as well as the whole body. 2. The Christian must be sober in the face of satanic opposition. He must not allow his senses to be dulled (I Th. 5:5-8 with Pr. 23:31-35). a) A drunken man is insensitive. On the contrary, a Christian must maintain a keen awareness of the opposition of Satan. b) Mind from I Th. 5:8 that soberness is characterized by putting on faith, love and hope. By contrast, drunkenness would be laying aside faith, love and hope. One is never more vulnerable to being a tool of the devil than when he is in unbelief, hate and despair.

2 II. Satan s devices. c) The man whom the day of the Lord takes unawares is characterized as a drunken man. Compare this with Lk. 21:34. One can be overcome of other things as well as alcohol and can thus be taken unawares. d) Observe that the same armour that braces one for the coming of the Lord (I Th. 5:4, 8) also braces one for the opposition of Satan (Eph. 6:10-17). Satan ever seeks to turn the Christian s attention away from the coming of the Lord. He thus turns the Christian from his hope which results in the loss of joy (Rom. 12:12; Heb. 6:6) which is the loss of strength (Neh. 8:10) which in turn makes the Christian easy prey for the devil (Eph. 6:10-12). 3. Vigilant - Wakeful and watchful; keeping steadily on the alert; attentively or closely observant. The Christian should be ever on his guard against Satan s attacks. A. WARNING: Because Satan has an ally in the church, the flesh, these devices will not only be used by the world but by church members against one another. This is why Christians must always endeavour to not walk after the flesh else they will destroy one another. 1. Gal. 5:13-16, 25-26! Notice how walking after the flesh is linked to the brethren biting and devouring one another. 2. Church members can be the tool of Satan without realizing it. a) Mat. 24:4; I Cor. 3:18; 15:33; Gal. 6.7; Eph. 5:6; Col. 2:8; Heb. 3:13. Deceive - To ensnare; to take UNAWARES by craft or guile; to overcome, overreach, or get the better of by trickery; to beguile or betray into mischief or sin; to mislead. b) II Sa. 15: The simple are open to deception (Rom. 16:17-18). c) Knowledge of the doctrine is the antidote to being deceived (Eph.4:14; Pr. 7:1-7). d) No wonder Christians are exhorted to soberness in view of Satan s seeking to devour them (I Pet. 5:8). The believer must not allow his judgment to become clouded and thus become prey to deception (Pr. 31:4-5). B. II Cor. 11:2-4 with Gen. 3:1-6. Mind how Satan placed doubt upon the word of God. He then turned Eve s attention to his own word as a rule of practice. Eve then followed her own judgment doing what seemed good and pleasant to her (Pr. 14:12; Nu. 15:39). Those who follow their own judgment instead of the word of God are beguiled by the devil. In doing her own will, Eve was doing the will of the devil. 1. One of Satan s main devices is to get the Christian to doubt the word of God. When the child of God lays aside his faith in the word the following things occur: Resisting Satan s Devices Page 2 of 7

3 a) He lays aside the very thing that breeds joy (Ph p. 1:25; Rom. 15:13). The lack of joy results in a lack of strength as shown above. The weakened soul is easy prey for Satan. b) He lays aside his Christian witness which is animated by faith (ii Ti. 1:12) and consists of the spreading of faith (Rom. 1:8; I Th. 1:8). c) He lays aside a necessary ingredient for effectual prayer (Mk. 11:24; Jas. 1:5-7). Prayer is an ingredient in the spread of the gospel (Col. 4:3). d) In short, he lays aside the very thing whereby Satan is resisted, that is, faith (I Pet. 5:9; Eph. 6:16). As can be readily seen, when faith is laid aside the Christian s witness is hindered. This is precisely what Satan wants. He wants to see the witness to the gospel destroyed because the gospel testifies of his downfall. 2. Upon injecting doubt, Satan then directs the attention of his victim to something else as a rule for faith and practice. He seeks to persuade the person to follow a man, or his own thoughts and feelings rather than the word of God. Satan ever seeks to get the Christian away from the word of God, for it is by the word of God that Satan is overcome (I Jn. 2:14; Rev. 12:11). 3. Mind how Satan tempts his victim with that which appears good, pleasant and desirable! C. Satan will seek to alienate the saints from those who preach the truth of the gospel (Acts 14:2). This is a device to get the Christian away from the word of God. 1. This was done at Galatia. Along with it there was also the introduction of a false gospel (Gal. 4:13-17). 2. This was done at Corinth (II Cor. 10:2, 10; 12:11). Along with this there came the introduction of another Jesus, another spirit and another gospel and the devil was behind the whole thing (II Cor. 11:1-4, 13-15). 3. Christians are warned against opposing the ministers of God (Jude 11). Cf. the gainsaying of Core with Nu. 16. Also see Num. 12. D. Satan seeks to destroy the church through persecution (Rev. 12:13). 1. These persecutions involve: a) Scorn and mockery (Neh. 2:9-10, 19-20; 4:1-4). b) Slander and false accusation. (1) Ps. 31:13; 35:11; Mk. 14:55-60; Acts 21: (2) Opposers will watch for iniquity so as to have occasion to accuse (Ps. 41:6; 64:1-7; Lk. 11:53-54; Is. 29:20-21). (3) Christians must beware lest they do these very things in order to oppose one another. c) Scare tactics (Neh. 6:5-14; Pr. 29:25). Resisting Satan s Devices Page 3 of 7

