Satan's Strategies

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN
Series On The Strategy of Satan

As preached at Riverview Baptist Church Ripplemead, VA Senior Pastor: Shahn Wilburn - Spring, 2000 -
Dr. Edward Watke Jr.

3206 Woodhaven Ct. Augusta, Ga 30909
Copyright 2000,
Revival In The Home Ministries
Table of Contents:
First Confrontation
Satan-- the Deceiver -- Attack on Eve -- pgs. 3-11
Second Confrontation
Satan -- the Destroyer -- Attack on Job -- pgs. 12-20
Third Confrontation
Satan -- the Ruler -- Attack on David -- pgs.. 21-29 Fourth Confrontation Satan -- the Accuser -- Attack on Joshua -- pgs.. 30-37 Extra Messages Putting Our Adversary to Flight -- pgs.. 39-42 Dont Give Satan A Beachhead -- pgs.. 43-47 Christs Conquest of Satan On Our Behalf -- pgs. 48-51
Copyright 2000,
First Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Deceiver

(Message Number One)
Satans Attack of Eve. . . As the Deceiver!

(Message and notes by Dr. Ed Watke, Jr.)
The purpose of this series of messages is to share in detail about Satan and the strategy he uses to wreck your Christian life and (if possible) to destroy you. There are four persons in the Old Testament who had a direct confrontation with Satan. Lord willing, we will look at these over a period of time on Sunday evenings! From their experience we will learn about: the targets Satan aims at in your life, the weapons he uses to attack you, the purposes that he wants to achieve, the defenses God has provided for you. What we will be sharing is like a manual of arms for the Christian soldier. These are not devotional messages, but deadly serious material for the dedicated Christian who is on the battlefield and wants to know how to win over the enemy. These truths will be of little value unless they are put into practice. This series will deal with essentials -- with rock-bottom fundamentals -- of what God teaches us in His Word about Christian warfare. Satan will do everything he can to keep you from benefiting from this series of messages. He will distract you, detour you and he will seek to confuse you, or perhaps even make you critical so you do not apply truth. Remember, Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world. (I Jh 4:4) For he delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son. (Col. 1:13) Major Texts: John 8:40-44; Rev. 12:9; II John 7; Genesis 3:1-7
I. Satans Target -- Is Your MIND:

A . When Satan wanted to lead the first man and woman into sin, he started by attacking the womans mind. Read I Cor. 11:3. 1 . W h y would Satan want to attack your mind? Because your mind is the part of the i m a g e of God where God communicates with you and reveals His will to you. Because everything that comes into our lives comes through the mind. God never by-passes the mind. . . neither does S a t a n ! Satan will use every means at his disposal to change the thinking of an individual. 2 . Consider these portions that clearly set forth the importance of the mind.
Copyright 2000, Revival In The Home Ministries

a . Col. 3: 9-10 b. Eph. 4: 17-24 c. Rom. 12: 2 d. Phil. 4:8
B. If Satan can get you to believe a lie, then he can begin to work in your life to lead you into sin. 1 . Satans desire is to control your thinking so he can control your actions. 2 . Satan does not spend his time on peripheral things; he concentrates on his goal -- to control what you believe. II Cor. 10:3-5; Jh 8:32 3 . This is why we must apply Philippians 4:8. not allow it to enter your mind.) (If the thought is not true, do
4 . Proverbs 23:7 means: For as he thinks within himself, so he is. The doctor says, You are what you eat. The Bible says, You are what you think. Satan knows the tremendous power of your mind, and he tries to capture it for himself. 5 . Consider Isaiah 26:3; Romans 8:5-8; and Psalm 15:1-2.
II. Satans Weapon -- Is His LIES:

A . Satan came to Eve as the serpent, the subtle deceiver. (See Rev. 12:9; Jh 8:44.) Satan used certain steps to get Eve to believe his lies. 1 . He Questioned Gods Word: Gen. 3:1-6
a . Indeed. . . has God said? He did not deny whether God had spoken, he simply questioned whether God had really said what Eve thought He had said. b . Satan was suggesting: You owe it to yourself to rethink what God said, Perhaps you misunderstood what He said. c . Satan was also questioning whether God is good or not. He was implying, If God was good to you, really loved you, would He keep something good from you? 2 . He Denied Gods Word: a . You surely shall not die! It is but a short step from questioning Gods Word to denying it. b . If Eve just had not listened to Satans words she would never have fallen into the trap of denying Gods truth. 3 . He Substituted his own lie: a . Satan desired for Eve to feel that by taking of the fruit she would be like God. b . They were already created in the image of God, but Satan tempted them with an even great privilege -- to be like God! c . This, of course, was Satans ambition (as Lucifer, Gods angelic servant). (Isa. 14:12-14) d . As a created being, he desired to be worshiped and served like the Creator. Copyright 2000, Revival In The Home Ministries 4

e . It was this attitude that led him to rebel against God, to seek to establish his own kingdom. Yes, man desires to be his own God, his own master. (Rom. 1:25) f . You will be like God! -- motivates and controls much of our world today. B. How did Eve respond to Satans approach? three mistakes that led her into sin. 1 . She took away from Gods Word: Gen. 3:2 She responded by making
a , She omitted the word, freely. Gods original word in Genesis 2:16 was, From any tree of the garden you may eat freely. b . We get the impression that Eve caught Satans subtle suggestion, God is holding out on you! c . When you start to question or forget the grace of God and the goodness of God, you will find it much easier to disobey the will of God. 2 . She added to Gods Word: Gen. 3:2
a . We do not find the words or touch it, in Gods original command. b . Not only did Eve make Gods original word less gracious by omitting the word -- freely, but she also made the command more grievous by added the words -- not touch it. c . Gods commands are not grievous (I John 5:3). Satan wants us to think that Gods commands are burdensome, and that he has something better to offer. 3 . She changed Gods Word: Gen. 3:2
a . God did not say, lest you die, for He said, For in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die. (Gen. 2:17) b . The penalty for disobedience as presented by the enemy did not seem as harsh, therefore, Eve could consider forsaking Gods will and obeying Satans will. c . When we fall into the first traps (# 1 and 2 above) we are wide open for the devils final trick. He merely urged Eve to consider the tree apart from Gods Word. Get a good look at it! See it as it really is! It was good for food. . . a delight to the eyes. .. desirable to make one wise. Gen. 3:16) She had to make a choice: Gods Word or Satans word. She rejected Gods Word, believed Satan, and sinned. You and I suffer from the same consequences of such a choice! And we fall the same way. . . we seemly do not learn from history. . . from Gods revelation!
III.
GOD Accomplishes His Will On Earth Through TRUTH! SATAN Accomplishes His Purposes On Earth Through LIES!
A . What About Gods Truth? 1 . When the child of God believes Gods truth, then the Spirit of God can work

in power in that life, for the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, (Jh 16:13)
2 . Christ said, Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. (Jh 8:32) 3 . Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and God is the God of all truth! (Jh 14:6) (The opposite is seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, that are propagated by demons. He seeks to control what men believe! ( I Tim. 4:1) B. What about Satans lies? 1 . When a person believes a lie, then Satan goes to work in that life; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. (Jh 8:44) Faith in Gods truth leads to victory; faith in Satans lies leads to defeat! 2 . Satan is not going to advertise: This is a lie! He is the serpent, the deceiver, and he always masquerades his lies as Gods truth! (See II Cor. 11:13-14) 3 . Satan is a c o u n t e r f e i t e r . . . an imitator: a . There are, therefore, counterfeit Christians, dangers among false brethren -- II Cor. 11:26; for the tares are the sons of the evil one. (Matt. 13:38) b . There is a counterfeit gospel. (Gal. 1:8) c . There are counterfeit ministers of the gospel. d . There is a counterfeit righteousness. (II Cor. 11:14-15)
(Rom. 10:3)
e . There is even a counterfeit church of Satan. (Rev. 2:9) f . And this counterfeit church has counterfeit doctrines. (I Tim. 4:1) 4 , All of this will end in the coming or appearance of the counterfeit Christ -the Anti-Christ! He will claim for Satan the worship and service of the whole world. (I Thess. 2:8-10; Rev. 13:8) C. What About the Importance of Your Thinking? 1 . Our thinking is the foundation of our choices, our attitudes, and emotions. 2 . Either our minds are under Gods control, as we think Gods thoughts -- His Word. . . or our minds are open to delusions, Satanic input, lies, sinful choices, and human reasoning. 3 . We are what we put into our hearts (Matt 12:33-35), but we cant put any thing into our hearts except by the thinking process. 4 . So, we become in character what we are by what we think upon!

(Phil. 4:8)
5 . All the counterfeit things Satan uses can only have sway, power, or c control in our lives because in the process of thinking we embrace that which is spurious, sinful, anti-God, anti-Bible and wrong. 6 . W h o and w h a t has control of your thinking? To what degree do you think Gods thoughts? Does His Word p e r m e a t e your mind and heart? ____________________________________________________________________ Yes, Satans target is your mind. . . and His weapon is lies! . . . What is his purpose? This we will see in the next message!
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Copyright 2000,
First Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Deceiver

(Message Number Two)
Satans Purpose Through His Lies And Our Defense!

Introduction: There are reasons why Satan lies to us. In this message we will look at the purposes the devil has in targeting our minds and hence our hearts! REMEMBER, there are four persons in the Old Testament who had a direct confrontation with Satan. Satan had a distinct purpose in each one of these confrontations! From their experience we will learn about: the targets Satan aims at in your life, the weapons he uses to attack you, the purposes that he wants to achieve, the defenses God has provided for you. ____________________________________________________________________ What will you do with the truths you receive? Do you even recognize what Satan does to control your thinking so you believe lies instead of Gods truth? ____________________________________________________________________ How will you respond to what Satan seeks to do in your life? Will you allow the devil to distract you or detour you? Will you allow him to confuse you, or perhaps even make you critical so you do not apply truth? Remember, Satan is a deceiver, a liar, a stealer, a destroyer, an enemy!! ____________________________________________________________________ We have looked at Satan as a deceiver. . . now look at this purpose:
I. SATANS PURPOSE IS TO MAKE YOU IGNORANT OF GODS WILL?

