Part 1: Satan’s Weapons of Mass Destruction: Deception!

Sermon Notes – October 16, 2011

Church-Wide Bible Study 2011

The Strategy of Satan

Part 1: Satan’s Weapons of

Mass Destruction: Deception!

Genesis Chapter 3:1-13

THE AUDIO FOR THIS SERMON IS AVAILABLE FREE ON OUR CHURCH WEBSITE: agfchurch.org

Key Passage: Genesis 3:2b-5 "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"  but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" 4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

1.   Satan’s key strategy is to create  Unbelief against God through deception! 

John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

•     Satan question God’s Word! [Did God really say…]
•     Satan denied God’s Word! [You will not surely die," ]
•     Satan substituted his own lie in place of God’s Word! [you will be like God, knowing good and evil."]

2.   Though deception Satan creates Confusion about God’s Word and Ignorance of God’s will in our minds!  

Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen

•      Eve took away from God’s Word! [omitted “freely” = all you want]
•      Eve added to God’s Word! [… must not touch it]
•      Eve changed God’s Word! [Lest = surely A CERTAIN RESULT]

 For the believer in Christ, since Satan longer has dominion over your soul, he wants to render you completely ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of Jesus Christ (see also

Matthew 13:22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

Matthew 13:19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

Luke 8:12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

3.   Satan desires to take the place of God!

Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Satan has literally “flipped the script” on us.

God’s Divine Order	Satan’s Distorted Order
GOD	SATAN
MAN – WOMAN	ANIMALS
ANIMALS 1:28	WOMAN – MAN
SATAN	GOD

Satan wants you to believe that you too can take the place of God in your own life.  That’s what most false religions are all about!

 

4.   Our only defense is to: 

Know God’s Word!  

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Memorize God’s Word!

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Meditate on God’s Word!

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Use God’s Word!

Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Matthew 4:7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"

Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

IF CHRIST HAD TO USE SCRIPTURE TO DEFEAT SATAN HOW CAN THERE BE ANY OTHER WAY FOR US TO DEFEND OURSELVES TODAY!!!

That is also why we can always count on Christ in our times of testing, temptation and trouble!

Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet was without sin.

GOING DEEPER

Sermon Follow-Up Study & Discussion

This exercise in the scriptures in can be used in our Sunday School and Grace Group ministries. You are also invited to use it for family or personal bible study.

Read and meditate over Ephesians 4:17-24. 

1.      Who is Paul referring to when he mentions “the Gentiles”?

2.      What does Paul mean “the futility of their thinking or mind”? (see also Romans 1:21-28, 1 Corinthians 2:14 & Colossians 2:18 before you answer)

3.      Why does Paul say that these people are separated or “alienated” from “the life of God”?

4.      What are the consequences of living in spiritual darkness?

5.      What is the remedy for spiritual darkness according to verses 20-24?

6.      Now read Ephesians 4:25 to 6:23.  List all the practical ways you can practically apply the above teaching to your own life.

Feel free to post your comments for my feedback as well as general discussion.

Remember: “Knowledge apart from application falls short of God’s desire for His children.  He wants us to apply what we learn so the we will change and grow.” – Chuck Swindoll