Satan, The Devil

TEXT: 1 Pet. 5:8

INTRODUCTION:

A. WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU THINK OF THE DEVIL?

B. NEGLECTED - PERHAPS BECAUSE THE BIBLE DOESN'T SAY MUCH.

C. BUT WE NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT IT DOES SAY.

I. WHO IS THE DEVIL?

A. "A created but Superhuman, personal, evil, world-power, represented in the Scriptures as the Adversary, both of men and God." ISBE. NOT DIVINE.

B. CALLED MAINLY:

1. Satan - Trans. lit. from Hebrew, "Adversary."

2. Devil - "An accuser, a slanderer." Not in the O.T.

C. OTHER NAMES AND DESCRIPTIVE PHRASES:

1. Temptor, 2. Beelzebub, 3. Enemy, 4. Evil one, 5. belial, 6. Adversary, 7. Deceiver, 8. Dragon, 9. Father of lies, 10. Murderer, 11. sinner, 12. Abbadon or Apollyon - the Destroyer, 13. Prince of this world( John 12:31 ).

II. WHERE DOES THE DEVIL COME FROM?

A. THE BIBLE IS SILENT. FIRST MENTIONED IN THE GARDEN WHERE HIS DEFEAT IS FORETOLD. DOESN'T IMPLY THAT THIS IS THE FIRST SIN OF SATAN.

B. THEORIES:

1. Son of God( Job 1:6; Zech. 3:1 ), Doesn't imply divinity.

2. War in heaven( Rev. 12:7-9 ). After Christ's res. ( vs. 10-12 ).

3. A fallen angel( 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6 ).

4. God created him for the purpose( James 1:13-15; Matt. 25:41 ).

5. Personification of temptation( Matt. 4; Job 1&2; Gen. 3 ).

C. DO WE KNOW HIS FATE( Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10 ).

III. WHAT DOES HE DO?

A. HE IS AN ACCUSER OF GOD( Gen. 3:4-5 ).

B. HE IS AN ACCUSER OF MEN( Job 1:6-11; Rev. 12:9-10 ).

C. HE IS A SINNER( 1 John 3:8 ), WHO TEMPT OTHERS( 1 Cor. 7:5 ).

D. HOW DOES SATAN TEMPT?

1. Process is explained( James 1:13-15 ).

a. "drawn away by his own lust" ( Internal ).

b. "enticed" ( External ).

2. Satan entices.

a. Formerly in a direct way - Eve, Job, Jesus.

b. But his is limited( Rev. 20:1-3 ).

c. Today through agency

- circumstance where sin is possible.

- men who are given to him.

- false teachers( 2 Cor. 11:13-15 ).

d. His servants are themselves dupes, victims( 2 Tim. 3:13 ).

E. HOW MAY WE OVERCOME TEMPTATION?( 1 Cor. 10:13 ).

1. Work on the Lust( Rom. 12:9; Phil. 4:8 ).

2. Avoid enticement( 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:11 ).

3. Trust the Lord( Eph. 6:16 ).

4. James 4:7-8. Resist by drawing nigh to God.

CONCLUSION:

A. VICTORY IS OURS IN JESUS( James 1:15; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:55-57; Rom. 8:1, 4 ).

B. ARE YOU IN CHRIST?( Rom. 6:3-4 ).
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