Satan Attacks Gods Word Because Gods Word Reveals Gods Will! (Psa. 119:105; 119-11; Psa. 40:8; John 8:32-32; II Cor. 10:3-5)
A . Apart from Gods Word, we have no sure understanding of the WILL of God. 1 . The will of God is Gods express purpose for our daily lives. 2 . The will of God is also the expression of Gods love for us.
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(Psa. 33:11) 8

a . Gods will for you comes from Gods heart. (Acts 22:13-14) b . Gods will is not an impersonal thing, but a very personal matter with the Lord. He wants us to know His will. (Col. 4:12) c . He understands all about you -- yes, each of His children -- their nature, their names, their needs and He tailors his plans accordingly. 3 . God desires that you might also understand His will. (Eph. 5:17)
a . God wants the understanding of His will to fill us and control us. (Col. 1:9) b . Gods will ought to be our delight. (Eph. 6:6) c . His will is not grievous, nor just a duty, but to know and do His will ought to bring great joy. (Compared to Jesus in John 4:34; Hebrews 12:1-2.) d . We need to stand perfect and fully assured in the will of God. (Col. 4:12) B. Satan works to deter us from Gods will. 1 . Satan desires for you to be ignorant of the will of God. 2 . He will seek to rob you of all the glorious blessings God has planned for your life and especially those things already yours. (Eph. 1:3-12; 2:5-7) 3 . He will work to get you to make bad decisions, get involved in sinful practices, to think wrong thoughts, to hold on to lies instead of truth, and to build the wrong kind of life. (And you will then encourage others to go wrong by your influence.) 4 . Tragic consequences DO take place when people are out of Gods will. 5 . Christians who are ignorant of Gods will (or stubbornly disobey) will lose their e n j o y m e n t of Gods peace and power. (I John 2:15-17; Col. 3:15-17)
II. Your ONLY DEFENSE Is the inspired Word of God. . . This IS OUR DEFENSE!
Only the inspired Word of God can reveal and defeat the devils lies. You cannot reason with Satan, nor (as Eve discovered) can you even safely converse with the devil. You are no match for Satan. Mans wisdom is no match for Satans snares, cunning, deceitfulness, darts or wiles. We have only one defense -- that is the sure Word of God. (Psa. 119:9-11; 1:1-3) A . Consider Christs sure defense. 1 . The weapon that Christ used when He faced Satan was His Word. (Matt. 4:1-11, vs. 4) Can we stand without it? 2 . Our Lord did not use His divine power to answer or defeat Satan -- but He used the same weapon we have -- the powerful Word of God. (Heb. 4:12)

3 . Jesus was led by the Spirit and filled by the Spirit. (Luke 4:18) to be filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit! B. If we are to have victory over Satans devices. 1 . We must K N O W the Word of God. a . The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will enable us to wield that sword effectively. (Eph. 6:10-18) b . If you and I are to defeat Satan, then we m u s t depend on the Word of God. c . None of us need to be ignorant of Gods Word. We can take time to read it, meditate upon it, study it and then apply it to daily life. d . This will not just happen -- we must make time for it. 2 . We must MEMORIZE the Word of God. a . Christ did not have a Bible with Him, but three times he quoted from the book of Deuteronomy when He answered Satan. (Matt. 4) b . Adults need to memorize Gods Word even more than children do. c . Psalm 119:9-11; 37:23, 31; 40:8 3 . We must MEDITATE on the Word of God. a . Here is a lost art! Meditation is to the soul what digesting food is to the body. (Joshua 1:8) b . We must delight in the Word, and thus meditate upon it. (Psalm 1:2-3) c . Psalm 119: 72, 103, 114, 127, 147, 148, 4 . We must USE the Word of God. a . Our minds must become a spiritual computer; saturated with Scripture, able to apply truth immediately when tempted and tested by Satan. b . The Holy Spirit will bring to mind those portions we have made ours. (John 14:26) c . The Holy Spirit will enable you to use the Word of God in your battle against the devil. He will make you aware when Satan is using lies to aid his cause is YOU WALK with Him. (Gal. 5:16-17, 24) d . Remember that Satan also is able to quote Scripture. He knows it better than we do. C. Some warnings for our lives: 1 . God promises to protect us O N L Y when we are obedient to Him. (I Jh 2:2-5) 2 . If we foolishly go our own way, God is not obligated to care for us. 3 . We must take all of Scripture into account, comparing spiritual things with spiritual lest we become prey to false teachings and ideas. 4 . We must have a g r a s p of Scripture if we are to detect Satans lies and
We too are
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d e f e a t them. 5 . We must also be very careful we are not embracing falsehood for truth. Conclusions: 1 . Do you spend time daily reading the Word of God? 2 . Do you m e d i t a t e upon the Word so it can sink into your heart and mind? 3 . Do you have a memorization method whereby you learn it, and also can recall it? 4 . Do you automatically find yourself thinking Bible when you are tempted? 5 . Do you find yourself able to detect Satans lies? 6 . Are there any l i e s right now, in your mind, that you are believing? 7 . Do you know Gods will for your life? Are you living it? 8 . Do you delight in His will for you? 9 . Are you practicing lies, or are you truth telling? (Eph. 4:15, 25)
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2nd Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Destroyer

(Message Number Three)
Satans Attack On Jobs Body -- Our Body!

Remember, we are learning about: the targets Satan aims at in your life, the weapons he uses to attack you, the purposes that he wants to achieve, the defenses God has provided for you. ____________________________________________________________________
If Satan cannot defeat you by deceiving your mind. . . he will try to destroy your body! In this study of the second person who had a direct confrontation with the devil we see how Satans aim is also to attack the body! As the serpent, he deceives, as the lion (I Pet. 5:8) he devours. Often when we resist his deceit, then he will attack the body. JOB experienced this attack!
____________________________________________________________________ I. SATANS TARGET -- Your Body! A . Job is the prime example of this kind of attack: 1 . He lost the fruit of his body -- his children. 2 . He lost the means to sustain his body -- his flocks, herds, and wealth. 3 . He lost the health of his body -- when he contracted a loathsome disease. 4 . He even lost his wifes support as she counseled him to curse God and die. 5 . He lost the support of so called friends, as they believed his problem was hidden wickedness in his life. Satan did a thorough job of attacking Jobs body and all that related to it! B. The examples of Satans attack upon the bodies of various people is seen over and over again in the gospels. 1 . Satan, through his demon helpers, attacked and sought to destroy the lives of many. Has he changed? . . . I think not! 2 . He caused one man to be dumb. (Matt. 9:32,33) (Bk of Job, chap 1 - 2)
3 . He even attacked a child and tried to get him to destroy himself in the water and in the fire. (Matt. 17:14-18) 4 . He caused a woman to be bent over and disabled. (Luke 13:11-17)
5 . Christ went about doing good, healing all who were oppressed of the devil,
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(Acts 10:38) You cant escape the awesome fact that Satan wants to attack and destroy the body! Why Does Satan Attack the Christians Body? (A number of reasons is evident!) A . Because, to begin with, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit! (I Cor. 6:19-20; Phil. 1:20,21) 1 . God is invisible, the world cannot see Him. 2 . Jesus Christ has returned to heaven and cannot be seen. 3 . The Christian can be seen and it is our conduct in the body that glorifies and exalts the Lord. (Matt. 5:16) Satan wants to defeat any ministry that takes place in the use of our bodies for Gods glory and honor. God wants to use your body as the vehicle for revealing Himself to a lost and dying world. Unconverted people are not likely to read the Bible to learn about God . . . but they will read our lives. (I Pet. 2:9) When Satan attacks the body, he is attacking the one means that God has of revealing His grace and love to a lost world. Creation reveals the power, wisdom, and glory of God. . . but Christians reveal (in their body) the grace and love of God. B. Secondly, your body is the tool God uses! (Rom. 6:12, 13) 1 . When God wanted the Ark built, He used the skill of Noah and family. 2 . When He wanted the tabernacle built, He used the h a n d s and m i n d s of Bezalel and Oholiab and their helpers. (Exod. 36:1) 3 . Jesus used the h a n d s of the disciples to feed the 5,000. 4 . He would use our lips, tongues, feet, etc. to share the gospel story. 5 . Satan knows he can attack the bodies of Gods children and put them out of commission. The Greek word for instruments in Romans 6:13 could be translated tools, or even w e a p o n s ! 6 . Just as Christ took a body. . . so the Holy Spirit needs our bodies! (Consider Acts 9:6-16 and the attacks on Pauls person as shared in the book of Acts.) 7 . Never underestimate the importance of your body or minimize the need for the care of your body. 8 . The Christian who is careless about the care of his health and safety is also playing right into the hands of the d e s t r o y e r -- Satan! C. The third reason is: Your body is Gods treasury! (II Cor. 4:7; I Tim. 6:20; II Tim. 1:14) 1 . When God saved you, He put the treasure of eternal life within your body You have the very life of God within you!
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2 . God did not give you this great treasure simply to protect it! An earthen vessel is not the safest place for a treasure! He gave you this treasure that He might invest it through you in the lives of others. (II Tim. 2:2; I Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9,10) D. Satan attacks the body. . . because it is Gods testing ground! But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (disqualified). (I Cor. 9:27) 1 . We are to run the race (Heb. 12:1), but we are to run according to the rules that God has laid down. We are to run the race of a dedicated, holy, surrendered life! 2 . Satan can rob you of your rewards by attacking you in the use of your body and getting you to break the rules. a . It is not a matter of salvation -- but of r e w a r d s for faithful service. b . We shall all give account of o u rse l ve s unto God (Rom. 14:12; I Cor. 3:11-16) c . We shall all s t a n d before the Judgment Seat of Christ and give account of everything done in the body, whether good or bad. (II Cor. 5:10) d . Consider how Samson used his body, or Solomons failure! 3 . We are to so use our bodies that we will not be ashamed at His coming. (I Jh. 2:28) ____________________________________________________________________ Your body is important to God! We must care for the body and use it to the glory of God! Anything in our lives that keeps us from doing our best must be abandoned. As a mechanic cares for his tools, so we must care for the body in a Biblical, God-honoring way. (Rom. 12:1-2) ____________________________________________________________________ II. SATANS WEAPON -- Is Suffering! A . Why? Satan wants to control the circumstances around the body so the believer will suffer! 1 . He wants to touch the body and create suffering. 2 . This is seen in Jobs life! He lost his children, his wealth, and the favor of his wife, friends, and neighbors. Then Satan attack his body with a horrible disease! B. In all of this. . . God is always in control! (Lk. 22:31, 32)
1 . Satan could not attack Gods possessions until God gave him permission. 2 . He could not touch Jobs body without Gods consent. 3 . Satan cannot touch the life of a saint of God without Gods consent, this ought to bring great comfort to the Christian. God must o r d a i n it for
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our good, and for His glory. (I Pet. 5:10)
4 . The one thing God cannot control -- is H O W we RESPOND to suffering. It is here that Satan will gain his purpose! We make the choice of how we respond to the suffering life brings! C. There is natural suffering we experience simply because we are humans! 1 . We cant prevent the gradual breakdown of the body as we grow older, although we seek to delay it. a . We are subject to sickness and injury, b . we lose loved ones and friends as death claims them, c . we find ourselves slowing down when we wish we could speed up. 2 . The inconvenience and even the pain, of being a weak human being in a dangerous world cannot be blamed on the devil. All of creation groaneth together because of the bondage of sin. (Rom. 8:28-29) D. God sometimes permits His children to suffer that He might Discipline them. 1 . Our Heavenly Father loves us too much to allow us to be a rebel. 2 . He chastens us that we might conform to His will. 3 . The word chastening means child-training! 4 . The purpose of discipline is to mature of His child. to persecute us, but to perfect us. Gods purpose is not (Heb. 12:5,6)
5 . Chastening is not the work of an angry judge as he punishes a criminal, but the work of a loving Father as he perfects a child. 6 . When David did not confess his sin for about a year. . . David suffered physically, emotionally, and spiritually. (Psa. 32:1-5) 7 . God often allows suffering in our lives to simply build us up and to help us to mature and be more Christ-like. E. Some storms of life come even though we are obedient. (Matt. 14:22-33) 1 . They were not in the storm because they had disobeyed the Lord. 2 . Christ was testing and perfecting their faith. 3 . He used the event to show them how weak their faith was.
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Conclusions: 1 . We sometimes suffer simply because we are human. 2 . We suffer, too because we disobey the Lord and need to be chastened. 3 . We also suffer that God might perfect our faith and help us grow. 4 . But there is a kind of suffering that is Satans weapon -- that is what Job experienced. While all the calamities seem to have a perfectly natural explanation -- Satan, at Gods permission, was behind all of it. 5 . When God permits Satan to light the furnace of suffering, He always keeps His own hand on the thermostat! Job did not know what was going on behind the scenes. He had no idea God was permitting him to suffer that Satan might be silenced. 6 . Jobs home and body were only the arena in which two combatants -- God and Satan --were struggling against each other. Satan wanted to use Jobs body to Defeat God, and God wanted to use Jobs body to defeat Satan. Glory, Job walked by faith! You cant control the fact of suffering -- but you can control the result. . . your response!
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2nd Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Destroyer

