The Wiles of the Devil

Text: Ephesians 6:10-18

 

I.         Satan is a real being

            A.        Jesus warned Peter that Satan wanted him - Luke 22:31

                        1.         Much like Satan wanted Job - Job 1:6-12

            B.        Peter warned us that Satan wants to devour us - I Peter 5:8-9

            C.        Thus, we have to know our enemy - II Corinthians 2:10-11

II.        What are Satan’s devices?

            A.        Satan is a liar - John 8:44

                        1.         He deceives people - Revelation 20:10

                        2.         He and his followers disguise themselves - II Corinthians 11:13-15

                        3.         People fall for it because they have no love of truth - II Thessalonians 2:9-10

                        4.         Satan reverses morality - Isaiah 5:20

                                    a.         You see it in the Garden - Genesis 3:1-5

                                    b.         You see it today

                                                (1)       You deserve to be happy

                                                (2)       There is no absolute truth

                                                (3)       A loving God will not send you to Hell

            B.        Satan distracts - Mark 4:18-19

                        1.         Material possessions - I Timothy 6:9-10

                        2.         Demands on our time - Ephesians 5:14-17

                        3.         The love of the world keeps us from the love of God - I John 2:15-17

            C.        Encouraging discontentment

                        1.         One of Israel’s problem was their lack of appreciation - Numbers 21:5-6

                                    a.         They died for it - Psalms 106:24-27

                        2.         Paul warns us not to become like them - I Corinthians 10:10

                        3.         Do all things without grumbling - Philippians 2:14

                        4.         Discontented people don’t work together

            D.        Discord, dissension, and division

                        1.         A house divided cannot stand - Matthew 12:25

                        2.         Satan seeks the destruction of God’s people, so he sows discord

                        3.         Discord is something God finds disgusting- Proverbs 6:16-19

                        4.         It muddies the message. It is why love is so important - John 13:34-35

            E.        Isolation

                        1.         You can tell when people start to fall away. They start talking as people separate from the church. “You people are too strict.” But as members of the church, they should be included in that comment.

                        2.         Another sign is that their attendance become increasingly sporadic. Fewer services, fewer Bible classes, all which weakens the fellowship we have.

                        3.         There is a reason we are to come together as a church and it is not for division - I Corinthians 11:17-18

                        4.         We gather often to encourage - Hebrews 10:23-25

                        5.         But Satan aims to isolate us so we are easier pickings

            F.        Discouragement

                        1.         Discouragement diminishes our enthusiasm, hinders our growth, and keeps us from encouraging others

                        2.         That is why Paul said not to grow weary - Galatians 6:9

                        3.         We need to remember those who have gone before us - Hebrews 12:1-3

                        4.         “Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellow man, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.” [William Ward, Today in the Word, April 1989, p. 18]

III.       Satan wants to destroy the works of God, which means he is after each one of us

            A.        Don’t think it won’t happen to you - I Corinthians 10:12

            B.        Put up a fight - Ephesians 6:10-13


Ideas borrowed from Ken Weliever, https://thepreachersword.com/2021/07/29/the-devil-desires-you

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