LESSON 32 – SATAN
NO
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STUDY
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TEXTS
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32
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Satan – Personality and Power
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James 4:7
Ezekiel 28:11-19
Isaiah 14:12-17
1 Corinthians 10:13
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INTRODUCTION
We have to recognize that Satan exists. Many people believe in UFO's and ET's but they do not believe in Satan. This seems rather foolish don’t you agree? The Bible teaches that Satan is a fallen angel and is the prince of the angels. He does not like being studied. In military tactics it is very important to know two things, firstly to understand your own weapons and how to use them and secondly to know your enemy, his strengths and weaknesses. This is so that you may be able to fight him and defeat him. Thus the basis of military science is to beat the enemy.
BELIEVERS SPIRITUAL WEAPONS
We have spiritual weapons in the form of the whole armour of God which is described in Ephesians 6. We have to know Satan and his troops, the demons, who are his enemies. We must know our enemies as with the days getting darker the position gets more difficult.
We should distinguish carefully between the devil and demons. This distinction is quite overlooked in the KJV. The devil and the demons are two distinct groups.
The doctrine of Satan is a practical doctrine which helps us to understand our utter dependence on the Lord and the Holy Spirit, within the Father’s Plan, and it should drive us to prayer more often. Prayer is the only source of victory over evil in your life. In James 4:7 we are told to submit ourselves to the mighty hand of God, resist the Devil and he will flee from you.
If you know he is the enemy you can know his strengths and respect them, you can also know his weakness and exploit them. He is a coward in the face of a Bible believing, spirit filled Christian. The Christian must be Bible saturated. The Holy Spirit works through the Word, John 14:16-26. If we are going to face the enemy we do so knowing that he is a coward and will flee from the Spirit’s presence. We need not fear Satan if we are facing him in the knowledge of God's Word and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
The armour of God in Ephesians 6 is defensive armour. The Christian does not have a spear, he has a sword. Even though the armour is defensive you are supposed to go on the offensive with it.
The Romans would take the attacks of the enemy, and then when the enemy fired their arrows and spears at them, they would get down behind their shields. The Romans would take the attack and when the opponents came in to finish them off the Romans would lower their shields slightly and counterattack with their short swords.
We have the shield of faith and the sword of the Word. We must know God's Word and use it in the power of the Holy Spirit. You cannot have Bible study without the filling of the Holy Spirit and you cannot have the filling of the Holy Spirit without confession of any sin and the knowledge of God's Word. Many Christians are used to being docile, however in this area you must go on the offensive.
WHO IS SATAN?
Satan is a person and created as a personality. He exercises all the functions of a person; he has a will, a personality, spiritual life, strategies and hatreds, plans. He has a plan for you. The strategies and plans of Satan are against the children of God; he seeks to frustrate the plan of God for your life.
There is no mention in the Scriptures about Satan attacking unbelievers because they are his already. He is a creature and therefore not equal with God. There are no equal good and bad influences as stated in the Chinese yin and yang. Satan is superior to us yet far inferior to God. As a creature he can only be in one place at one time. Too many believers believe Satan is more powerful than he truly is.
Although he has a plan for you and I God also has a plan for us and God's plan is infinitely stronger. We are on the winning side. Christians are not losers. That is the power of God's Word when you know it and it is coming through you. It is very unlikely that we will see Satan however we are going to come up against demons.
The Lord did not deny that Satan had power over the kingdoms of the world. He desired to sift Peter like wheat, he had power over Job in sickness, but his power is limited by the Lord. God is in control. God does not get off His throne and share it with anyone let alone a created angel. He has access to heaven but is not in a position of authority. Our life is hid with Christ in God. We are as secure in Christ as God is on his throne.
When you are up against evil you must know where you stand and that you are secure. You need to know about eternal security, confession of sin and the like doctrines.
While Satan has power in his own right the power will not crush the believer who is in fellowship - I Corinthians 10:13. The Holy Spirit does not leave you and is permanently in you. You can face anything if you know where you stand. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. I John 4:4
DEMONS
Demons implement Satan's policy at any one time but are not under very good control. The effect of the demons on Christians is evident from Ephesians 6 and I Timothy 4 where there is a difference of the power of demons over unsaved people and of those who are born again due to the fact that the Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
While the demons may possess an unsaved person they may only oppress a saved person. There is therefore a difference in the duration of demonic power over those who are born again. Nowhere in Scripture is the believer indwelt by demons. Full Demon possession is only possible for the unbeliever, as your body is the Temple
DEALING WITH SATAN
If the Holy Spirit is in you, God is light and in Him is there no darkness at all. You encourage your people to stand up to demonic attack and not throw your ink bottle at the Devil as Luther did. You pray, as it is the power of the Holy Spirit that deals with Satan. Do not wrestle with the Devil. Do not have any fellowship at all with any person who recommends that.