(Message Number Four)
Satans Purpose By His Attack And Our Defense!

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Remember, we are still learning about: 1 . the targets Satan aims at in your life, 2. the weapons he uses to attack you, 3 . the purposes that he wants to achieve, 4. the defenses God has provided for you. ____________________________________________________________________ Why should Satan attack our bodies? What is his goal anyway? Dont we often sense that Satan hates Gods people and will do all he can to defeat them? If he cant get us to fail through the use of lies, then he will seek to defeat us another way. . . through our bodies! ____________________________________________________________________ The only verse in the New Testament that refers to J o b is found in James 5:11: Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 1 . This verse indicates that Satans purpose was to try and get Job to be i m p a t i e n t and give up. (Read Job, chapters one and two) 2 . Satan works to bring fainting fits into our lives.
I. Satans PURPOSE -- Is To Bring IMPATIENCE Into Your Life:

A . Impatience is a mark of immaturity. Unless we have patience we will never learn the many important truths God wants us to learn. These truths will lead us into a deeper and more fruitful ministry. Patience is a very important virtue! 1 . James 1:2-4 teaches us how to respond to trials. 2 . Children are usually very impatient. They cannot sit still long enough to get the things done that need to be done. How long do we have to wait? is a stock question of a child. 3 . We are often very impatient in spite of Gods promises and care. B. Impatience is also a mark of unbelief! (Isa. 29:16; Heb. 6:12-15; 11:6) that
1 . When you find yourself restless, nervous, anxious to do something, you can be sure that you are not trusting your Heavenly Father to work. 2 . F a i t h and p a t i e n c e go hand in hand; they go together.
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3 . If we really trust God, then we will wait on Him to accomplish what He has promised. 4 . Walking by faith is what God desires! (Heb. 11:6; Heb. 10:38; I Thess. 3:5, 10; Gal. 2:20) Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11;
D. Impatience is also a mark of fleshly living. . . trusting the old nature. 1 . The flesh nature (or sin nature) is always restless, impatient, and dependent upon self. But the fruit of the Spirit is . .. love, joy, peace, long suffering, (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, or self-control. 2 . If you are an i m p u l s i v e , impatient believer, you can be reasonably sure that you are NOT walking in the Spirit, but you are living by the energy of the flesh -- the sin nature. (Read, study -- Gal. 5:16-17, 24) 3 . Impatience leads to costly mistakes, to living outside of Gods will. (Consider Abrahams decision to take Hagar as a wife. Consider King Sauls decision not to wait for the prophet Samuel to come.) E. God wants to make you patient. 1 . Patient enduring is enriching. Satan tempts us that he might bring out the worst in us, but God permits it that He might bring out the best in us. (Job. 23:10; I Pet. 5:10) 2 . We cannot learn patience by reading a book or hearing a sermon. It comes by patiently going through the trials that God brings to us. a . God seeks to mature us, so He puts His tools on our lives. b . God seeks to build our faith so He assigns trials to us. c . God desires we would w a l k in the power of the Spirit. When life is making you uncomfortable, your family problems, friends, finances, or feelings are making you frustrated, angry, impatient -- then beware. It is a great opportunity for Satan to work in your life and you are in danger of making the wrong decision in your impatience and potential anger.
I. Your DEFENSE -- the IMPARTED GRACE of GOD:

A . Gods Grace was sufficient for Job, and for Paul, (so for you): See II Corinthians 12:9 where Paul learned of the wonderful grace of God. 1 . God did not answer Pauls prayer -- but He did meet Pauls need. a . It is not wrong to pray for deliverance when trials come, but God may not give it to us. . . but give us grace instead. b . Christ also prayed three times in the garden... that this cup may pass from me. But instead He drank the cup of Gods wrath upon Himself as He paid for our sin debt. (Jh 18:11; Matt. 26:39) 2 . It is the i m p a r t e d grace of God that gives us victory when Satan attacks Copyright 2000, Revival In The Home Ministries 18

the body with suffering.
(Acts 13:43; 14:26; 20:24; I Cor. 15:10; Heb. 12:15)
3 . Only by Gods grace can we patiently endure. a. b. c. d. e.
(I Pet. 5:10;
II Cor. 9:8)
He is the God of all grace. (Rom. 5:15; I Pet. 4:10) The Holy Spirit who indwells us is the Spirit of grace. (Heb. 10:29) Gods throne is the throne of grace. (Heb. 4:16) His Word is the Word of His grace. (Acts 20:32) Gods grace is not some mystical substance, but it is His provision for our every need. Grace is Gods bountiful supply of our every need for grace cannot be deserved, or earned -- it can only be received!
B. Every spiritual blessing we have comes about by Gods grace. 1 . We are saved by grace -- Eph. 2:7-9 2. We have grace for serving -I Cor. 15:9 II Cor. 8:1-9; Col. 3:16; 9:7-9 4:6
3 . We have grace for giving sacrificially --
4 . We receive grace for singing, and speaking -5 . God gives us grace for suffering -I Pet. 5:10
C. What steps should you take when Satan attacks your body? 1 . Immediately submit yourself to God. If you rebel, you will give Satan another foothold in your life. Tell God exactly how you feel, but also tell him that you love Him and will trust Him, come what may. (Job. 13:15; Phil. 1:20) 2 . Thank God for the trials. (Eph. 5:20; I Thess. 5:18; II Cor. 12:9)
This does not mean that you enjoy suffering, but only that you rejoice because you are suffering in the will of God and you know that He is in control. Satan hates it when believers thank God in their trials. (Acts 16:14... story of Paul, Silas in jail.) 3 . Spend much time in the Word of God. (Acts 20:32; Psa. 1:1-2; Josh. 1:8) It is the Word of His Grace (Acts 20:32), and the gracious promises of God will strengthen you. Remember -- we do not live on explanations, but on promises, Gods promises. (II Cor. 1:20; II Pet. 1:4; II Cor. 7:1) a . God did not tell Abraham all that He was doing, but He did give Abraham all the promises he needed to keep going, and walking in Gods divine plan. (Gen. 15:1, 5-7; Rom. 4:20-21) Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy Word. . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes. (Psa. 119:67,71) b . You will discover in Gods Word the promises and encouragements you need for each day.
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4 . Look for ways to glorify Christ with your body. Phil. 1:20)
(I Pet. 4:16;
a . Remember, God wants YOU to use your body to glorify Him. (I Cor. 10:31) b . Satan wants to use your body to disgrace the Lord. Patient suffering always glorifies God. (Unsaved people cant understand how Christians can suffer and not complain or rebel. (Compare with the book of Philippians.) c . You can grow in patient endurance. You can experience Gods grace and love within your life. d . His presence w i t h i n can more than compensate for the inconvenience and suffering without. Circumstances can work for you. . . not against you! e . You cannot control the origin or the o p e r a t i o n of suffering, but with Gods help you can control the o u t c o m e . (II Cor. 12:9-11) Gods grace is there!
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Third Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Ruler

Satan Seeks to Rule. . . As He Attacks David!