4 d) Crowd manipulation Mk. 15:6-11, 15; Acts 21:27, 36). e) Legal sanction for the opposition (Dan. 6:4-9; Mk. 15:1 with Jn. with Lk. 23:24). 2. Persecutions tend to intimidate converts from pursuing the faith (Mk. 4:16-17; I Th. 3:1-5). E. Satan tries to destroy the church through engendering internal strife. 1. Gal. 5: Jas. 3:14-16; 4:1-2. When brethren are envying one another and striving against one another they are following the wisdom of the devil. 3. I Jn. 3: When brethren hate one another they are behaving as Cain who was of that wicked one! 4. It is no wonder then that the brethren are frequently exhorted to love and unity (Ph p. 2:2-3; Col. 3:12-14). Envy, strife and confusion are tools of the devil to destroy the church. F. Satan seeks to destroy the church through internal corruption. 1. I Cor. 5:6 (ungodly practice); Gal. 5:9 (ungodly doctrine). Both corrupt the church. 2. Rev. 2:5-7. A corrupt church is in danger of losing the candlestick. 3. Rev. 2:14. Balaam s plan was to corrupt the people so as to bring about their downfall (Num. 31:16). 4. I Pet. 2:1-3; Gal. 2:4; Jude 4. Mind how these deceivers come in privily, unawares. These intruders will form alliances so as to secure a following (Neh. 6:17-19). Satan can use family connections as a blinder. 5. Satan s plants appear good (II Cor. 11:13-15). 6. Again, knowledge of the doctrine is the antidote (Rom. 16:17-18). 7. The introduction of heresies manifest those who are approved (I Cor. 11:18-19 with II Ti. 2:15). G. Satan will try to get believers to form alliances that God does not approve of (Ezra 4:1-3; Is. 8:9-13; II Cor. 6:14-18). H. Satan will endeavour to sidetrack believers from their course. 1. The believer s course is found in Col. 2:6-8 and Ph p. 1: Other concerns have a tendency to choke the word (Lk. 8:14; I Cor. 7:29-32). 3. Satan always has a hobbyhorse for a believer to ride (I Ti. 4:7-8). 4. Pr. 16:32. Satan would rather have us concern ourselves with taking cities instead of ruling our spirits. When one has no rule over his spirit he is vulnerable to Satan s attacks (Pr. 25:28). Resisting Satan s Devices Page 4 of 7

5 I. Satan allures victims into cooperation with his schemes through promising them personal gain. 1. Gen. 3:5. Satan used this tactic on Eve. 2. Lk. 4:5-8. Satan promised Christ the kingdoms of this world. 3. I Ti. 6:5-11, with Ps. 62: Lk. 12:28. To whom much is given, of him is much required. This principle applies to the world. The more rank and money one is given by his employer, the more he will be required to do. Always weigh the requirements of a promotion. If those requirements vie with God s requirements, turn it down. J. Satan will use the Bible to trip up a Christian (Lk. 4:9-12). 1. The devil quoted Ps. 91: However, the application of this promise is seen in Ps. 91:2, 14. It applies to those who trust God, not to those who tempt God. 2. An example of this device: Satan tempts persons to expect answers to prayer that God never promised. He will use such verses as Mk. 11:22-24 to do this. 3. Ignorance of the word of God is a tool of Satan. One must know and apply the rules of Bible study to avoid this trap of the devil (II Pet. 1:20). 4. II Pet. 3: K. Satan attacks the believer where he thinks the believer is vulnerable. (Lk. 4:1-4). 1. This temptation appealed to physical need. It was a temptation to comply with Satan to satisfy that need. 2. Christ s Sonship was declared in Lk. 3:22. Satan demanded further proof on his terms. He tempted Christ to seek more confirmation of His Sonship than the word of God. 3. Example of this kind of temptation: Nat. 6:33 promises that physical needs will be supplied if one seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Satan dissuades persons from discipleship by getting them to doubt this promise and to comply with him to satisfy their physical needs. Satan would not have the Christian rely solely on the word of God. III. Resisting Satan and his devices (Jas. 4:7; I Pet. 5:8-9). The prescription for withstanding Satan s assaults is given in Eph. 6: A. vs Strength and power are needed to withstand Satan. This power comes through putting on the whole armour of God that ye may BE ABLE (have the power) to withstand. B. vs Wrestle - To strive with strength and skill to throw a person to the ground by grappling with him; to endeavour to overpower and lay down another. Satan is attempting to bring about the downfall of the Christian. Hence, the believer is exhorted to stand and withstand. C. v. 14a. The girdle of truth. Resisting Satan s Devices Page 5 of 7