You deal with him by claiming God's Word through prayer and if he is physically in the room with you, you claim the surety of the Word of the living God, "Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world". You tell him that if he is here it is because God has allowed him to be here and then invite him to go in the name of the one who will judge him and send him to the Lake Of Fire
He is a coward - James 4:17, because you turn to Revelation 20, 21 and he sees that he is doomed and he does not like reading that. If we trust the statement that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, then we can live like Paul lived.
People are looking for instant spirituality. They are not prepared to live in God's Word. It must be real and must lead you to prayer. Satan is a created being, he has power but he is limited, he has character but it is flawed as is his personality. He has weakness which is pride which is a cluster sin including such sins as jealousy.
ORIGIN OF SATAN
Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 give good background to Satan. Ezekiel 28:11-19 explains a lot about Revelation 20 where Satan goes to the place called the Lake of Fire Lake of Fire
In Ezekiel 28:13 we have the nine precious stones that make up Satan's covering.
These nine are also represented in the twelve stones on the breastplate of the High Priest. The three that are missing represent the two sons of Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin. Rachel represents Israel
The origin of his sin is given in Isaiah 14:12-17 - this notes the five "I wills". Satan's sin was pride and arrogance. He thinks he is unbeatable and in his arrogant pride he hates believers who by their very actions show that a creature with free will, even though they are lower than the angels, are able to choose for God. They therefore show that he is wrong by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and receiving the righteousness of God in the process.
Your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ demonstrates the rebellion of Satan for what it was. He knows that you are not going to spend eternity with him and he therefore wants to make our lives as miserable as possible while we are on earth. As long as you are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit in the light of His Word you have nothing to fear from Satan. God is in control and can be trusted, the enemy is deceitful. His power was defeated at the Cross.
Satan is also called the angel of death but death was defeated at the Cross. God's Word states that we can do anything in the power of the Lord and that we have nothing to fear from the enemy if we continue in fellowship with the Lord. However we have to be aware of the Satan, the prowling lion who is looking for the carnal believer to devour. He can only attack the weak believer as the strong believer will leave him for dead. As a pastor you must teach your people this. You are in a position of strength; you must know your position, maximize it and live as winners.
DOCTRINES
SATAN
1. SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE; Genesis 3; Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28; Matthew 4; Revelation.
2. BIOGRAPHY
Satan is the most beautiful creature ever to be created by God. He is an angel who rebelled against God before the creation of man (Isaiah 14:12-15). Originally he was the covering angel, the personal attendant of Jesus Christ in the very throne room of God. Unlike God, Satan is a created being and as such can only be in one place at any one time. He is attended by a vast number of angels (called demons) who have given him unswerving allegiance. After the creation of man, he tempted Adam and Eve to be as gods and to know good and evil by disobeying God. Satan then became the ruler of this world (Genesis 3:1-7). He attacked the human race in many ways prior to the birth of Jesus Christ. Throughout Jesus Christ's life, Satan attacked the Lord. Since Christ's victory at the cross he attacks believers. Satan still has access into heaven where he accuses the brethren. Halfway through the tribulation period Satan is thrown out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-9). This causes him to intensify his attack on the human race. During the millennium he is confined to the bottomless pit, allowing a perfect environment on the earth (Revelation 20:1-3).
After a brief rebellion at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:7-10), Satan is condemned to the eternal lake of fire which was created for the devil and his angels.
3. EVALUATION
Satan is called:
a) The destroyer (Revelation 9:11).
b) The accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).
c) The adversary (1 Peter 5:8).
d) Beelzebub, prince of devils (Matthew 12:24).
e) The deceiver of the whole world (Revelation 12:9).
f) The great dragon (Revelation 12:9).
g) An enemy (Matthew 13:28,29).
h) The wicked one (Matthew 13:19,38).
i) The father of lies (John 8:44).
j) The god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
k) A murderer (John 8:44).
l) The prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
m) The ruler of this world (John 12:31; 14:30).
n) The ancient serpent (Revelation 12:9).
o) The tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5).
p) A blinder of minds (2 Corinthians 4:4).
q) A roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8).
