Look Out!

There are several times in the scripture where we are told “we do not want you to uninformed” or “Ignorant.” These are great warnings and Paul is giving a warning to the church of Corinth and we are going to draw from that and many others places so we are not ignorant but informed of some of Satan’s tools and devices.

Paul in our verse today alludes that Satan might take advantage of them.

2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB95

11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

The Bible is given to inform us, to instruct us, to protect us and to conform us. One of the things is to protect us from the wiles of the devil (Eph6:11)

Ephesians 6:11 NKJV

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

(Insert ignorance picture here)

When you think of the word ignorance what does that mean?

(Insert- Ignorance definition picture here)

(Insert -free thinkers ignorance picture here)

In a world where truth is relative God’s word is truth and God wants us not to be ignorance/uninformed

Satan’s advantage is based upon one not knowing, or being ignorant/uninformed of his tools/devices.

Our goal as growing Christians are to be fully equipped including with knowledge so when Satan tries any of his schemes we can resist him triumphantly!

Our aim this morning is to look at some of the tools/devices that satan uses to lead people astray, to deceive people, so that we can resist him triumphantly.

Blind the mind of the people

Tool one, he wants to close your eyes, your spiritual eyes to the truth.

Satan’s tool/device:

Some have eyes closed by the god of this world (2Cor4:3-4)

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 NASB95

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Question: whose eyes are blinded by Satan in (v.4)?

The people: The unbelieving

The reason: So that they might not see the light of the gospel.

Some have eyes closed by the doctrines of demons (1Tim4:1-3)

1 Timothy 4:1–2 NASB95

1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

1 Timothy 4:3 NASB95

3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

Question: According to (v.2) what are liars seared with?

Their own conscience with as with a branding iron.

(insert: Branding iron picture here)

When something is seared it is sealed up, the person has their conscience seared up, branded ,no longer feeling the depravity of sin, the consequences of choices.

Paying attention to deceitful spirits and the doctrines of demons. Such as:

Doctrine of Atheism: There is no God

Doctrine of Evolution: We are evolving creatures

Doctrine of Humanism: Man is the measure of all, man is the solution to all his own problems.

These are ones who are hindered from hearing and believing the truth, but if you go back and look at 1Tim4:1, in fact here it is again so we can look at it for a moment.

1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

Question: Look closely at (1Tim4:1) who is being deceived?

Those who depart from the faith.

(expand)

Some have eyes closed by deception (Gen3:13; 1Tim2:14)

Genesis 3:13 NASB95

13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

and I can’t use that one without a sister verse

1 Timothy 2:14 NASB95

14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

Can we be deceived? The answer is of course we can. We greatly reduce the chances of deception when we know the truth and walk in the truth, but being ignorant of the truth leaves yourself open to deception.

(Transition) So Satan uses blinding the minds of the people, the believers and the unbelievers, but our, Christians best defense against it, well let’s look at the scriptures to use as a defense.

Our best defense:

Best defense: a strong offence (2Cor10:1-5)

2 Corinthians 10:1–2 NASB95

1 Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent! 2 I ask that when I am present I need not be bold with the confidence with which I propose to be courageous against some, who regard us as if we walked according to the flesh.

2 Corinthians 10:3–4 NASB95

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

Question: In looking at (2Cor10:4) where does the power, the defense come from?

It is divine power that is for the destruction of fortresses

2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB95

5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Question: The defence Paul is offering up (2COr10:5) is what?

Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

Best defense: The truth (Jn8:32)

John 8:32 NASB95

32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Oh wait, that is not fair, we need to keep in context

John 8:31–32 NASB95

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Question: What is the best defense as spoken by Christ himself (Jn8:31)?

To continue in His Word and you will be His and you will be free because of the truth of His Word.

Best defence: Each other (Ecc4:9-12)

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 HCSB

9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:11–12 HCSB

11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

(Expand on need each other to help each other)

Best defense: Christ like attitude (2Cor10:1-2; 2Tim2:15, 24-26; Eph4:15; Ref: Mt5:5; Gal5:23)

I know a few minutes ago, age’s ago, I used 2Cor10, but part of our best defense if to have a Christ like attitude, look at these verse with me.

2 Corinthians 10:1–2 NKJV

1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

Paul comes to the Corinthians with the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

Jesus says blessed are the meek (Mt5:5); meekness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal5:22)

then you can see what Paul said to Timothy and the church of Ephesus where Timothy was the evangelist at the time.

2 Timothy 2:24 NASB95

24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,

Having the attitude of Christ here (2Tim2:24) is to not be quarrelsome, to be kind, able to teach, patient (when wronged).

2 Timothy 2:25 NASB95

25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

2 Timothy 2:26 NASB95

26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Other Christ like character seen is gentleness, in correction

It is task oriented knowledge of truth leading to repentance so to escape the devil

Now look again at (v.26) notice what it says at the end, having been held captive by him!