- Fifth Message Introduction: If I were to ask you, What was Davids greatest sin? you would probably reply, Committing adultery with Bathsheba and then having her husband killed in battle. We would all agree that his sins of adultery and murder, coupled with deceit, were great sins worthy of Divine punishment and not to be treated lightly. Because of Davids adultery, four persons died: Uriah, the baby that was born, and Amnon, and Absalom, his sons. But when David committed another sin that had even greater consequences, 70,000 people died. When David confessed his sin of adultery he said, I have sinned. (Psa. 51:4) But when he confessed this other sin, he said, I have sinned greatly. (I Chron. 21:8) What was Davids other sin? And what part did Satan play in it? (I Chronicles 21: 1,2,7,8,14-19) Consider These Scriptures: I Timothy 3:6-7 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. . . . lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. I Peter 5:5b - 6 Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Prov. 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
I. SATANS TARGET -- YOUR WILL -- (Davids will in this text!)

A . Satans goal is always to get to the w i l l -- and to control it! 1 . Satan may begin by deceiving the mind (as with Eve), or by attacking body, (as with Job). 2 . But, he ultimately must get to the will and effect our choices. 3 . In Davids case, Satan by-passed the mind and any attack on the body and directly attacked Davids will -- and Satan won. 4 , David had his eyes wide open when he deliberately rebelled against God; he was not deceived.
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5 . David had won many battles, had many notable victories, and enjoyed great popularity and much success. a . David was all the more open to Satans deception because of his state of mind. b . David was doubtless self-satisfied, self-fulfilled, and self-dependent! B. We must never underestimate the importance of the WILL in the Christian life. 1 . Many believers have an intellectual religion that satisfies the mind, but never changes the life. (They can discuss the Bible, argue about it, have their pet ideas about it, but when it comes to living it -- they FAIL) 2 . Other Christians have an e m o t i o n a l religion that is made up of changing feelings. (Unless they have one emotional high after another, they feel God has forsaken them . . . they live for feelings, for experiences!) 3 . God wants the whole of the inner man to be devoted to Him! a . An intelligent m i n d b. a fervent h e a r t , c. a surrendered w i l l
4 . But the Christian life is basically a matter of the W I L L which is activated by a surrendered mind. . . thinking right! a . We are to love God with all our heart (emotions), our strength (will), and our mind (intellect). b . Our obedience ought to be intelligent and it ought to be motivated by a warm and loving heart. ____________________________________________________________________ The Holy Spirit wants to instruct the mind through the Word, inspire the heart with true and holy emotions, and then strengthen the will to do the will of God. ____________________________________________________________________ 5 . Your will is important because your will helps to determine your character. a . Decisions mold character, and decisions chart the direction of your life. b . It is the will that must direct the life. (You may blame your circumstances or other people or your feelings. . . but this is only an excuse.) c . You were saved by being willing to accept Christ, (Jh 1:12) and you may grow and serve only by saying. . . Thy will, Lord. What wilt thou have me to do? ____________________________________________________________________ C o n s i d e r : Many Christians have the idea that Christian love is a feeling. It is not, it is a willing. We are commanded to love one another, and God cannot command your feelings. He can only command your will! He has every right to command your will! Christian love simply means that we treat others the way God treats us, and this involves the will! ____________________________________________________________________
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C. Satans original sin was a sin of the will! 14:12-14, I will!) (Five times he said in Isaiah
1 . Satan seeks to duplicate this sin in our lives -- I will do as I please, I will do what pleases me. . . I will do my will, fulfill what I want! 2 . Satan is the ruler of this world system (I Jh 2:15-17; 5:19) and you and I are rebellious aliens, toward Satan, living in his territory. 3 . Because we are citizens of heaven, we must obey heavens laws and submit to heavens Lord. (Eph. 2:19; I Pet. 2:9-10) Satan wants us to worship him, and submit to his will and desires. What weapon does Satan use?
II. SATANS WEAPON --- PRIDE!

A . Satans seeks to use pride in our lives -- to inflate our egos -- to entice us to rebel against God. What does God say? 1 . Prov. 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy. . . 2 . Prov. 11:2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. 3 . I Jh 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. B. David was feeling important when Satan approached him with the suggestion that he number the people. 1 . I Chronicles 20 records a great number of military victories. (David had even captured the valuable crown that was placed on Davids head.) 2 . David had won many battles, many victories were his -- but he lost the war. 3 . Satan used these victories to work at inflating Davids ego and entice him to rebel against God and enter into an act that would bring failure. 4 . Davids sin with Bathsheba was a sin of the flesh, this sin of numbering the people was a sin of the spirit. (Consider II Cor. 7:1) C. Pride is so often a sin we grapple with as Christians. ____________________________________________________________ Local churches are quick, at times, to judge those who fall into sins of the flesh, but they are not so quick to judge and discipline those church members or officers who are guilty of sins of the spirit: pride, stubbornness, (which is so often passed off as conviction) , gossip, jealousy, competition, bragging about results, etc. Believers should not get involved with either sins of the flesh or the spirit, but those who are not guilty of fleshly sins, (such as adultery, gluttony, etc.) should not condemn others, for they themselves may be guilty of many sins of the spirit -pride, jealousy, envy, anger, etc. The prodigal son (Luke 15) was guilty of sins of Copyright 2000, Revival In The Home Ministries 23

the flesh, but his unforgiving, proud, critical brother was guilty of the sins of the spirit. ____________________________________________________________________ 1 . To a degree, pride enters into all of Satans temptations. . .Ye, shall be as God! was part of Satans offer to Eve. 2 . When Satan tempted our Lord, he tried to appeal to human pride. (Matt. 4:8-9) 3 . This is one of the great dangers of success. Those to whom much is given fight intensive spiritual battles against pride. 4 . Pride is a weapon that Satan wields with great skill. This is why we read of this in I Peter 5:5-6 along with many other passages. D. After all, why was it so wrong for David to number the people? 1 . Did not God command the numbering of the people in Exodus 30:11-16? 2 . This command of an annual census was a r e m i n d e r to the nation that it had been purchased by God. 3 . Each male twenty years of ago or older had to give half a shekel for ransom money. It was a way of acknowledging Gods great redemption from their bondage in Egypt. 4 . When David numbered the people he did it for his own glory and not for the glory of God. There was no record of redemption money being collected. 5 . It was the kings word and not the Word of God that decreed the census, even Joab (though not a spiritual man) resisted the kings commandment. 6 . It was pride that motivated Davids actions. Satan got hold of Davids ego and led him into sin. (I Timothy 3:6 applies today as does III John 9.) 7 . David brought death and sorrow to Israel simply because he was proud. ____________________________________________________________________ Conclusions: 1 . Pride destroys its millions. Pride is generally behind every kind of sin within relationships. Unbending pride has destroy many a marriage! 2 . Families quarrel, battle, argue, fight, etc., out of pride. 3 . Satan has a great advantage when we give him a special f o o t h o l d by our prideful thoughts, attitudes, actions and reactions. 4 . We ought to m e m o r i z e such verses as: (And seek to live by them!) a . Psalm 51:17 . . . a broken and a contrite heart, oh God, thou wilt not despise.
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b . Psalm 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. c . James 4:6b, 10 . . . God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. d . I Peter 5:5b Yea, all of you be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. e . Prov. 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 5 . Pride is destructive. . . gives an o p e n d o o r to Satans work. . . and often blinds the person to his or her true self and the source of the real problem or what could be called. . . the root problem!
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Third Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Ruler

- Sixth Message -
Satans Purpose. . . and Our Defense As Seen In His Battle Against David!
____________________________________________________________
In all three confrontations it is obvious that Satans purpose is to make us fail concerning Gods will. . .
Like Eve, Satan as the deceiver seeks to make us ignorant of the will of God! Like Job, Satan as the destroyer seeks to make us impatient with Gods will. But if Satan cant deceive your mind, or attack your body (as in Jobs life), he will try to control your will through p r i d e so that you will t h i n k and act independently of the holy will of God! Walking in and living o u t Gods will is the sum total of the Christian life, for it is living by the BOOK -- the Word of God. (Jas. 1:19-22; Mat. 4:4; I Pet. 2:2; Rom. 12:2)
I. SATANS PURPOSE -- THAT DAVID MIGHT ACT INDEPENDENT OF GODS WILL: --- so in our lives!
A . God made man to be interdependent. Man must depend on God -- for in HIM we live, and move, and have our existence. (Acts 17:28-30; James 1:17-18) We must even depend upon our fellow man to stay alive. B. Satan wants man to be independent. 1 . The essence of sin (because of pride, and living the self-life) is to seek to be independent of God. (Consider II Chron. 26:15, 16; Deut 6:10-12) 2 . Man makes himself the creator, and he worships the creature and creation rather than God. (Rom. 1:25) 5 . Man believes Satans lie -- Ye shall be like God! 6 . Here is the key statement -- If Satan can get you to act and think independently of Gods will, he can then control your will and hence control your life! a . You will think that you just are acting freely, which is part of Satans deception! b . You will think -- you are free -- but actually you will be acting under orders from the ruler of this world -- under his control.
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c . What does it mean to act totally dependent upon Gods will? It means to put ourselves totally under the direction of the Word of God. We think Gods thoughts! We act according to His Word. We make decisions based on the Thus saith the Lord!
7 . Your will (directed by right thinking) is the most important thing in the believers life. Are YOU living a self-directed life or a God-directed life? 8 . Whenever you or I act independently of Gods will, we act in direct disobedience to the will of God and we are displaying pride. (Everything in our lives is important to God!) (I Jh 2:15-17) a . We might even be trying to use God to get our ends, or our desires. b . We might be so deceived we think right is wrong and wrong it right. c . We will experience reaping what we have sown regardless of how well we seek to deny truth! d . We will REAP more than we have sown, we will not control how we will reap, and we will not control what we will reap. C. What is to guide us? (Matt. 4:4; II Tim. 3:15-17; II Tim. 4:2-4)
1 . Guided by -- Gods precepts, principles, promises, commands, prohibitions, 2 . Guided by -- directives, yes, His will for our lives. (Study Psalm 119.) a . We need Gods provisions to sustain us physically, b . and we need Gods will and Gods Word to sustain us spiritually. ____________________________________________________________________ Success, the praise of men, and even the blessing of God can so inflate the ego that we think we can get along without God, (or our actions manifest this!) ____________________________________________________________
II. WHAT IS OUR DEFENSE? -- THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD!