4. PRINCIPLES
a) Believers are in Christ and therefore in a position of supremacy over Satan (Romans 8:37).
b) Satan was defeated at the cross once and for all (Colossians 2:14,15).
c) He can therefore only use devices and schemes, trying to convince the believer that he can still win the battle against God.
d) Satan, through religion, tries to get man to work independently from God.
e) A Christian out of fellowship can promote principles proposed by Satan (Matthew 4:8-10; Mark 8:33).
f) Satan will use Scripture slightly changed, or added to, to try and confuse believers and lead them astray (Matthew 4:3-10; cf. Psalm 91:11,12).
g) If Satan the adversary is resisted he will flee from you (James 4:7).
h) Knowledge and application of the Scriptures is essential in understanding the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
SATANIC ATTACK
1. Pre Adamic
Original Creation
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Genesis I:1
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Perfection and unity.
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Creation of Satan
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Ezekiel 28:13-15
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Created the most beautiful creature, a genius.
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Fall of Satan
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Isaiah 14:12-15
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"I will" 5 times. Satan sets himself up as God.
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1/3 of Angels follow Satan
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Revelation 12:4
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God's Judgment
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Matthew 25:41
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Satan appeals
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Man created with a free will to show the fairness of God's judgment.
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Man having been created, Satan wages war firstly to get man to sin, secondly having had a Saviour promised to attack the line of Christ, thirdly an attack on the Saviour until He completed His work, fourthly to attack the Word of God and the individual believer.
2. Stage 1 - Innocence-Sinfulness
Scripture
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Remarks
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Man created
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Genesis 1:26, 27
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God provides everything. One tree a test of free will.
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Woman falls
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Genesis 3:1-6
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Through ignorance of God's Word
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Man falls
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1 Timothy 2:13, 14
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Man chooses deliberately to go against God's provision.
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Salvation promised
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Genesis 3:15
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3. Stage 2 - Attack on the Line of the Saviour
Object: If Satan can prevent the Saviour being physically born he has proved that God did not keep His promise that is recorded in Genesis 3:15 and is therefore not perfect.
Attack 1. Cain kills Abel (Attack on the seed of the woman)
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Genesis 4:8, 9
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An unbeliever kills a believer but Seth, another believer is provided for the line of Christ.
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Attack 2. Infiltration of Fallen
Angels. (Attack on the humanity)
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Genesis 6:1-8
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Infiltration until only Noah's family left as the humanity. Flood removes angel/men demons incarcerated in Tartarus (Hades)
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Attack 3.
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Genesis 11:1 -7
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An attempt by Satan to bring in the Millennium without God. The original U.N. God forms nations and confuses their tongues.-
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Abraham promised the Saviour will be descended from him.
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Genesis 12:1-3
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Attack on the line of Abraham.
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Attack 4. Pharaoh of
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Exodus 1:22
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Using Pharaoh by ordering the slaughter of the male Jews Satan attempts to eliminate the Jews.
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David promised a King descended from him will reign forever
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2 Sam 7:12-16
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Satan now attacks the descendants of David
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Attack 5. Against the Kings of
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2 Kings 22:1, 2
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Josiah, boy King of Judah divinely protected comes to throne at age of 8 after coup d'etat eliminates every other member of the royal line.
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Attack 6. Against the Jews
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Esther 3:6
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Satan attempts to destroy the Jews using Haman. Haman eventually executed.
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Attack 7. Against
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Isaiah 37:36
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185,000 Assyrian troops under Sennacherib killed by God outside
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4. Stage 3 - Attack on the Person of Christ
Attack 1. Possible stoning of Mary
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Matthew 1:18-20
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The nobility of Joseph defended the as yet unborn Jesus.
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Attack 2. Herod the Great.
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Matthew 2:16-18
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Satan using Herod attempts to eliminate the Christ child by murdering all the young males in
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Attack 3. Temptation in Wilderness
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Matthew 4:9
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A sinner cannot redeem other sinners. Satan offers the crown (Millennium) before the cross. Jesus follows God's plan.
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Attack 4. Temptation not to go to the Cross.
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Matthew 16:21-23
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Jesus follows God's plan although the cross was obnoxious to him.
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Attack 5. Attempt to stone Jesus.
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John 8:59
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It was prophesied that the Saviour would die on wood. Stoning would have cut across this prophecy.
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Attack 6. Attempt to tempt Jesus down from the cross.
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Matthew 27:40
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If Jesus had come down from the cross there would have been no salvation.
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Attack 7. The drugged wine.
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Matthew 27:34
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Gall was a drug which if Jesus had accepted it would have impaired his free will and there would have been no salvation.
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5. Stage 4 - Attacks since the Cross.
Attack 1. Against Scripture.
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Attempting to get false books accepted in the canon of Scripture. Liberalism and Moderism, Humanism and Evolution.