6 1. Gird - To surround, encircle (the waist) with a belt or girdle, esp. for the purpose of confining the garments and allowing freer action to the body; fig. To prepare (oneself) for action. 2. The first thing needed to resist the devil is the truth. Since Satan is the father of lies, if one is in the grip of a lie he is already overthrown of the devil (II Ti. 2:24-26). Being girt about with truth involves repenting of sin. By this means one recovers himself from Satan s snare and can thus withstand him. No wonder then, the first duty a hearer of the gospel is called to perform is repentance (Acts 26:16-20). 3. Repent - To feel contrition, compunction, sorrow or regret for something one has done or left undone; to change one s mind with regard to past action or conduct through dissatisfaction with it or its results. Repentance involves a changed attitude toward sin resulting in changed behaviour. a) II Cor. 7:10-11 contrasted with Zep. 3:5. b) Eph. 4: Note that the changed mind (v. 23) leads to changed behaviour (vs ). c) I Pet. 1: The mind being girt about with truth leads to a change in the manner of life. 4. The girdle of truth involves living a life consistent with our profession (I Jn. 1:6; 2:4). D. v. 14b. The breastplate of righteousness. 1. In I Th. 5:8 this is the breastplate of faith and love. When one is exercising faith and love he is putting on righteousness. These things are manifestations and outworkings of the righteousness of God (Rom. 10:4; 13:10; I Ti. 1:5). 2. One needs the breastplate of Christ s imputed righteousness to guard against: a) Self-glorification. We are not righteous of ourselves (Lk. 18:9-14; Is. 64:6). All our genuine righteousness is but the outworking of His righteousness in us (I Jn. 3:7). b) Discouragement brought on by Satan focusing on our sin rather than God s remedy. Satan will seek to dissuade the sinner from following Christ by telling him he is too sinful. The sinner s reply is the cleansing blood of Christ that makes him fit to serve God (Heb. 9:14; Rev. 12:11). 3. One needs the breastplate of practiced righteousness to guard against reproach (I Ti. 5:14; Tit. 2:8; I Pet. 3:16). Make sure the enemies accusations are false. E. v. 15. The preparation of the gospel of peace. 1. Compare preparation with I Pet. 3: A Christian is to always be ready to bear witness to the gospel. 2. Mind that this piece of armour is for the feet. Compare with Rom. 10:15. It is not enough that the mouth be equipped with the gospel. The gospel must also be Resisting Satan s Devices Page 6 of 7

7 applied to the feet. Our walk must accord with our profession of the gospel. Otherwise, we are unprepared for witness. See Ph p. 1:27; Gal. 2:14. F. v. 16. The shield of faith. 1. This piece of armour is to be taken above all. This sums up bow Satan is resisted (I Pet. 5:9). Without faith there can be no receiving of the truth, putting on of righteousness nor gospel witness. The word of God works effectually in the believer (I Th. 2:13). 2. As before noted, Satan seeks to inject doubts. Hence, faith resists the devices of the devil for faith is the very thing Satan is seeking to overthrow. (I Ti. 4:1). G. v. 17a. The helmet of salvation. 1. In I Th. 5:8 the helmet is the hope of salvation. 2. This piece of armour guards the Christian against despair and the discouragement that arises from it. Mind how the hope of salvation animated Paul in Ph p. 1:19-25, 28-29; II Cor. 4: H. v. 17b. The sword of the Spirit. 1. It was by this means that Christ overcame Satan in the wilderness (Mat. 4:1-11). 2. I Jn. 2:14; Rev. 12: Always reply to Satan s temptations with Scripture (Ps. 119:11). I. vs Prayer and watching. 1. Prayer and watching are ingredients in avoiding temptation (Mat. 26:41). Prayer must be accompanied with watching. We must guard against being tempted. See Rom. 13: Strength to resist temptation is gained through prayer (Ps. 138:3; Eph. 3:16-17). 3. Deliverance from Satan s devices comes through prayer (Mat. 6:13 with Rom. 10:13). J. In short, the armour wherewith Satan is resisted is a believing application of the word of God. Above all, taking the shield of faith. Whom resist stedfast in the faith. They overcame him by the word of their testimony. The word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Resisting Satan s Devices Page 7 of 7