A . Pride is such a strong weapon -- Satan is such a strong adversary -only the stronger power of the indwelling Holy Spirit can make victory ours. (Micah 3:8: Acts. 1:8; Acts 6; I Cor. 2:10- 3:1; compare Romans 7 and chapter 8) 1 . We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2:12-13) 2 . Only the Holy Spirit, working in you, can control your will and enable y o u to please God. (Eph. 5:9-10, 18; Rom. 14:16-19) a . We must work out our salvation that is bring the Christian life to completion, to accomplish in character and conduct what God has planned for US. b . The Greek word means to carry out to the goal, to bring to the ultimate conclusion.
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B. God has a definite plan for your life --- for CHARACTER, CONDUCT, and SERVICE. (Eph. 2:8-10; 5:6-15) A walk in pride is a walk in failure! 1 . Our salvation brings a walk in godly works to which we are called. (Eph. 2:10) 2 . Our salvation brings many changes in our lives: (S e e Eph. 5:5-15. )
a . No longer do we cooperate, or go along with the disobedient. (vs.. 5-7) b . We w a l k as children of light, putting away darkness. (vs.8) c . We w a l k in the fruit of the Spirit -- goodness, righteousness, truth. (vs. 9) d . We r e p r o v e things (people) of darkness, rather than cooperate, aid, use, abet, compromise with or encourage further darkness. (or SIN) (vs.. 11-12) C. There are three areas of attack -- the mind, body, will -- and there is only one answer for the Christian -- Romans 12:1-2 1 . We must totally surrender our bodies to the Holy Spirit for HIS control. (Eph. 5:18; Rom. 6:13) a . The only way to conquer is to surrender -- that is, surrender to God. b . The verb present in Romans 12:1 carries the meaning of a once-for-all surrender! c . Make a once-for-all surrender of your mind -- body -- will to God. d . Live in the light, daily, hourly, of that surrender. e . R e a f f i r m that surrender every morning! f . It is the Holy Spirit within who works in us to make possible the proving of the good, acceptable, perfect will of God. (Eph. 5:9; Rom. 14:17-18) g . Read the word of God -- not to set records -- but to allow the Word to bring transformation, change, Christ-likeness to your life! It must transform your mind and control your will! 2 . As the Spirit of Grace, He will give grace to your body when Satan attacks so you will be able to endure suffering. (Ezek. 36:26,27; Gal. 5:25) 3 . As the Spirit of wisdom, He will teach you Gods Word and bring to your mind the Word of God when Satan would attack with his lies. (Jh 14:16-17) 4 . As the Spirit of power, He will empower your will to say NO! to pride. 5 . The Holy Spirit will work in you and through you to defeat the wicked one. 6 . When the Holy Spirit is at work He will p r o d u c e humility and not pride. a . Humility is not thinking meanly of yourself. Im not worth anything! I cant do anything! (Rom. 12:3) BUT b . It is not thinking of yourself at all -- but having your mind on Christ, on His will, thinking as having the mind of Christ. (I Cor. 2:16) c . The h u m b l e person: Copyright 2000, Revival In The Home Ministries 28
knows himself -- recognizes the wickedness of his sin nature. (Rom. 7:18, 24; Jere. 17:9; Isa. 64:6; Isa. 1:4-6, 18-20) he accepts himself -- recognizes in himself he is weak. (Jh 15:5) he yields himself to God. (Rom. 6:11-13) he seeks to be surrendered, honoring Christ in everything. (I Cor. 10:31) Thus, he battles pride -- applying Psa. 51:17; 34:18; James 4:6-10.
____________________________________________________________________ PRIDE IS A HORRIBLE THING. . . in our lives there can be : 1 . Pride of person, 2. Pride of position, 3. Pride of ability, 4 . Pride of possessions, 5. Pride of attainments, 6. Pride of control, 7. A haughty pride, 8. Pride of manipulation of people, 9. A self-protective pride, 10. An unapproachable pride, 11. A know-it-all pride 12. A self-exalting pride, 13. An unsubmissive pride, 14. A spiritual pride. ____________________________________________________________________
Pride is a terrible, sinful, destructive, defeating thing!
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Fourth Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Accuser!

- Seventh Message -
Satan Seeks to Accuse. . . As He Attacks Joshua! ________________________________________

In Zechariah chapter three, we read of a very unusual story of Satan attacking as the accuser of the brethren. (Rev. 12:10) This he does to every saint of God! And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Rev. 12:10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also. . . lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Satan uses every advantage that he can use against us. 1 . Suppose that the believer does not take advantage of his victorious position in Christ. Suppose he refuses to use the spiritual defenses provided... and suppose the believer sins. What then? 2 . You would think that after he has defeated us - attacking our mind, or body, or will -- that would be the end of it! 3 . But NO, then, after we sin, he works to make us doubly defeated -- first defeated because of our failure, our sin -- and then condemns us as unclean because of our sin and failure. 4 . Satan does not leave us to just suffer the consequences of our sin, but he has one more strategy -- to make the disobedient Christian doubly defeated. He sets about to make us accused before God! (Read Zechariah 3:1-7)
I. SATANS TARGET -- YOUR HEART AND CONSCIENCE!

A . The Scene Is In Heaven: 1 . The setting is that of a court-room. 2 . God is the Judge, Joshua, the high priest, is the defendant, and Satan is the prosecutor trying to prove Joshua guilty. 3 . Satan appears to have a case, because Joshua is wearing filthy garments and the high priest was to a l w a y s wear clean clothes.
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3 . The prophet Zechariah had this vision at a time when the nation of Israel had sinned before the Lord. a . The people had returned to Palestine after their Babylonian captivity. b . There was hope that the nation would obey God and serve Him. But, sad to say the nation had not learned their lesson. When you read the prophecies of Zechariah, Haggai, and Malachi, you discover that the Jewish men were divorcing their wives and marrying heathen women, that Jewish merchants were charging their brethren exorbitant interest rates and that even the priests were robbing God and keeping the best of the sacrifices for themselves. c . This explains why Joshuas priestly garments were dirty. d . He represented the people before God and the people were sinful. e . Satan knew that they were sinful, and he p r o t e s t e d to God that Israel should be judged. B. You Can Imagine Satans Arguments. Have you considered your servants in Israel, that they are a rebellious and disobedient people? You chastened them in Babylon, hoping to teach them obedience. Now they have returned to their land by your goodness -- and they are disobeying you again. You are a holy God, and Israel is supposed to be a holy people. If you are as holy and just as you claim, then you must judge Israel. If you do not judge them, then you are not true to your own nature or your own law. Israel is guilty! JUDGE THEM! JUDGE THEM, NOW! C. You Can Imagine How Joshua, the Priest, Felt During All of This Trial! 1 . Certainly, his heart was broken and his conscience was smitten. 2 . What defense did he have? D. When You and I Have Disobeyed God -- when we have sinned, Satan moves in for that finishing stroke -- he attacks us in our heart and conscience. Like: So you are a Christian, he sneers. You are not a very good Christian, You go to church, read your Bible and even seek to serve the Lord. And look what you have done! If your friends at church knew what kind of person you really are, they would throw you out. You act like the scum of the earth. . . why, you love your sin. Do you really think you are going to heaven, ha, dont count on it! You are no good! 1 . See how subtle and merciless Satan really is. (Consider Rev. 12:10.)
2 . Before we sin -- while he tempts us -- he whispers, You can get away with this! Then after we sin he shouts at us, You will never get away with this! 3 . Have you ever heard his hateful voice in your heart and conscience? enough to make a Christian give up in despair!
It is
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II. SATANS WEAPON -- HIS ACCUSATIONS!
A . When Satan Talks To You About God -- He Lies! 1 . B u t when he talks to God about you -- he sometimes tells the truth. 2 . He is the accuser of our brethren -- of you! 3 . He has access to heaven, to the very throne of God, and there he r e m i n d s God of the condition of his saints. He tells on us! To God Satan might say things like: See what Abraham just did! He lied about his wife! Did you see what David just did? He committed adultery with his neighbors wife, and then killed her husband! Judge him! Judge him! B. We Must Understand the Difference Between Satans Accusations -and the Conviction of the Holy Spirit. (I Tim. 1:18-20; Acts 24:16) 1 . A feeling of guilt and shame is good when it comes from the Spirit of God. 2 . When we listen to the devil, it will only lead to regret and remorse and defeat. 3 . When the Spirit of God convicts you, he uses the Word of God in love and seeks to bring you back into fellowship with your Father. 4 . When Satan accuses you, he usually faces you about your own sins in a hateful way, and he seeks to make you feel helpless and hopeless. 5 . Judas listened to the devil and went out and hanged himself. Peter looked at the face of Jesus and wept bitterly, but later came back into fellowship with the Lord. 6 . When you listen to the devils accusations (all of which may be true) you open yourself up to despair and spiritual paralysis. a . You may feel your problems are too big, you are hopeless and you will then come to complete despair. b . You may feel, I am too far gone, I have sinned too much, God will never have me back, I can never be forgiven! c . When you have that helpless, hopeless feeling -- then you can rest assured that Satan is attacking you -- he is acting as the accuser of the brethren -- as the prosecuting attorney. Conclusions: 1 . Why is Christ our high priest? (Heb. 4:14-16) Why do we need an advocate?
2 . Why does Jesus serve as our advocate? (I Jh 2:1-2)
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3 . When we sin we give Satan an opportunity to bring railing accusations against us before the Father. (See the book of Job.) 4 . When we sin we open the door for Satan to slander us, and to point out that even though we have received Christ as our Savior, we have opened our lives to sinning in spite of what Jesus did for us. Do we want to be so c o n d e m n e d before the Father? 5 . When we sense the accusations of the devil within -- in our hearts and consciences -- then it is easy for us to: give up on a walk in holy living, for our condemning hearts bring us to doubt and despair, (I Jh 3:18-22) give up on God using us for His glory for we feel unclean and unworthy, even doubt our salvation. And why live for Him when we feel so undone?
6 . We have given Satan a toe-hold in our hearts and lives.
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Fourth Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Accuser!