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Attack 2. Revival of
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Under Charlemagne in 800 and Charles V in 1500. Roman Catholic Church.
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Attack 3. Massacre of Jews.
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Hitler's final solution attempts to eliminate Jews. No Jews no Kingdom for Jesus to reign over. Inquisition, Crusades, Russian pogroms.
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Attack 4. One World Government.
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Revival of the
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Attack 5. Socialism.
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Satan's millennium.
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Attack 6. Persecution.
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Nero, Reformation, Inquisition
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6. Satan’s present strategy is divided into 3 sections.
(a) Towards unbelievers:
To blind them regarding the gospel. (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10)
(b) Towards believers.
He accuses believers. (Revelation 12-9, 10, Job 1:6-11)
He persuades the believers to ignore the will of God through disobedience (Genesis 2:17), through worry (1 Peter 5, 7-9), ignoring doctrine (1 Chronicles 21:1)
He seeks to entice the believer from the will of God. (James 4:7, 8)
He seeks to destroy the believer's focus by getting eyes on self (1 Corinthians 1:10, 11 on people (1 Corinthians 1:12) by getting eyes on things (Hebrews 13:5, 6)
To get the believer frightened of death. (Hebrews 2:14, 15)
(c) Towards the world in general.
Satan tries to deceive the nations. (Revelation 20:7-10)
Principle: The more you know about the Word of God the more you will be able to be effective as a Christian. Jesus was tempted by Satan as we read in Matthew 4.
SATANIC ATTACK ON BELIEVERS
1. As believers we battle two enemies; the Flesh from within (Romans 7:18, 8:8, Galatians 5:16-19) and Satan without. (John 8:44, 1 John 3:8)
2. We must know what Satan is up to and learn his strategies so that we might be ready and alert. (2 Corinthians 2:11)
3. Satan's most potent attack is to install false pastor teachers within the church who teach just enough false doctrine to sidetrack foolish believers. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
4. Satan attacks believer’s assurance of salvation.
5. He also accuses believers of sin both to God and to the believer in the form of guilt. (Revelation 12:9-10)
6. Satan wants us to trust our feelings; God wants us to trust His Word. (Romans 8:1)
7. Satan lures believers away from the Word (Genesis 3:4) whilst God wants believers stabilised upon His Word. (Isaiah 26:3)
8. Satan hinders believers from doing the geographical and operational will of God.
9. Satan will do all he can to hinder the believer's growth: (2 Peter 5:18)
a) by getting the believer's eyes off Christ and onto self, others or circumstances
b) by encouraging lust for material things over spiritual growth
c) by encouraging mental attitude sins.
10. Satan is the author of sin and the founder of fear. We are not called to fear but to faith. (2 Timothy 1:7)
CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
1. General Scripture Ephesians 6:11-17.
This passage relates to the armour which the Roman soldier wore and analogises its use into the spiritual realm.
2. USE OF THE ARMOUR Ephesians 6:11
"Put on the whole armour of God. " Ephesians 6:11a. We are instructed to "put on" (ENDUO Gk) - this means "to clothe" - it is a command by God to the Christian soldier. We are to "clothe ourselves" or to "dress ourselves". "Whole armour" (PANOPLIA Gk) - the complete armour "of God" (THEOS Gk) true source of the armour is God.
The whole armour of God is given in Ephesians 6:14-17. It comprises:-
a) The Belt of Truth Ephesians 6:14a
b) Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:14b
c) Boots Ephesians 6:15
d) Shield Ephesians 6:16
e) Helmet of Salvation Ephesians 6:17a
f) Sword of the Spirit Ephesians 6:17b
PRINCIPLES:
i) The Roman soldier wore all his armour for his own safety and protection.
ii) When the Roman soldier was highly disciplined he ruled the world.
iii) When the Roman soldier became degenerate the Empire declined and fell.
iv) The Roman soldier was in the army 7 days a week.
3. SPIRITUAL ANALOGY
a) As Christian soldiers we wear our armour for our own safety and protection.
b) When we are highly disciplined in the Christian life we are very effective in our warfare.
c) If we become degenerate or apostate our Christian witness and effectiveness declines and we become casualties in the spiritual warfare.
d) The Christian soldier is in the battle 7 days a week. A part time soldier never amounts to an effective soldier.
“That ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11 b.
"to stand" (histemi (Gk) - to hold your ground. We are in a spiritual warfare and the purpose of the armour is to hold our ground against the foe. "the wiles (methodeia dia Gk) - tactics, cunning or fraud" "of the devil” (diabolos Gk).
We therefore have the whole armour of God to enable us to stand firm against the devil's tactics.
