Sunday, March 24, 2019
am
LIGHTS IN A DARK
WORLD (11)
Know Your Enemy (2)
We have been extensively addressing the importance of being a proper
example. We have talked
about what a proper example looks like and how it describes us as lights
in a dark world (Philippians 2:15).
Last week we began an examination of the darkness in which we are
to shine. Time did not
permit us to complete our study of Satan, so we will do that this
morning.
Last week we talked about how Satan (the devil) is described.
He is our adversary (the name Satan) and a deceiver (the word
devil). He is the
serpent in the Garden of Eden that led to the fall of man (Genesis 3:1).
He is described as a liar and murderer, as well as the evil
one. This world is
his dominion and lies under his sway.
We also devoted some time to noting how he works – he deceives (his
primary method), he tempts us where we are weak (like a lure), he will
take advantage of you (exploit you), and seek to undo whatever good you
have done. Furthermore, he
will use his slaves to help him accomplish his will.
Today, we want to talk about how we can deal with Satan.
Because we MUST! We
need to deal with him in our own lives and as we seek to be lights in
this dark world. So we want
to address that today. Next
week will notice some thoughts about the darkness that he has created.
a.
It is a mistake to
dismiss or underestimate his power.
While he is not supernatural, as we have seen, he is powerful.
He has multitudes under his control and uses them to accomplish
his will.
There is a reason scripture uses the analogy of war when we think of the
devil. He is the enemy
seeking to destroy us and he will use WHATEVER means he can to
accomplish his goal.
Recall last week that we noted in Acts 26:18, Paul was sent to open the
eyes of the Gentiles (and others) to turn them from darkness to light,
and from the POWER of Satan to God…
The fact that he is described as a roaring lion demonstrates this – 1
Peter 5:8.
To ignore or be flippant of his ability to influence is sheer
foolishness. E.g. To
think that you can deliberately put yourself in the way of temptations
and not be burned by it, is foolishness.
Solomon said so, (Proverbs 6:27).
b.
BUT, know that he can
be resisted
–
James 4:7 – resist him and he will flee from you
Ephesians 4:27 tells us to not give place to the devil (by being angry
leading to sin).
Matthew 4:10 – Jesus said, “Away with you Satan…”
Vs. 11 says that he left Him
1 John 5:18 notes that whoever is born of God does not sin, but keeps
himself. “And
the wicked one does not touch him.”
Just like Jesus, use scripture to answer whatever he tries to tempt you
with. But you have to be well
versed in the word to accomplish this.
c.
Deal with your
temptations
–
James 1:12, blessed is the man who endures temptation.
To endure means to face with courage and withstand something.
That is the ONLY way we are going to deal with Satan.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – no temptation has overtaken you…make the way of
escape
2 Peter 2:9, the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation.
Hebrews 4:15 – remember the EXAMPLE of Jesus.
He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin.
That is the point of Matthew 4:1-11 which shows Jesus being
tempted with “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride
of life” (1 John 2:15-17)
d.
Be sober and vigilant
–
1 Peter 5:8. We are
continually challenged to be sober and watchful.
This includes and is because of the workings of Satan.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 calls for us to watch and be sober, rather than
sleeping.
Romans 13:11-13 – awake from sleep, the night is far spent.
Cast off works of darkness…
e.
Pray
–
John 17:15, Jesus prayed for His disciples (and for us) to be protected
from him.
Matthew 6:13, in our prayers.
Ephesians 6:18 – the final piece of our “armor” is prayer.
f.
Declare war on him
-
Make up your mind
that you are going to resist him. Become
indignant about the damage he has done in your life and the lives of
those you love (and even society).
Determine you are going to do everything to keep him from
invading your life anymore.
Verbally declare that he has no place in your life and mean it.
Arm yourself – Ephesians 6:10-17 – we find here the types of qualities
that will help us to fight this spiritual war – the truth of God’s word
(and truth in general), righteousness (being right with God),
preparedness with the gospel, faith and a hope of salvation.
Finally, we need the sword of the spirit which is the word of
God.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5, and FIGHT!
1 Timothy 6:12 – Paul told Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith”
and to lay hold on eternal life.
That is what we need to do.
g.
Realize that God is
greater
Some see Satan as a
fallen deity. He is not!
Job 1:12, 2:6 – he is limited in power.
He could not do anything without God’s permission.
Zechariah 3:2, Jude 9 – he can be rebuked and thereby silenced (unable
to answer);
John 10:28 none would snatch those who belong to Jesus out of His hand.
1 John 3:8 notes that Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the
devil. Hebrews 2:14
h.
Satan will lose!
Revelation 20:2, 10 – he will be judged and defeated.
The ultimate testament that he
is limited.
Matthew 25:41 – hell is actually a place prepared for the devil and his
angels.
Luke 10:17-18, when Jesus spoke of him falling like lightening out of
heaven, in context, Jesus is noting that he will be defeated.
Romans 16:20 – the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet
shortly.
i.
We have noted that we
should not underestimate the power of the devil, but I have also
been reminded of the fact that we should not overestimate his
power either. Therein is
our hope. He can do nothing
to us that we do not allow him to do!
Understanding who Satan is, is where we begin a study of darkness.
Understand that while he works in this world, he will be
defeated, and so will his workers of darkness.
Let us take consolation in that.
And thus, we must still shine as lights in this dark world.
How is your light shining?