He uses many.
Origin Colossians 1:15-16 'The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible & invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.'
Original name: Lucifer son of the morning.
Isaiah 14:12. He revolted against God
Isaiah 14:13-14 'I will ascend to heaven, I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit enthroned on the Mount of assembly on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds I will make myself like the Most High.'
Mount Zaphon = Most sacred Mount of Canaanites
2 Peter 2:4 'God did not spare angels when they sinned but sent them to hell. Putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgement'
Jude 6 'The angels who did not keep their position of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling - these He kept in darkness, bound by an everlasting chain for judgement on the Great Day.'
Revelation 12:7-12 'War broke out in heaven. Michael & his angels fought against the dragon & his angels fought back but was not strong enough & lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down - that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth & his angels with him.' Now has come the salvation & the power & the kingdom of our God & the authority of His Messiah, for the accuser of our brothers & sisters, who accuses them before our God day & night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb & the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives so as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice you heavens & you who dwell in them but woe to the earth & the sea for the devil has gone to you. He is filled with fury. Because he knows his time is short.'
Revelation 20:10 'The devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast & the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day & night forever and ever'
Tartarus Greek Hell Spiritual realm in which the devil operates.
The devil is called 'The ruler of the kingdom of the air' Ephesians 2:2 'The prince of this world' John 12:31 'The god of this age' 2 Corinthians 4:4
Satan can only act if permitted by God Job 1 He is able to quote Scripture Matthew 4:6
Satan means "accuser, adversary" 1 Chronicles 21:1; Job 1:6-12
Abaddon Hebrew Apollyon Greek means destroyer. 'Angel of the abyss' Revelation 9:11
Beelzebub prince of demons Matthew 12:24. Belial worthless 2 Corinthians 6:15
Descriptions:
Tempter 1 Thessalonians 3:5, accuser of brethren Revelation 12:10, serpent Genesis 3:1 Liar & father of lies John 8:44 Angel of light 2 Corinthians 11:14 Roaring lion 1 Peter 5:8
Character & Purpose of the Devil:
Opposes God. Wicked & evil Contempt for God’s servants. Breaks up marriages, divides churches, destroys friendships.
Personality: Presumptuous Job 1:6, Matthew 4:5-6. Proud 1 Timothy 3:6 Powerful Ephesians 2:2
Evil 1 John 2:13, Clever 2 Corinthians 11:3 and Deceitful, fierce & cruel 1 Peter 5:8 Like a lion
Exists to fight God and us.
Caused the fall of man. Lied to Eve. Tempted Jesus. Wanted to destroy Peter, caused doubt of God’s word, opposed gospel.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 Hinders the gospel 2 Corinthians 4:4 Works lying wonders 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Urged David to do census. Opposed Joshua High Priest Zechariah 3:1
2 Corinthians 2:11 'Forgive one another in order that Satan may not outwit us. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.' How?
He blinds the unsaved to remain lost. They do not understand what they hear & quickly forget without taking the trouble to discover the meaning of what they hear.
He uses two sources of temptation. The old sinful nature. James 1:13 the devil himself. 1 Thessalonians 3:5 'I was afraid the tempter had tempted you & our labour was in vain'
He relies on our weaknesses: love of money, prestige, power, ambition, race, religion, culture, sex, unbelief, fears, hurts, ignorance, unable to forgive.
Obstacles.
Paul stopped by Satan from coming. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Comes as angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14
Uses people, tried to use Peter to stop Jesus. Quoted scripture. Like a lion.
Uses tiredness, weakness, feeling of panic, reminds of failures, if in the past so the future.
Possession and Oppression
A person unable to control himself when Satan is allowed to rule by a person dabbling in the occult. Satan used Judas to betray Jesus for money. Prior to that he was a thief.
Demonic oppression. Satan relying on a person’s weakness & fear
The devil attacks us for a while. 'The day of evil' Ephesians 6:13 then 'leaves for a while' Luke 4:13
He overreaches himself 1 Corinthians 2:8
He did that when Jesus was put to death & it resulted in our salvation.