(Message and notes by Dr. Ed Watke, Jr.) - Eighth Message -
Satans Purpose and Our Defense As Seen In His Accusation of Joshua!

__________________________________________________________________ 1 . Why do Christians so often feel defeated and dont know why they feel that way? 2 . Why do Christians so readily fall away, feel worthless, and unworthy? 3 . Why do we feel miserable, undone. . . not feel like praying or reading our Bibles? Could it be we often listen to a voice within us telling us that we are no good, unworthy, worthless, unable, and undeserving. So we feel why try? Could it be we dont even recognize the slanderous voice of the enemy who seeks to bring us down? He accuses us within our hearts so we become a prey, a victim to his will and plan of total defeat for us! Do we realize this?
I. SATAN PURPOSE -- TO BRING AN INDICTMENT BY GODS WILL!

A . Satan wants you to feel guilty -- he works at it! 1 . He wants you to experience regret, shame, and remorse -- but not repentance. 2 . He wants to keep accusing you (and does) that you might focus your a . thoughts, attention on yourself and your sins. b . You might fall into the slew of despond and despairing you will give up. 3 . As long as you are feeling guilty, you are u n d e r indictment and you are moving farther and farther away from the Lord. This Satan desires. a . He does not want you to put your eyes on Christ. (Heb. 12:1-4) b . If you once look away by faith to Jesus (Col. 2:6-7), then you will, likely: confess your sins and face them as His child, repent and find cleansing, and restoration of fellowship. Satan will do all he can to see this does not happen! B. You heavenly Father wants you to know that you are forgiven.
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1 . Satan wants you to feel guilty and remain under a dark cloud of guilt. 2 . Satan knows if you are under a dark cloud of guilt and inner shame, then you will not serve God. a . You will be unable to witness effectively, b . And you cannot serve God with power and blessing. 3 . Sin must be dealt with. (Consider the problem in I Corinthians 5, . . . and the message of II Corinthians 2:6, 7, 8, 11) a . But excessive guilt, sorrow and shame can only lead to despair, depression and defeat. b . Sometimes it even leads to destruction or attempted suicide in order to escape Satans railing accusations. How can we escape his railing accusation?
II. YOUR DEFENSE -- THE INTERCEDING SON OF GOD: (I Jh. 1:4-2:2)

It is true that Satan stands at our right hand to resist us and accuse us -BUT another stands. . . the Son of God stands at the right hand of God the Father, there to intercede for us! Glory! Praise God for our Advocate! A . What is Christs present work in glory? What is He doing there?
1 . Our Lord finished His work on earth and then returned to heaven to take up His unfinished work. What is that work? 2 . He has gone to heaven to perfect His saints, to p r e p a r e them for glory, to work in their lives NOW to p r e s e n t them to Himself later. . . consider: . . . Christ also loved the church , and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. . . (Eph. 5:25b-27) It means YOU! Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. (Jude 24,25) Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20, 21) 3 . He m i n i s t e r s (See Romans 5:8-10) to bring about many things in our lives. . . . being justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Copyright 2000, Revival In The Home Ministries 35

son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. a . He works in us to sanctify, to cleanse, to present us without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish. b . He intercedes for us and provides for us the grace that we need when we are tested and tempted. He is able to keep us from falling and perfect us! 4 . If we willingly walk by faith, he will see us through to victory. But if we yield to temptation and sin, then he ministers to us as our A d v o c a t e to forgive us and restore us to fellowship once again. (I Jh 1:7, 9; 2:1) B. What does the heavenly scene from Zechariah chapter three teach us? 1 . Picture once again the courtroom scene in heaven. 2 . God the Judge is on his throne. Joshua the high priest stands before God and is dressed in filthy robes. He is guilty. (In this case he also represents the Israelite nation and their guilt before God because of their disobedience.) 3 . Satan stands at Joshuas right hand to resist him and accuse him. 4 . BUT, Jesus is at Gods right hand to represent Joshua and to restore him!
5 . Possibly this explains why Christ returned to heaven not with scars, but with w o u n d s in his body. Those wounds are the everlasting evidence that He died for us! a . God was merciful and gracious to save us when we first trusted Christ but he is faithful and righteous, to also forgive us when we confess our sins to him. (I Jh 1:9; Rom. 5:8-10) b . He is faithful to keep his promise and he is righteous and just because Christ died for our sins and paid the price of our forgiveness, therefore God, the Father c a n forgive us. 6 . Did God close his eyes to the reality of Joshuas condition, as if it did not matter? No! NO! a . God will never defend his childrens sin -- but he will defend his children. b . Consider the story of Abraham in Egypt! 7 . Think again about the story of Joshua the High Priest. a . There was Satans resistance. The accuser names Joshuas sins at the throne of God and calls for a holy God to judge him. b. There was Gods r e b u k e of Satan. (Zech 3:2) That rebuke is based on Gods grace toward his people. We are saved by grace, kept by grace for every aspect of our relationship with the Father is based on grace.
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c . There was Joshuas restoration! God ordered them to removed the filthy garments and put holy garments upon the high priest. He even put that holy turban on his head, the one with the gold plate at the front that read, Holy unto the Lord. (Read Exod 28:36) God did not even put Joshua on probation! He told him to return to the Temple and carry on his service for the Lord.
8 . Resistance -- rebuke -- restoration: These are necessary when Satan attacks us. We are to resist Satan in the power of Christs Name and by His blood (James 4:7; Rev. 12:10) trust God to r e b u k e Satan, and then receive and know restoration from any sin as we confess the sins Satan uses to accuse us. ________________________________________________________ Conclusions: 1 . Satan will accuse you, but do not listen to him. Turn by faith to Jesus Christ your Advocate, and confess your sins to him. 2 . Depend on what Gods Word says, not on how you feel and rest on the grace of God. He will not forsake you! 3 . Unconfessed sin in our lives gives a foothold for Satan. He can use that sin as a basis for accusations. The longer he accuses, the greater our sins seem to us. 4 . Our unconfessed sin can become so big to us that it covers the face of God and hides his grace and his love. Unconfessed sin brings inner shame, guilt, despair, and discouragement. 5 . When we are under Satans accusations and our own inner condemnatory thoughts we do not experience feelings of conviction that brings us back to God, but feelings of condemnation that convince us that we cannot go back. 6 . Guilt becomes in Satans hand a terrible weapon that destroys our joy, our peace,and our fellowship with God. Our hope fades. We are swallowed up by despair. Then Satans voice says to us, Curse God and die! 7 . Do not listen to the voice of Satan! Instead listen to the voice of God. Turn to the Word of God and listen to what God says, and believe it and act upon it. 8 . Rest assured that your Advocate in heaven is waiting to forgive you and restore you. 9 . Do not delay admitting your sin and confessing it, hasten to Jesus, plead his Word, and rest in his grace.
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- Nineth Message -
Putting Our Adversary To Flight!

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If we are to defeat Satan it is necessary for us to understand h o w we enter into battle, h o w we h a v e victory, and then to w a l k in a the victory God has provided for us. Should any of us attribute any authority to Satan, then we will certainly submit to the authority that we recognize and we will be brought under Satans sway. So, how do we put our enemy to flight?
I. THROUGH OUR POSITION IN CHRIST!

A . Christ By the Act of Creation IS Over All Things! 1 . Gen. 1:1; John 1:1-3
2 . Colossians 1:16 teaches us For by him (that is by Jesus Christ) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him. a . Christ created not only the universe, but the angelic realm as well. b . Lucifer was one of Christs created beings, but r e b e l l e d against the Creator, he withheld s u b m i s s i o n required of him, declared himself independent of God, and led an innumerable company of angels in revolt against God.
B. While on Earth, the Lord Jesus Was Frequently In Conflict With Demons, 1 . These demons are spirit beings; they possessed personality. 2 . Acknowledging Satan as their ruler, they resisted God, Gods program, and they opposed Jesus Christ. (This is still true today!) 3 . Christ delivered men from bondage to Satan, from physical infirmities and afflictions that were the result of Satans control, or the demonic control of the individuals. Jesus healed and cast out demons. a . Consider the story in Mark 4: 1-20. Demons recognized His authority! b . Consider the story in Mark 1:23-27.
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4 . Christ came not only to redeem, but also to reign. He came not only to be Savior, but to be sovereign. He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings! C. On the Cross Christ Spoiled Principalities and Powers: (Col. 2:15)
1 . On the cross, He spoiled or robbed principalities and powers of their assumed authority and He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 2 . Up to the time of the Cross, Satan had claimed a . absolute authority in the earthly realm, b . He, as the prince of the power of the air, as the god of this world, claimed absolute authority. 3 . Jesus Christ, (entering into conflict with Satan, delivering man from demonic control during His earthly life), had challenged Satans authority. a . By His death on the Cross, by His victory over Satan (Heb. 2:9-11, 14-18) b. and by His resurrection, Christ broke the power of Satan. c . The cross of Christ, the blood shed is Gods answer to Satan, the usurper, the adversary, and defeated foe. 4 . Christ has all authority now, and a name above all names. (Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 1:13-19; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:19-22) a . When Jesus went to the Cross, there Satan was totally defeated. b . Christ received up into glory, seated at the right of the Father is a clear evidence to us of the glory of His finished work on the Cross. D. We Are to Enter Into Our Perfect Position IN Christ Jesus! (Eph. 1:3; 2:4-7) 1 . We have been joined to Christ, for we are bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh, (Eph. 5:30-32) We are joined to Christ, identified with Him, (Rom. 6). a . By the work of the Holy Spirit, when Christ died we died, b . when He was buried we were buried, c . when we was resurrected, we were resurrected. 2 . We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! (Eph. 1:3) When He ascended and was seated, we were seated with Him, never to be separated from Him. 3 . When Christ Jesus was given authority over satanic powers and the angelic realm, in Him we also were given authority because we are IN HIM! (Rom. 8:37; I Cor. 3:21-23) a . We have authority over Satan we did not have as a natural man. b . We are under the angels by act of creation, but over demonic powers by the act of God in our position in Christ Jesus. Copyright 2000, Revival In The Home Ministries 39

