Speaking the Truth in Love
Satan, Man's Adversary (Part 1)
Introduction
A. 1 Peter 5:8
1. Satan is the constant and continuous enemy of man.
2. He will gain control and destroy all those that will let him. This he did to Judas (Luke 22:3-4; John 13:2).
a. Thus, Judas in his greed allowed Satan to lead him into the shameful deed of betraying the Lord.
b. Judas allowed Satan to destroy him for his ill-gotten money, which became his snare and reproach. He later cast the thirty pieces of silver down in the temple and went and hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5).
3. Satan is bent on the frightful business of bringing misery and sorrow to all human beings. He seeks our eternal destruction.
B. It is our task in this lesson to examine what the Bible teaches about Satan that we might be able to withstand, overcome and defeat him.
I. SOME THINGS ABOUT SATAN.
A. Satan was on the first scene as the serpent (Genesis 3:1-5).
1. The serpent, the devil, and Satan are all the same (Revelation 12:9).
B. The Bible reveals nothing about the origin of the devil.
1. At one time some wicked angels were cast down (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
a. Hell, the eternal place of punishment, was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41).
b. They are reserved for torment (Matthew 8:29; Revelation 20:10).
C. As the good angels have a leader (Revelation 12:7; Jude 9), the wicked angels have a leader. His name is Satan (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).
1. He is called, "...The prince of the power of the air." Ephesians 2:2
2. The Jews called him, "...Beelzebub the prince of the devils." Matthew 9:34; 12:24
3. He is called "...The god of this world." 2 Corinthians 4:4
4. Satan has kingdoms (Luke 4:6), thrones (Revelation 2:12), synagogues (Revelation 3:9), and children (1 John 3:10; John 8:44; Acts 13:10; Matthew 13:38).
D. Satan is a murderer and a liar (John 8:44).
1. The devil has sinned from the beginning (1 John 3:8).
2. Satan is the deceiver of the whole world (Revelation 12:9).
3. He is the great accuser of God's people (Revelation 12:10).
a. He accused Job before God (Job 1:8-11; 2:3-7).
The key to overcoming Satan is to resist him and humble yourself to God (James 4:6-10, 1 Peter 5:5-11)? Have you done that tonight? Are you a follower of Jesus or a follower of Satan? The truth of the matter is if we are not serving the Lord, Satan is pleased because we are under his will.
Next Time - Satan, Man's Adversary (Part 2)
