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The Strategies of Satan

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The Strategies Of Satan

Luke 22:31-34 (NLT) “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Who is Satan and what does he want?

Satan is your accuser.

Revelation12:10 (NLT) Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.”

He is opposed to those who are in Christ.

Revelation 12:17 (ESV) Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus…

Three of Satan’s chief strategies -

1. Doubt

2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV) But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Doubt God’s Word.

Psalm 42:1-3 (NLT) As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him? Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?”

Doubt God’s presence.

 

2. Deception

1 John 2:16-17 (ESV) For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

• When God-given desires take priority over living out God’s will, these are desires of the flesh.

• When desires for physical things turn obsessive, these are desires of the eyes.

• Sinful desires which bring attention to self are known as the pride of life.

 

3. Accusation

Job 1:9-11 (NLT) Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

He accuses you of your unworthiness in God’s family.

He accuses you of your sin.

He accuses you of not truly having salvation in Christ.

 

Fighting the right way -

Stop white-knuckling Christianity.

Galatians 3:3 (NLT) How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

Start believing the gospel secures you.

1 John 10:28-30 (NLT) “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Stay connected to your church family.

Acts 2:42, 44 (ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. … And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

 

Growing Deeper Together (Group discussion questions)

Use these points throughout the week as part of your quiet time, in your small group, or over coffee with a friend to help you apply what you learned in today’s message.

Have you experienced areas of doubt when it comes to your relationship with Christ? If so, how did those doubts affect you?

When you feel accused by Satan, what steps can you take to get back to the securing truth of the gospel?

The apostle Paul talked in Galatians 3 about trying to follow Jesus with human effort alone. Share some areas where you lean too much on your own strength instead of God’s.

How does knowing your adversary the devil is defeated embolden you to live for Christ?