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Table of Contents
A real enemy
- Be sober1, be vigilant2; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour3. 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
- The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. John 10:10 BLB
- But while he was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed also darnel (weeds resembling wheat) among the wheat, and went on his way. Matthew 13:25 AMPC
Other versions
- Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 BSB
- Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 AMP
Whereabouts
- the great dragon was thrown out, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, deceiving the whole inhabited world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:9 BLB
- The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” Job 1:7 NASB
Other versions
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” Job 1:6-7 NKJV
Satan and his angels on earth.
The real cause for our troubles & struggles
- our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NASB
Strategies - Be Aware
- in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 BSB
- Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 AMP
Other versions
- But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 BSB
Strategies
1. Deception
- Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 1 Timothy 2:14 NIV
- And no wonder, since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. So it is no great surprise if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, but their end will correspond with their deeds. 2 Corinthians 1:14-15 AMP
- the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Revelation 12:9 NASB
- He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. Revelation 20:3 NIV
2. Disbelieving GOD
Canaan
- GOD: And I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land where you live as a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:8 NASB
- Spies: But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are too strong for us.” Numbers 13:31 AMP
Tree of the knowledge of good and evil
- GOD: And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17 BSB
- Satan: Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 AMP
- “You will not surely die,” the serpent told her. “For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5 BSB
3. Accusation
- And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God. Revelation 12:10 BSB
Examples
- Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” Job 1:9-11 NKJV
- Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right to accuse him. Zechariah 3:1 NASB
4. Thoughts
- above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16 NKJV
- I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted, Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me And in anger they bear a grudge against me. My heart is in anguish within me Psalms 55:2-4 NASB
Thoughts are put into our and others’ minds. See examples
- Eve – doubt God
- Elijah – instil fear
- Judas – betray Jesus
The devil and his demons trouble us in several ways, one of which is through thoughts causing doubt, fear, distress etc.
5. Obstruction
- For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed4 us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 BSB
Other versions
- For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], but Satan hindered us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 AMP
6. Opposition
- Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. Zechariah 3:1 NKJV
Other versions
- Then the guiding angel showed me Joshua the high priest [representing disobedient, sinful Israel] standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him. Zechariah 3:1 AMP
7. Oppression
- You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed5 Him with the Holy Spirit and with power6, and how He went about doing good7 and healing8 all who were oppressed9 by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 NASB
Other versions
- How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 AMP
8. Temptation
- He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted [to do evil] by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels ministered continually to Him. Mark 1:13 AMP
9. Lies etc
- You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false. John 8:44 AMPC
10. Trials
- Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!] Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and critically appraised, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 AMPC
Trial examples
- “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain; but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].” Luke 22:31-32 AMP
He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give up all he owns in exchange for his life. But stretch out Your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse You to Your face.” “Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.” Job 2:3-6 BSB
Other versions
- Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has
asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the
power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain Luke 22:31-32 AMPC
sift = prove by trials (Reference)
Who knows whether Abraham was tested because of Satan (Genesis 22:1)
Who knows whether Abraham was tested because of Satan (Genesis 22:1)
11. Illness
- And this woman, a daughter (descendant) of Abraham whom Satan has bound for eighteen long years, should she not have been released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” Luke 13:16 AMP
12. Extract work ruthlessly
- So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor10. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor. Exodus 1:13-14 NKJV
13. Attack when weak
- I will strike while he is weary and exhausted, and terrify him; and all the people with him will flee [in terror]. Then I will attack the king alone 2 Samuel 17:2 AMP
- Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Luke 4:13 NKJV
Satan's Objectives
1. Make humans go to hell
- the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 AMP
- “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels Matthew 25:41 NASB
Read: HELL
2. Distract from GOD
- But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 NASB
Other versions
- But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 AMP
Uses humans for his purposes
1. Examples
- Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:23 BSB
- After [Judas had taken] the piece of bread, Satan entered him. John 13:27 AMP
- Then Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples]. Luke 22:3 AMP
2. May constantly trouble using humans
- Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and terrified him… Saul was still more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s constant enemy. 1 Samuel 16:14 & 18:29 AMP
- And so it was that she spoke to Joseph [persistently] day after day Gen 39:10 AMP
- But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites… But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” Nehemiah 2:10,19 BSB
What to Do?
