The reason that you sin, is not because there is a devil with a pitchfork on your shoulder making you sin, the truth is everything in your flesh desires to sin already.  However, we do have an enemy.  Just as God loves you more than you know, Satan hates you more than you know.  1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  It is because of this that I’m venturing in here to dangerous ground today.  I’m going to venture in where Satan launches attacks on Christians, so that we might be aware of and defend against his schemes.  There is a war to be fought every day, one that is already happening around you – are you prepared?

Ephesians 6:10-17 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

Matthew 11:12 – “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Talking about the character, purpose, and schemes of Satan will of course put a large target on my head for spiritual warfare, but whereas I could never hope to defeat Satan myself, I have the LORD, who will fight for me.  The first thing I want to do before wading into the lies of Satan is to encourage you to arm yourself to fight not in your own strength, but by faith in God.   Look above in Ephesians 6 – be strong in the LORD, in the strength of HIS might – not your own.  If you try to fight sin, or fight against Satan in your own power, you have already lost.

That said, most people think of Satan as someone who tempts them to do bad things.  They are wrong.  More often than not, when you are wanting to do bad things, that’s not Satan, that’s your sinful flesh. Quite simply, Satan has better things to do with his time.  Satan, unlike God, is not omnipresent, and while there are other demons with him, neither are they.  So their resources are limited.  Satan may use people to accomplish his goals, but ultimately he is not desirous to simply make one person fall – he is at war to accomplish the fall of all men.  If you were going to allocate your resources then, how would you do it?  You would put your efforts and resources to attacking the one stronghold of your opponent.  For Satan, this is the Church.  It’s important to note, the Church attacked by Satan is not in buildings, but the people, the redeemed of God.

Matthew 24:24 – “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”

Satan doesn’t need to go after people who are not pursuing God – He attacks those who seem to follow after Christ.  He does not come as a worker of evil, but he and his minions disguise himself as workers of righteousness.  Satan enters into churches, into homes, into theological circles – seemingly as a servant of God.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”

It is because of this that we, as followers of Christ are instructed by the LORD in 1 John 4:1-3 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”

Now some people would read this, and think, ok – Joe Bob says Jesus Christ is the Son of God, so he must be a Christian.  NO!!!  James 2:19 – “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”  Let me be blunt – you can’t be that lazy… you have to know about Jesus Christ from His Word, study/pray to know even more, and then test what each person says about Him.  I hope you all never believe anything I say, just because I say it.  Look to the Word of God, and seek the truth there with Him, over enduring study.

Satan is at work, in the realm of ideas, to seek to blind the eyes of men (by the way – ladies, this means you too) to the Truth of God.  So what does Satan do in the US?  He tries to keep men entertained, away from God’s Truth in His Word.  Satan enters into churches, and appeals to the righteousness of men, rather than the righteousness of God.  Essentially, Satan tries to convince people that God isn’t God.

Let me make some simple statements, and see if you can see how Satan has tried to blur the Truth of God:

1)       God is either absolutely sovereign in all things or He is not

2)      Man is either totally depraved in sin and without hope apart from God or he is not

3)      God either saved a people unto Himself or He did not

Oh how Satan loves to come in and just try to blur those lines just enough to where men put a piece of their “security” in themselves.  There is no compromise!  These things are either true about God, or they’re not.  Any other Christ other than a totally sovereign God, who totally saved a people unto Himself who were totally without hope apart from Him, is another Christ – one who is not mighty to save.  Satan would love nothing more, than to have a “Christian” put their faith into a Christ who only saved them “most of the way”.

My exhortation today, is to arm yourself with Truth.  Equip yourself for battle, because it’s already happening, and if you cannot see it around you, it’s probably because you’re blind and spiritually dead.  I’m praying that God would even use this message as a means to spur some to life some and quicken us all to action.  I’m praying that God would awaken many, many who would call upon His name in Truth, who would carry forth the Gospel of Christ for the glory of God, that many would be set free from the schemes of the father of lies.  Earnestly seek the Truth of God in His Word and prayer.  Know His attributes and promises, to test the Christ that is preached around you.  Strain after the LORD, and He will fight for you.

Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.”

Joshua 1:8-9 – “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Grace and Peace,

Adam