II. BY OUR ACTIVELY RESISTING SATAN!
(I Pet. 5:8-9; James 4:7) Because of our position we are to resist Satan, to do battle against Him, to overcome by the power of the blood of Christ, in His Name. A . The Word Resist Does Not Call For Passive Resistance! 1 . It does not mean a futile attempt on our part to defend ourselves, but it pictures a soldier of Jesus Christ marching out to do combat with the adversary. (James 4:7) a . We have the full and complete assurance that we have victory. b . It is already given us through the One who has led us in the train of triumph. 2 . Peters command would tell us You turn and face him. You resist him. You actively oppose him, and through your active opposition, you will cause Satan to flee (I Pet. 5:9) B. We Are To Resist Steadfast In the Faith! We are to stand on the faith principle as we claim the Word of God! 1 . Faith -- in the truth of the authority of the believer! (We have seen this principle . . . now we need to act upon it.) a . Our authority comes from our position. b . In Jesus Christ we are resurrected, ascended and e n t h r o n e d in all that we have IN Christ! (Eph. 2:6) We are raised up together and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We seated in all that HE IS TO us and FOR us! c . Victory over Satan is a step of faith, a step that believes God, a step that believes the Word of God. (Rev. 12:11; The just shall live by faith! (Heb. 11:6) d . We stand even though we have an enemy who is a roaring lion. (I Pet. 5:8-9) e . We are not helpless before Satan, we can forbid him to pursue the course that would bring about our downfall or destruction. 2 . Faith -- that Satan is a d e f e a t e d enemy! a . Matt 8:29; Mark 1:24; The demons know they are defeated by Jesus. b . Christ spoiled them; He triumphed over them; Satan had no part in Him, but was defeated at the Cross. (Col. 2:15; Jh. 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) 3 . Faith -- that we are to experience daily victory over our enemy! a . Satan will flee. . . think about the Israelites in the Egypt. The death angel could not touch where the blood was applied. b . No force of Hell could pry open the doors that was sealed by the blood. c . When you are under attack. . . whether temptation to sin, or some oppression or depression in the realm of the mind, or
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some attack to divert you away from loving the Lord, an attack on your affections - remember Satan is a defeated foe -- just claim the blood and its power over you.
III. BY OUR APPROPRIATING OUR WEAPONS! (Eph. 6:10-18)

A . We Are to Stand, Having Done All, to Stand. . . To Stand Therefore!! How?? By and through the weapons at our disposal. We have all the protection we could ever need or use.
1 . Through the truth -- loins gird about with truth! a . Walking in truth, (Examine II John and III John.) b . Applying truth to the life daily, c . Exercising our senses (spiritual) to discern both good and evil, for we have discernment that comes through knowing the Truth -- Gods clear Word. 2. By righteousness -- for we have the breastplate of righteousness (His righteousness)! a . Here is protection, a place of safety, (See I Cor. 10:30.) b . Here is a position of righteousness provided by the Savior, c . We walk from a position, we do not seek to provide a position from which we go forth to conquer sin and Satan. 3 . The helmet of salvation -- For He is is made sin for us, who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (II Cor. 5:21; Col. 1:14) a . We plead the benefits of the resurrection. b . We follow our glorified, resurrected Captain of our salvation. c . We plead the value of the cross, and the triumph of Christ through the cross. d . Christs resurrection sealed Satans doom, he knows he is a defeated foe. He does not even have squatters rights though he tries to maintain them. 4 . By using the shield of faith -- whereby we are to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. We hold up the shield against Satan as we have described in the forgoing points. It is a walk of faith, in expectation, knowing that our victory is by p r o x y . . . Christ Jesus won it for us! 5 . By use of the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. a . We answer Satan as Christ did . . . It is written! (Matthew 4:4) b . We plead the promises (II Cor. 1:10; 20) and claim what is ours by faith. c . We are to enter into active battle against Satan, pressing the battle against him unto victory.
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Consider: 1 . You will not overcome Satan by your skill. 2 . You cant run from Satan, or hide, or out-think him. 3 . You cant overcome by any power, or ability of your own. It is so easy to think we wont fall prey to sin, so we dont even protect or fortify ourselves in Christ. 4 . You wont have victory by being careless. . . we are told to be vigilant, watchful, knowing the same afflictions are accomplished in our brethren. We are not alone! (I Pet 5:8) 5 . You wont have victory by neglecting Gods Word -- by failing to read it, meditate upon it, memorizing it, and applying it to daily life for each daily battle. 6 . Why does Satan succeed by still using the same methods that he used from the beginning? Why does he so often succeed by being the deceiver, the destroyer, the ruler and the accuser? It is because we dont know the Word of God well enough to put him to flight -- after many years of salvation? Shame on us! 7 . We are to be more than conquerors. (Rom. 8:37) Is that true of YOU?
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- Nineth Message -
Dont Give Satan A Beachhead!

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If the believer cultivates in his life any known sin, he is giving Satan an opportunity to get a f o o t h o l d, a beachhead in his life. Satan then will take this opportunity to invade and take over other areas in the life. This is the purpose of his wiles, deceits, darts, etc. Paul warns us in Ephesians 4:27. . . Neither give place (or opportunity) to the devil. The word place means a foothold, or change to operate. We must not give him a b e a c h h e a d in the warfare we experience in daily life. Lets examine Ephesians 4:25-32. . . about HOW we give Satan a B E A C H H E A D?
I. WE DO IT BY LYING: (Eph. 4:25)

A . Since Satan is a liar, expect that as the father of lies (Jh 8:44) he will endeavor to make a liar out of you. 1 . God cannot work in our lives when we are living a lie, practicing lying, or seeking to circumvent truth by our lies. 2 . All liars will be found in the lake of fire, along with Satan. (Rev. 21:8) There in hell will be everyone who loves and practices lying. Lying characterizes their life! 3 . When you believe a lie, walk in lies, seek to lie -- then Satan is given free course to work his will in your life. (Eph. 4:15, 25; Gen. 3) B. We are members one of another, (Eph. 4:25) so lying has a very adverse and damaging effect on the body of Christ. 1 . Gods truth builds up the body, but Satans lies tear it down.
a . We are to live so as to edify the body of Christ. b Deceit encourages others to sin freely thinking it does not matter. 2 . God is the God of all truth and His Word is the truth (Jh 17:17) and His Spirit is truth (I Jh 5:7) and Christ is the way, the truth and the life (Jh 14:6), then surely God would want us to be people of truth.
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3 . When you believe the truth, walk in the truth, seek to live in the light of Gods truth -- then the Holy Spirit can and does work in your life. (II Jh. III Jh. John 8:32; ?????? a . When we harbor a lie you cant be in fellowship with God. b . In Acts 5:1-11, God severely judged Ananias and Sapphira for their lies.
II.
WE DO IT BY A N G E R : (See Eph. 4:26-27; Rev. 12:12,17)

A . Satan, who can be very angry. . . fosters anger in the life. 1 . This fact would suggest that anger in our hearts gives Satan a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27 teaches us this truth. 2 . Anger and murder go together. a. b. c. d. e. (Matt. 5:21, 22)
It is not enough to love the good, we must also hate evil. Psa. 97:10 Hate evil, you who love the Lord. Prov. 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Rom. 12:9 Abhor what is evil, cling (cleave) to what is good. Maybe we call it righteous anger-- but it is difficult for us as sinful humans to cultivate and exercise a truly righteous anger.
B. Our sinful natures has a way of polluting our emotions so that we often do more harm than good. Aristotle said it perfectly centuries ago: Anyone can become angry -- than is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way -- is very difficult indeed. 1 . Sinful anger always leads to more sin. 2 . Usually when we are angry, we . . . a. b. c. d. say things we wish we had not said, do things we wish we had not done, make decisions we wish we had not made, and hurt people we wish we had not hurt. (Prov. 29:22; 14:17; 27:4)
No wonder the devil works at cultivating in us a sinful angry. (See the study... Emotional Problems In Life and Home) III. WE DO IT BY STEALING: (Eph. 4:28)
A . Satan is a thief, he would encourage such. (Jh 10:10) 1 . The experience of the two demoniacs of the country of the Gerasense is a vivid example of how Satan steals from his own-- those under his control. (Matt 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20) a . Satan robbed these men of their sanity, and their liberty.
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b . He robbed them of their homes (they lived in the graveyard). c . He robbed them of their joy, effective work, reputations, and health. d . Satan would have robbed them of their souls and and their lives if they had not been freed by the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 . People who borrow things not theirs open their lives to Satans foothold. a . The person who steals a pencil is also capable of stealing a large sum. b . Luke 16:10 He who is unrighteous in a little thing is unrighteous in much. 3 . Some steal time, some steal from God (Mal. 3:8-10 ??, some steal others reputation by gossip and slander, some steal anothers good name. 4 . Some hold back money that belongs to another. (James 5:1-6)
B. We are to work with our own hands and not steal, in fact, after working, we are to give to those who have need, for we are members one of another. (Eph. 4:25, 28)
IV.
WE DO IT BY FILTHY SPEECH: (Eph. 4:29; 5:4)
A . Filthy speech pleases Satan. 1 . God is not forbidding good, holy, healthy humor, the ability to laugh is a mark of maturity and discernment. 2 . Paul is condemning low humor, jesting that is sinfully suggestive. B. This kind of speech is destructive and does not edify or build up other Christians. 1 . If Satan can get us to think about sin, then talk a b o u t sin, he will also find it easier to get us to c o m m i t sin. 2 . When we talk freely about filthy things, it takes the edge off our conviction, we accustomed to it, and soon the barriers are down.
V. WE DO IT BY HAVING AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT: (Eph. 4:30-32)