PRINCIPLE: By learning the tactics likely to be employed by your opponent the Christian soldier is able to go on the offensive using the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God. (verse l7).
4. THE ENEMY (Ephesians 6:12)
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places. "
"Wrestle" - "the wrestling" (he pale estin Gk) hand to hand combat not wrestling as a sport. "not against flesh and blood"
– not against other members of the human race, but against:-
a) PRINCIPALITIES (arche Gk) Ruling demons.
b) POWERS (exousia Gk) - Demons with authority, officers in the demon army.
c) RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD (kosmokrator Gk) - world rulers, demons close to the seats of government such as the demons of (Daniel 10:13, 20).
d) SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES (pneu matikos poneria Gk) - the demon army.
Quite clearly our fight is against a spiritual foe. From Hebrews 2:7 we know that as human beings we are inferior to angels. Therefore in order to have success against superior forces we must have God's armour.
5. BE PREPARED (Ephesians 6:13)
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all,
to stand. "
Since the resurrection ascension and session of Jesus Christ the attack of Satan has moved from the line of Christ to the individual believer. Our dependence on the whole armour is imperative yet many believers reject part or all of the armour. There are many casualties as a consequence. We are again exhorted to put on the whole armour of God.
6. THE BELT OF TRUTH (Ephesians 6:14a, Isaiah 11:5)
"Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth.”
The Roman belt was a wide girdle of leather worn around the waist from which hung the scabbard for the sword and loops for rations and equipment. The leather belt was supported by a cross shoulder strap studded with metal plates with thick leather strips hanging down to protect the lower body. The belt therefore was the basic armour on which the defence of the soldier was based.
PRINCIPLE: Our basic defence is the truth contained within the Word of God. The sword of the Spirit hangs securely to the believer by means of the promises contained within it. The greater our trust in the truth of God; the greater will be our protection against the enemy.
7. THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Ephesians 6:14b, Isaiah 59:17)
"and having on the breastplate of righteousness."
The breastplate (thorax Gk) was usually made of leather overlaid with metal strips. Shaped like a sleeveless coat it was in the higher ranks often covered with gold or silver. The belt held the breastplate firmly in place its primary function being to protect every vital area of the soldier’s body.
PRINCIPLE: The righteousness of Christ protects us. We stand in his righteousness alone. He gave us his righteousness at the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our continued protection through his righteousness is through the filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) (See topic Holy Spirit: Filling of the Spirit).
8. THE BOOTS (Ephesians 6:15, Isaiah 52:7)
"And your feet shod, with the preparation of the gospel of peace".
The boots (caligae Gk) were made of hobnail studded leather soles 15mm (1/2") thick secured with a leather tie over the instep and round the ankles. Good footwear is essential for the soldier with infantry still being essential even in these days of sophisticated armaments.
PRINCIPLE: In spiritual terms the feet are often analogised to service. The feet take one towards the enemy. The gospel of peace is a direct attack on the enemy. Peace in this context talks of reconciliation between God and man. (Romans 1:1 4-16, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
9. THE SHIELD OF FAITH (Ephesians 6:16; 1 John 5:4)
"Above all taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of' the wicked."
The Roman shield (thureos Gk) was shaped like a door being made of glued planks wrapped in canvas or calf skin, the top and bottom edges being protected by iron. The shield was the most active of the defensive armour carried by the Roman soldier. Loss of shield often meant death to the soldier.
PRINCIPLE: The Christian soldier's shield is walking actively in the promises and principles set out in the Word of God. If we do not use our faith we can become spiritual casualties. Using the shield of faith we can claim -the 7,000 promises for the Christian walk including Isaiah 41:10; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 4:4.
10. THE HELMET OF SALVATION (Ephesians 6:17a; Isaiah 59:17)
"And take the Helmet of salvation.”
With the exception of the standard bearer who wore a wolf's head, every Roman soldier wore a metal helmet (perik Gk) usually of bronze over an iron skull cap. This protected the most important part of the soldier - his head.
PRINCIPLE: Before a person can be a soldier for Christ, he has to be born again. He has to wear the helmet of salvation. One of the wiles of the devil is to make the believer feel that he has lost his salvation. If a believer loses his assurance of salvation he takes his helmet of salvation off and is totally vulnerable to the attack of the foe.
11. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT (Ephesians 6:17b)
"and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
The sword referred to is the machaira or Roman short sword. The sword represents the basic offensive weapon for close combat. It was only effective when out of its sheath.
PRINCIPLE: The sword in its sheath is potentially devastating but it is only effective when it is used to combat and defeat the enemy. We must therefore conquer using principles, promises and doctrines from the Word of God.
