TITLE: Satan's Toolkit

TEXT: 1 Peter 5:8-9 - ⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
PROPOSITION: Satan has many means to lead us to sin.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD: Ways
SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. 2 Corinthians 2:11 – lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2. Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

3. We must be alert and aware of his tactics

Intermediate Means

1. Garden of Eden – a serpent

2. Job – his wife, friends

3. 1 Kings 13 – a lying prophet of God

4. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 – ¹³For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. ¹⁴And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. ¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

5. Just because someone treats you with kindness, prays, cares – does not mean that they are approved of God

6. We must judge a person's teaching by their content – not charisma, delivery

Doubt on the Word of God

1. Did God really say you would die?

2. NKJV – Has God really said?

3. Temptations of Jesus – IF you are the Son of God (twice)

4. Theory of Evolution – casts doubt on the power of God, record of the Bible

Impugns the Character and Motives of God

1. God doesn't want you to be smart like He is

2. 1 talent man misunderstood the nature of God

3. Deuteronomy 32:4 – He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

4. Psalms 145:17 – The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.

5. Hosea 14:9 – Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.

6. Nehemiah 9:33 – However You are just in all that has befallen us; For You have dealt faithfully, But we have done wickedly.

7. Jeremiah 12:1 – Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?

“Omits” what God has Said

1. God said “Freely eat”

2. Satan omitted “freely” - God won't let you eat?

3. People today try to refrigerate hell, dehydrate the Bible, remove blood from sacrifice, take Christ out of the Bible.

4. People omit what the Bible says about – homosexuality, adultery, fornication, etc.

“Adds” to what God Said

1. Satan – You shall NOT surely die

2. We must not add to the words of Scripture

3. Deuteronomy 4:2 - You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

4. Deuteronomy 12:32- Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

5. Proverbs 30:5-6 – ⁵ Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

6. Matthew 4:4 - But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God

7. Galatians 1:8 - But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

8. 1 Corinthians 4:6 - Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

9. Revelation 22:18-19 - ¹⁸For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; ¹⁹and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

10. Satan tries to say baptism is NOT important

11. The idea of an unbaptized Christian is simply not entertained in the New Testament.