He advances the kingdom of God by his opposition 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
God has promised deliverance in trial.
1 Corinthians 10:13 'There is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful; who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. But will with the trial make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it.'
Resist the devil & he will flee from you. Like Jesus, know your scriptures & use them.
When an idea comes that is contrary to the revealed word of God, reject it. When troubled, stay quiet & think it out. In due time clarity of insight will prevail.
Resist the devil & he will flee from you. Submit yourself to God & He will exalt you in due time. Exalt is to draw you closer to Himself. Do not believe the devil even when he quotes the Bible. God reigns. He is in control & is able to keep you from falling & present you faultless before His presence with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour be glory & majesty, dominion & power both now & forever. Amen
Spiritual Warfare
Satan is active but his downfall is assured. He acts to thwart the purposes of God. His activities are limited by God. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Spiritual warfare is our reaction in the Spirit to Satan’s attacks. He uses the old nature, his attack must be countered by relying on the Holy Spirit. We rely on Him when under attack. It is our reaction. We do not initiate an attack on the devil.
Acts - Seven sons of Sceva – provoked the devil.
Spiritual warfare is always & only defensive Ephesians 6:10-18. Never provoke the devil.
Ephesians 6:13 Armour is strictly defensive, never to be used to attack.
When attacked by the devil our defence is the shed blood of Jesus & His risen life in us.
We rely on Jesus to lead us as He is our good shepherd.
Jesus taught us to pray: Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.
We grow in grace by responding to God, submit to Him, resisting the devil who will flee from us.
Rules for Spiritual warfare
'Be strong in the Lord & in His mighty power' Ephesians 6:10 Know God well & His word. Obey the Holy Spirit. Stay in tune with Him.
Defensive: Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Stand not attack! 'Resist the devil' James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9
Satan attacks when we are weak.
Unforgiving spirit, fears, uncontrolled sexual tendencies, pride, hurt feelings, unbelief, doubting the Word of God.
Satan uses those who have weaknesses, spouse, friends, pastor, other believers.
Our only enemy is the devil Ephesians 6:12 'Our struggle is not against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, authorities, powers of darkness of this dark world & spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms .'
The devil encourages us to react to those who provoke us, to blame others for their faults, he aims to break up marriages, friendships, fellowships. Recognise the enemy! Not people.
Ephesians 6:13 Take the full armour of God. Stand your ground when under attack.
The day of evil: a day or a period, or a vicious attack or temptation. You are singled out.
Your weakness is used, a person, or an angel of light 2 Corinthians 11:14 God speaking?
A roaring lion 1 Peter 5:8 Situation hopeless?
We need to be protected by the blood of Jesus & the armour of God. We must stand.
Right Theology : Ephesians 6:14 'Belt of truth & breastplate of righteousness in place'
Possible emotional weakness? Theological weakness? Blood of Jesus effective?
Right conduct Ephesians 6:15 'Feet fitted with the good news of peace.' Ready & in the light.
Right reaction: Ephesians 6:16 'Shield of faith to dampen the flaming arrows of the evil one'
Defend, resist not attack!
Right mentality: Ephesians 6:17 'Helmet of salvation. Sword of the Spirit which is God’s Word.'
Helmet protects the mind. Most important: Salvation Sword: right use of God’s Word.
Praying in the Spirit: Ephesians 6:18 'On all occasions with all kinds of prayers. Be alert & keep on praying for all believers.'
Prayer according to the will of God.
Or not sure of God’s will 1 John 5:14-15; Romans 8:26-27
FIVE R’S of Spiritual Warfare:
Remember Be alert 1 Peter 5:8, Be ready. Recognise the enemy.
Refuse to entertain doubts. Deal with them, examine them. A gentle answer turns away wrath Proverbs 15:1
Resist James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9 Keep resisting. He will flee. We grow in grace.
The devil always takes the initiative. We always resist. Take our stand. Defend.
Jesus has overcome the devil & broken the power of sin. We are victorious in Him alone as we rely on His finished work on the cross. It is finished. A cry of victory for Him & us.