1. Bind
- how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Matthew 12:29 ESV
- But no one is able, having entered into the house of the strong man, to plunder his goods, unless first he binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. Mark 3:27 BSB
- I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19 NIV
How?
- May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with shackles of iron Psalm 149:6-8 BSB
2. Resist
- Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. James 4:7 AMP
3. Be sober, be vigilant
- Be sober11, be vigilant12; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV
Other versions
- Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 BSB
- Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 AMP
Unbelievers under Satan's power
- I am sending you to them to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:17 BSB
- The god of this age (the devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV
- You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths. John 8:44 AMP
Other versions
- You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and
gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a
murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because
there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is
natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false. John 8:44 AMPC
Footnotes
- 3525 νήφω [NH/FW] {nḗphō} \nay'-fo\ of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet:--be sober, watch.
- 1127 γρηγορεύω [GRHGOREU/W] {grēgoreúō} \gray-gor-yoo'-o\ from 1453; to keep awake, i.e. watch (literally or figuratively):--be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful
- 2666 καταπίνω [KATAPI/NW] {katapínō} \kat-ap-ee'-no\ from 2596 and 4095; to drink down, i.e. gulp entire (literally or figuratively):--devour, drown, swallow (up).
- 1465 ἐγκόπτω [E)GKO/PTW] {enkóptō} \eng-kop'-to\from 1722 and 2875; to cut into, i.e. (figuratively) impede, detain:--hinder, be tedious unto.
- 5548 χρίω [XRI/W] {chríō} \khree'-o\ probably akin to 5530 through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil, i.e. (by implication) to consecrate to an office or religious service:--anoint.5530 χράομαι [XRA/OMAI] {chráomai} \khrah'-om-ahee\
middle voice of a primary verb (perhaps rather from 5495, to handle); to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze" (touch slightly), light upon, etc.), i.e. (by implication) to employ or (by extension) to act towards one in a given manner:--entreat, use. Compare 5531; 5534.
- 1411 δύναμις [DU/NAMIS] {dýnamis} \doo'-nam-is\ from 1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work
- 2109 εὐεργετέω [EU)ERGETE/W] {euergetéō} \yoo-erg-et-eh'-o\ from 2110; to be philanthropic:--do good.
2110 εὐεργέτης [EU)ERGE/THS] {euergétēs} \yoo-erg-et'-ace\ from 2095 and the base of 2041; a worker of good, i.e. (specially) a philanthropist:--benefactor.
2041 ἔργον [E)/RGON] {érgon} \er'-gon\ from a primary (but obsolete) ἔργω [E)/RGW] {érgō} (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work. - 2390 ἰάομαι [I)A/OMAI] {iáomai} \ee-ah'-om-ahee\ middle voice of apparently a primary verb; to cure (literally or figuratively):--heal, make whole.
- 2616 καταδυναστεύω [KATADUNASTEU/W] {katadynasteúō} \kat-ad-oo-nas-tyoo'-o\ from 2596 and a derivative of 1413; to exercise dominion against, i.e. oppress:--oppress.
1413 δυνάστης [DUNA/STHS] {dynástēs} \doo-nas'-tace\ from 1410; a ruler or officer:--of great authority, mighty, potentate. - 6531 פּרך [perek] \peh'-rek\ From an unused root meaning to break apart {fracture} that {is} severity: - {cruelty} rigour.
- 3525 νήφω [NH/FW] {nḗphō} \nay'-fo\ of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet:--be sober, watch.
- 1127 γρηγορεύω [GRHGOREU/W] {grēgoreúō} \gray-gor-yoo'-o\ from 1453; to keep awake, i.e. watch (literally or figuratively):--be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful).