Satan’s Policy

Introduction

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walk about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8).

            Christians need to be aware of Satan’s presence, his temporary power, and the methods of his deceit. This lesson shows five ways Satan works in his never-ending fight against Christians and God.

I. Satan always tries to Spoil God’s Word.

            Mark 4:14-19. The parable of the soils, often misnamed the parable of the sower, shows this. Satan tries to snatch away God’s Word as soon as it is received. If this fails he does not stop, but tries to deaden its influence, choke it out, or distract attention from it by the cares of the world.

            Revelation 2:9; 3:9. Believers at Smyrna and at Philadelphia were subjected to Satan’s assault in this way. The “synagogue of Satan” probably refers to Jewish persecutors in these cities, and the methods of their attack were in part the misuse of Scripture and denial of truth taught by the Christians. Jesus encouraged the saints to persevere, and He assured them that He was indeed on their side.

II. Satan concepts teaching to mislead.

            II Corinthians 11:12-15. Paul faced opponents at Corinth who claimed to represent Christ but who denied Paul’s apostleship and gospel. He says they were “ministers of Satan.”

            II Thessalonians 2:9-12. Paul by the Spirit predicted a “man of sin,” who would mislead through error and false signs. This might have had reference to the then-budding emperor cult of the Roman government, which finally required token emperor-worship. It might have been fulfilled again in the Roman Pope. It might be seen again near the end of time with a powerful antichrist that claims worship and persecutes true Christians. However this spirit is manifested, it is from Satan, and it uses false teaching to mislead and destroy.

            II Timothy 2:25, 26. Through error, Satan snares people to do his will. Paul tells Timothy that the man of God must be gentle in dealing with misled individuals. Satan is the enemy; they are his victims. God can give repentance and recovery, however, releasing Satan's prisoners of war and leaving him empty-handed.

III. Satan gives evil thoughts.

            John 13:2. The wicked thoughts of Judas to betray Christ were put there by Satan. We are held responsible to resist the devil, but he is all too ready to enter our mind if we lower our guard of faith in Jesus and dependence on Him.

            Acts 5:3. Ananias and his wife were also given evil thoughts by Satan to lie regarding their contribution. They sought undue glory but instead found sudden death. Satan's arsenal depends on deceit; he never tells the truth about the results of sin.

            II Corinthians 10: 3-5. Here Paul uses the language of battle in describing our constant struggle against Satan. The battle-field is between our ears -- it is in our mind! Through the power of God, we are to tear down the fortresses of pride and self-reliance. We are to attack with full force every wicked imagination, taking as prisoners of war every thought, now captured by obedience to Christ.

IV. Satan Develop our weaknesses.

            II Corinthians 2:6-11. A Christian at Corinth who had sinned was publicly shamed by the other saints and had repented. Now Paul urges them to receive and comfort him, so that through sorrow he not becomes a victim of Satan. The horrible devil stands like a vulture, waiting for our moment of weakness, ready to swoop and destroy. Christians need to encourage each other in every possible way to help avoid such moments of openness to Satan.

            I Corinthians 7:5. God ordained marriage for the satisfaction of sexual desires. Paul says that Christians ought not to be separated from their partners too long, lest Satan use the opportunity to exploit their natural desires and lead one or both to sin.

            I Timothy 3:6. The bishop is to be a Christian man of maturity, not a novice (new convert). One too soon charged with this noble responsibility might be tempted by Satan with pride to his downfall.

            Whether one's weakness is discouragement, desire, pride, or something else, Satan knows it and will seek to take advantage of it to destroy. Through God we can have the victory, for He will strengthen us if we ask and look to Him in trust (Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:11; I Peter 5:10).

V. Satan Slowdown and hinders our good plans and work.

            II Corinthians 12:7. Paul was troubled by his “thorn in the flesh,” which he calls a “messenger of Satan.” Whatever it was, this “thorn” hindered his full freedom and pleasure in the work of God. In this case, God did not remove the obstacle, but He taught Paul by it to rely more on divine grace and power.

            I Thessalonians 2:17, 18. After Paul had left Thessalonica, he became anxious concerning the new believers there. They were facing persecution for their faith in Jesus, and Paul desperately wanted to visit them personally to encourage and strengthen. Every time he planned to go, something happened to prevent it. Satan was the hindering cause, Paul here tells these believers. Today Satan will interfere with circumstances of life to hinder progress in God's work, using other people, situations and the timing of events. Only in the Lord and by far-reaching faith can we overcome (Romans 8:28).

Conclusion

            Satan hates God and always tries to destroy His work of salvation in Christ. Jesus triumphed over him by His perfect life, however, and He stripped him of power by His resurrection from the dead. Satan then turned on the followers of Jesus, trying in every way possible to destroy them. He thwarts God's Word, falsifies teaching, gives evil thoughts, exploits personal weaknesses, impedes, and hinders good works and plans. Of ourselves, we are helpless prey. But in Christ and by faith, we have the victory. In the name of Jesus we can send Satan scurrying for cover! Let us be aware of his devices, and let us trust solely in the Lord to "deliver us from evil.”