MEMORY VERSE: “ Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil has come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12.
BIBLE PASSAGE: Isaiah 14:12-17.
INTRODUCTION
The world we live in is not a playground, rather it is a battleground. Therefore, the Christian life is a life of warfare. We have a terrible enemy who wants to destroy us: that enemy is Satan John 10:10a; Revelation 12-10. This is why Christians are called to be “good soldiers” of the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Timothy 2:3 and “to war a good warfare” 1 Timothy 1:18. Satan and his fallen angels are spirit- beings. We cannot see them, but they are very real enemies of every child of God Ephesians 6:11-12. We need to study the enemy’s tactics to understand how to resist him.
OUTLINE
- SATAN’S STRATEGY
- HOW TO RESIST
- SATAN’S STRATEGY
Satan’s terrible three -fold mission against man is to steal, kill and destroy John 10:10a. He knows that he has been both defeated. and condemned eternally to the lake of fire,but he wants to take as many people as possible with him Revelation 20:7-10: 2 Peter 2:4. He does this by using some strategies such as:
Lies/Deception .The Devil is called a liar and the father of all lies 1 John 2:22; John 8:44 who always attempts to counterfeit God’s principles and instructions through deception Genesis 3:4-5; 13; Revelation 20:10.
Fear/Intimidation. Satan uses fear to keep people in bondage and makes them stagnant 1 Peter 5:8: 1 John 4:18.
Creating confusion through the spread of false doctrines among the community of believers 1 Timothy 4:1-3.
Temptation and accusation. Satan Specialises in using temptation to yield to our human urges, lustful desires to trap people in addictions and later accuse the same people before God Luke 4:13;1Thessalonians 3:5 Revelation 12:10.
Strife/discord. The Devil understands that perpetuating strife is a potent weapon to subduing the limitless power possible where unity reigns. He is delighted when there is conflict Genesis 13:7:1 Corinthians 11:18: Acts 1539.
Discouragement/depression. Satan effectively Uses the tool of discouragement which eventually graduates to depression on many on believers when all else fails 1 Kings 19:4.
Affliction/illness. Satan afflicts people with sickness to hinder them from being productive Job 2:7. He can also gain access to a man’s life through unconfessed sin to afflict and make sick Psalm 107:17; 119:67.
2. HOW TO RESIST
When you are tempted, submit yourself to God and command the devil to leave James 4:7. Use the scriptures Just as Jesus did to subdue him and identify the way out of temptations Matthew 4:4-11; 1 Corinthians 10:13. When Satan lies to you, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and search the scriptures John 8:32: 16:13. When there is conflict and strife that can degenerate into discord among brethren, seek to make peace immediately without delay even if you are the victim Hebrew 12:14; Romans 12:18. To overcome the strategy of discouragement/ depression, engage yourself in serving others; work hard and avoid idleness, listen to godly music, recount your blessings and encourage yourself in the place of prayer like David did Ephesians 5:19; 1 Timothy 5:13; 1 Samuel 30:6. If you are afflicted with sickness, request for prayer from Elders in the Church or matured believers and exercise your faith in God’s ability to heal James 5:14-15.
CONCLUSION
The Word of God is one powerful tool given to believers to overcome the strategies of Satan.
FURTHER READING
Sun: Ephesians 6:11-16.
Mon: 1 Peter 5:8- 9.
Tues: James 4:7.
Wed: Colossians 2:15.
Thurs: Zechariah 3:2.
Fri: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
Sat: 2 Corinthians 11:14