A . The believer who harbors bitterness and malice in his heart is giving Satan one of his most effective beachheads. 1 . These sinful actions, thoughts, and attitudes (consider all the things listed here) hinder the Spirits working in our lives. a . This robs the Spirit of his power in our lives, b . This renders us ineffective to detect and defeat Satan. 2 . The old nature being corrupt, and wicked revels in this kind of poison -bitterness, malice, desire for revenge, etc. (Eph. 4:22)
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B. The only kind of remedy is forgiveness. 1 . If someone has wronged you -- forgive him from your heart.
2 . Follow the steps in Matthew 18:15-17 and be reconciled as quickly as possible. (Matt 5:23-26) 3 . The longer you harbor an unforgiving spirit, the more territory in your life you give over to Satan. a . Even if you forgive the other party and they do not forgive you -- you can see to it that Satan is defeated in your own life. b . We are under command to forgive others -- regardless of what they do. c . Resentments, grudges, bitterness and the desire for revenge come about because we hold on to things and do not release the offender from his or her wrong toward us.
VI. WE DO IT BE SLANDEROUS SPEECH: (Eph. 4:31)

A . Paul commands deacons wives (older women) not to be malicious gossips. 1 . This is the Greek word, diabolos which is translated devil. 2 . The word devil here means slanderer or accuser. 3 . When believers share in gossip and slander, they are doing the devils work for him and giving him a foothold in their lives and the lives of others who listen to them. 4 . Among the six things God hates is listed: a false witness who utters lies. (Prov. 6:19) B. Slander, like a club or sword can do great damage. Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. Prov. 25:18 1 . Slander can hurt a person close up (club) or further away (a sword), or from a distance (an arrow). 2 . But whatever the range, the damage is done to the person and it can be deadly. a . It is a painful experience to have ones name maligned. b . Such words and actions gives Satan a great advantage as the accuser of the brethren. 3 . Many great and godly men of the Bible suffered because of slander and false witness, including Joseph, David, Jeremiah, Paul, and even our Lord Jesus Christ.
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____________________________________________________________________ The Word of God tells us how to deal with sins of the saints. 1 . Restore such a one in the spirit of meekness. Gal. 6:1 2 . Above all, k e e p fervent love for one another, love covers sins. I Pet. 4:8; Prov. 10:12 3 . Love neither ignores sins, nor condones sins -- is simple means that love keeps from exposing sins of others to the eyes of the world or to weak Christians. 4 . Any sins we harbor in our lives must be confessed, dealt with, removed, forsaken. 5 . No sin is a light thing, or a little thing, Satan will use it to attack you and bring further sin into your life. . . watch your life, keep your heart with all diligence. (Prov. 4:23)
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Christs Conquest of Satan In Our Behalf!

- Tenth Message -
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Colossians 2:9-17 If you were to receive word from your doctor that you had been stricken with a fatal disease for which there was no known cure, and as you shared this with me I could tell you of a wonderful cure-- that would be w e l c o m e news indeed. I have better new for you than that. For while not all fall prey to one of the dread diseases, all were born into this world under the c o n d e m n a t i o n of sin. Sin stands between every individual and God, for He is holy and righteous and cannot receive an unholy thing into His presence. The good news is found in Colossians 2:13. God has forgive you all trespasses. (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Rev. 1:
I. THE BARRIER OF SIN HAS BEEN REMOVED!

A . Christ has gulfed the great barrier between God and man. 1 . The barrier of sin that once separated the sinner from God has been removed. 2 . The c o n d e m n a t i o n lodged against the sinner has been removed. (Rom. 8:1) 3 . The d e a t h that characterized the sinner has been taken away, and the sinner has been made alive. (Eph. 2:1) 4 . That is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. a . Only eternity itself can reveal to us what it cost God to make such a simple offer of salvation to mankind. b . While the terms of salvation are simplicity itself -- that which made it possible is a complex problem involved in satisfying a Holy God. B. God has blotted the handwriting of ordinances that was against us. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col 2:14) 1 . Before God could declare salvation to sinners, it was necessary for Jesus Christ to enter into a conflict with Satan, to do battle with him, to come out of that battle as the victor and to declare that Satan was a vanquished foe.
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a . Satan, as the accuser knew that God has declared that the soul that sins shall die. b . Satan knows that God has said the wages of sin is death. c . Satan is reluctant to release control over any individual who is born into his kingdom.... we all were born into his kingdom. d . Satan does not have to look far to see a catalog of sins (crimes) he can use as a basis of his accusation against us. We are all guilty! 2 . The Apostles declares that GOD has blotted out this handwriting against us. a . Before God could forgive all trespasses it was necessary to make a just disposition of the indictment that had been lodged against us. b . God recognized the fact that we were sinners born under condemnation. c . God did not pass over the fact that we were born in sin, practiced sin, loved sin, and were under its condemnation. (Eph. 2:1-3; Lk 19:10; 3 . Before we could enter into His family -- sin must be paid for, forgiven and the law against us had to be removed. (II Cor. 5:21; I Tim. 2:5; I Pet. 2:24) a . A just judge cannot hear an indictment and dismiss it if the indictment is true. b . Only if the indictment is false can the case be dismissed. 4 . This indictment, this condemnation was contrary to us. a . Satan stood up to point an accusing finger at us. b . Satan had ample proof -- we were sinners w o r t h y of death. c . God could not dismiss the case unless someone took our place, took our beating, our judgment, our hell, suffering and paying for our sins that the condemnation might be removed. Ah, the wonderful thing Jesus did for us! C. Christ had to fully pay for our sins, our trespasses, our iniquities. 1 . Heb. 2:14; Christ must pay the debt to God, to take the indictment that Satan had lodged against us and satisfy it completely. 2 . Since the p e n a l t y is death -- (Rom. 5:12; for Christ to bear that penalty. 6:23; Gen. 3;) it was necessary
3 . He had to die, to pray for sin, It was death, our death we deserved that he took upon himself. 4 . He assumed our sins, our guilt, our indictment, and publicly displayed as the one bearing our sins. was
II. THE POWER OF SATAN HAS BEEN BROKEN: (Col. 2:15)

A . Christ must triumph over the one who had lodged an indictment against us.
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1 . To be able to forgive all our sins, trespasses, iniquity -- it was necessary that Christ not only died for it, paid for it, but that he had victory over Satan. having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. a . Principalities and powers is often used in Scripture for the entire hierarchy of demons under the authority of Satan. (Eph. 6:12) b . To provide salvation for mankind, Jesus Christ had to win a victory over our enemy, Satan, over the accuser of men, Satan himself. c . Satan is the one who sought to destroy men and keep them in the power of death, etc. (Heb. 2:14) d . Christ must die for men and then come to life again. e . Satan can destroy life. . . he cannot create life. Satan could bring about physical death but Satan cannot bring a man to resurrection. 2 . Christ arose again. (Col. 2:15) This shows us that the resurrection of Christ is Gods victory over the accuser. a . Satan cannot come before God and indict you for a sin again, because Jesus Christ has removed that indictment b . and because the debt for sin has been paid and removed. (I Cor. 15:3) B. Christ Jesus must fully pay, finished that which he came to do. 1 . He paid it all in full. It is finished! Literally it is paid in full.
2 . We can rest in safety and security because the word tetelestai guaranteed his deliverance and his liberty. 3 . What does this mean: Jesus with his own blood canceled that indictment and wrote across it the same word the court wrote across a canceled indictment, It is paid. 4 . God had the indictment lodged against you. Satan would sees that we would pay to the full... but Chris Jesus took our wiping, our debt and paid it all. C. Having paid it all... he spoiled principalities and powers. . . he made a show openly of Satans broken power. 1 . His victory is our victory. 2 . We are seated in heavenly places in Him. . . receiving from Him, In HIM all that He is. 3 . All the belongs to the Father is His, and all that is His is ours! 4 . His conquest sets us totally free from any tyranny of Satan for he is a vanquished foe. 5 . We now have authority over Satan. . . an authority based on our being in Him. . . an authority vested in us as being His child. (I Pet. 5:8,9) Copyright 2000, Revival In The Home Ministries 50

a . We are to resist Satan through Christ. (James 4:7) b . We are to resist, stand against, withstand through His victory which is ours as saints united to the Savior. (Eph. 6: Glory, we can triumph in Him!
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Satan's Strategies

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What are the four persons in the Old Testament that had a direct confrontation with Satan according to the document?

What are the four persons in the Old Testament that had a direct confrontation with Satan according to the document?

What are the four targets that Satan aims at in one's life according to the document?

What are the four targets that Satan aims at in one's life according to the document?

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Series On The Strategy of Satan

Dr. Edward Watke Jr.

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Series On The Strategy of Satan

First Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Deceiver

Satans Attack of Eve. . . As the Deceiver!

I. Satans Target -- Is Your MIND:

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

II. Satans Weapon -- Is His LIES:

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Series On The Strategy of Satan

First Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Deceiver

Satans Purpose Through His Lies And Our Defense!

I. SATANS PURPOSE IS TO MAKE YOU IGNORANT OF GODS WILL?

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Series On The Strategy of Satan

2nd Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Destroyer

Satans Attack On Jobs Body -- Our Body!

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Series On The Strategy of Satan

2nd Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Destroyer

Satans Purpose By His Attack And Our Defense!

I. Satans PURPOSE -- Is To Bring IMPATIENCE Into Your Life:

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

I. Your DEFENSE -- the IMPARTED GRACE of GOD:

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

3 . Only by Gods grace can we patiently endure. a. b. c. d. e.

3 . We have grace for giving sacrificially --

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Revival In The Home Ministries

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN

Series On The Strategy of Satan

Third Confrontation. . . Satan -- the Ruler

Satan Seeks to Rule. . . As He Attacks David!

I. SATANS TARGET -- YOUR WILL -- (Davids will in this text!)

BOOK, STRATEGY OF SATAN