Having an attitude of Christ is to speak in love

Ephesians 4:15 NASB95

15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

Tool: The World

Satan can use our senses, feelings, thoughts against us to lure us away or to keep people from the truth.

Satan’s tool/device:

Using lust (1Jn2:15-17)

1 John 2:15–16 NASB95

15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

Question: In looking at (1Jn2:15) if you love the things of this world then what is the result?

The love of the Father is not in you.

Question: What is Satan’s (implied) tool according to (v.16)?

Lust of the world, described as flesh, eyes, pride.

1 John 2:17 NASB95

17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Question: There are two things that should give us hope found in (v.17) Can you see them?

Lusts of this world are passing away

Those who do God’s will, will live forever.

Exampled with Eve (Gen3:6)

Now scripture to back up the lusts noted by John.

Genesis 3:6 NASB95

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Eve saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh)

It was a delight to the eyes (lust of the eyes)

It was desirable to make one wise (lust of boastful pride of life).

Exampled in temptation with Jesus (Mt4:1-11)

Long passage and will just summarize it for you.

Satan used tactics in tempting Jesus

Command stones to turn to bread (lust of the flesh)

If you are the Son of God throw yourself down (lust of the boastful pride of life)

All these things I will give to you (Lust of the eyes)

Satan uses many means today to deceive, to lure, to keep people from coming to God, knowing the truth and walking in it. Such things as

Using other words

Immorality (lust of the flesh)

Materialism (lust of the eyes)

Arrogance (boastful pride of life)

(Transition) now how can we knowing these wordly lusts are Satan’s tool/device how can we stand up against them, what is our best defense?

Our Best Defense:

Best defense: God’s Word (Mt4:4, 7, 10; Ps119:11; 2Tim3:16-17; Eph6:17)

Jesus even used the word to thwart Satan in Mt4 in his temptations.

Check out this

Psalm 119:11 NASB95

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Question: what are we to treasure in our heart according to Ps119:11?

We are to treasure God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Question: What is the purpose of God’s word according to (v.17)?

So to be equipped for every good work.

Every good work, that would be work that defeats the tools/devices of Satan because we have God’s Word in us.

Best Defense: A strong love for the Father (1Jn2:15; Jm4:4, 7)

We know the lusts of this word are incompatible with the love of the Father, so be filled with the love of the Father

James 4:4 NASB95

4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

I know this is said in the negative sense, how can you counter this? - by loving God to be a friend of God.

One more

James 4:7 NASB95

7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Question: if you submit to God what will the devil (Satan) do (Jm4:7)?

He will flee from you.

Believe it or not, still more to go in looking at the tools/devices of Satan so we are not taken advantage by him (ref. 2Cor2:11)

Persecute those doing right

Have you ever been persecuted for doing, living right? Remember the book of Hebrews address that. Peter and Paul addressed it too, so let’s look at some of this, being persecuted for doing right.

Satan’s tool/device: Persecution

Peter warned it would happen (1Pt5:8-9)

Due to time constraints now, let me quickly go through some

1 Peter 5:8–9 NASB95

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

Paul worried about affliction (1The3:1-5)

1 Thessalonians 3:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith,

1 Thessalonians 3:3–4 NASB95

3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB95

5 For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

So how does the tempter tempt? The what appears to be a roaring lion roar?

Satan’s tools/devices:

Peer pressure

Ridicule

Ostracism

Best Defense:

Best defense: Each other, encourage one another (1Pt5:8-10; 1The3:2-3)

Know that after we suffer that the God of all grace will perfect, confirm and strengthen us

We can endure the tools/devices of Satan.

Don’t be disturbed by the afflictions, just strengthen one another, we are not alone and do not suffer through things that others have not gone through.

Best defense: Get, maintain a proper attitude (Jm1:2-4; Rom5:3-4; 1Pt4:12-14; Mt5:10-12)

So count it a joy; in fact we should exult in our tribulation knowing God uses it to grow us at times. What Satan means for bad, God can turn for good.

So just keep on rejoicing right on through it.

Know that you are blessed, and you are in good company, others who were persecuted before you.

Best defense: Be commited to God, and in doing good (1Pt4:19)

1 Peter 4:19 NASB95

19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Entrust you very soul to the one who saves your soul and preserves a heavenly body for you, so do right!

There are other tools/devices such as

Evil company

and even unchristian like behavior in others

Know you are fully equipped for life and godliness (2Pt1:3-4) Know that God is with you and will not forsake you (Deu31:6). God wants us to be informed, not be ignorant of Satan and his tools/devices and know He works it out for those who love him (Rom8:28)

Know, be informed, have knowledge, have application so you will recognize the tools/devices of Satan when they come so you can have triumphant victory over them.