Introduction: The Bible has much to say about our arch enemy - the Devil.  Listen to this list that comes right from the Word of God.

Gen. 3:1-14 He was disguised under the Edenic serpent

Gen. 3:15 He is the serpent's seed

Isa. 14:12 He was Lucifer, son of the morning before the fall

Ezk. 28:14 He was the anointed cherub that covers

1 Chr. 21:1 He energized David to evil

Job 1:7-2:10 He accused and afflicted Job

Mt. 4:3 He is the tempter

Mt. 12:24; Acts 10:38 He is the prince of the demons

1 Tim. 4:1-6 He instigates false doctrine

Mt. 4:4; Lk. 4:10-11 He perverts the Word of God

Mt. 12:22-29 He works in demon possession

Zech. 3:1 He is Satan, the Adversary

Lk. 4:13 He is the devil, the slanderer

Jn. 13:2,27 He caused Judas to betray Christ

Acts 5:3 and Ananias to lie

2 Cor. 4:4 He blinds people spiritually

1 Pet. 5:8 He seeks to harm believers

Eph. 6:11-12 He heads a celestial hierarchy of evil

Eph. 2:2 He indwells the unsaved

Jn. 8:44 He was branded "a liar" and "the father of lies" by Jesus

2 Thess. 2:9 He works diabolic miracles

Jn. 8:44 He is a murderer

Jn. 12:31; 14:30 He is the prince of this world

Lk. 13:16 He blinds people physically and spiritually

Mt. 25:41 He is a fallen angel

Mt. 13:38-39 He sows tares

Mt. 13:19 and snatches away the Word

Rev. 20:1-3 He will be bound during the millennium

Mt. 13:39 He is "the enemy"

Mt. 13:38 "the evil one"

Eph. 6:10-20 He is routed by Spirit-directed prayer

1 Pet. 5:8-9 He is overcome by faith

1 Thess. 2:18 He hinders God's will in believers

Rev. 12:9 He is the deceiver

Rev. 12:9; 20:2 He is the dragon, that old serpent

Lk. 10:18 He fell from a sinless high estate

Lk. 22:31 He viewed Simon Peter as a target

Jn. 3:8, 10 His children are unsaved people

Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10 His ultimate fate is Gehenna

 

Our modern day society scoffs at the idea of a personal devil. However, the Bible makes it very clear that we are in a spiritual battle with an enemy who seeks "to devour" us.

 

We struggle with sin more than we let on. Though this is true there should be no condemnation when there is a heart that realizes the struggle and wants help.  Some struggle with sexual purity, or wrong thoughts of the heart, or other secret sins.  Identify with that thing you struggle with as we study this very important passage of scripture today.

 

I. The Reality of Our Spiritual Battle . . . "resist the devil . . ."

The struggles come from within and from without, but much can be traced to Satan's work. The devil is mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments. From Scripture we learn:

 

A. His ability is great though limited by God . . .

1. He is called "the anointed cherub" (Ezekiel 28:14) and Lucifer or "morning star." He was an archangel.  He has personality, volition, ect.

2. His fall from heaven is described in Isaiah 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.    Now he is the arch enemy of God.

 

B. His aim is specific and deadly . . .

I Peter 5:8 says he seeks to "devour you." This word “devour”  means "to drink down."

It is used 5 other times in the New Testament and is translated "swallow" His aim is devour or swallow you.  When we swallow something it becomes a part of you.  He wants to be in every aspect of your life.  He wants to consume your life.

1. He deceives the mind.

2. He destroys the body.

3. He depresses the heart.

 

C. His attack is continual and personal . . . (Ephesians 6:12) Read

He has a legion of demons to do his work. They want you to make the same mistake that they made - refuse to obey God and turn against Him.  Did God make you a husband, Satan wants to ruin that.  Did God make you a mother - Satan wants to ruin that. As a Christian you are to live for God, but Satan wants you to lose your testimony.  There is nothing worse than to have a Christian man, woman or young person have their testimony destroyed and be put on the shelf by God.

 

II. The Requirements of Our Spiritual Battle . . . "Submit to God, resist the devil."

Our fight against Satan and his strategies revolves around two principles of living: Submit and Resist

Are you struggling right now?  Are you struggling with desires that you know are wrong?  Don't believe the lie of the world that everything will be alright if what you are doing is against God!

 

A. Submission to God is required to resist the Devil

The word “submission” means "to place oneself in order under." To often people will talk about resisting the devil, but they leave off the first part!

 

1. Submission to God’s dominion . . . an acknowledgment that He is Lord of life. Job "feared God and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1).

If God tells us what we should do in His Word and we refuse to do it, there is no resistance to Satan.  Such a person will be swallowed up by Satan.  They are destroying themselves. 

 

2. Submission to His decrees . . . what the Lord decides, we accept and enjoy.

So many refuse to accept the fact that God in in control.  Are you bitter about some things you have done in the past because you knew it was against God?  We must submit to God's will and word.  When we fanaticize about being someone else we are not submitting to God's decrees. How do we get over this?  By admitting to God the need and then thanking God for everything He is doing in our life. As the great hymn of old declares:

 

The Lord is King! Who then shall dare

Resist His will, distrust his care,

Or wonder whether He really sees,

Or doubt the wisdom of His decrees?

 

3. Submission to His demands . . . what the Lord requires, we do with delight.

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;(John 8:31). From the story of the marriage of Cana, we have Mary‘s words, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." (John 2:5) is the great test of discipleship today.  The Lord's demands are the best to follow.

 

B. Resist the devil

The word "resist" literally means "take your stand against."

This word represents both defensive and active military efforts. Satan looks for you. Resist the devil's arguments (he's a liar, and resist his attractions (they're deceptive).

 

How do I resist Satan?

 

1. Know his tactics - for we are not ignorant of his devices.(II Corinthians 2:11).  When does Satan strike you at your weak point?  When you are alone? When you are weak?  Set your boundaries when you know your weaknesses.  Satan attacks when there are no boundaries set.  Use some illustrations of putting this to practice: pornography, over-buying with credit cards, alcohol.

 

2. Be decisive - Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.(Ephesians 4:26,27).

The longer you let this thing you struggle with go,  the more the Devil gets a foothold.

What do you do?  Confess the sin and then get some people you trust and who will keep your confidence to be accountable to.  The longer you think you can handle it on your own the more you will probably fail.

 

III. The Results of Our Spiritual Battle . . . "and he will flee from you."

 

A. The devil can be defeated

You don't have to live in fear that you can't escape what now has you in it's grip. Our submission to God will result in the defeat of Satan every time.  There is no need for evil spirits to be cast out of a believer, or to go through some therapy session for removing Satan’s control - the defeat of Satan is wrapped up with our submission to God.

 

B. The devil will be determined to try again . . . (Luke 4:13).

Jesus submitted to His Father's demands and was decisive against the devil.  If you are not struggling right now, watch out, he is looking for an opportune time to attack you. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. 

 

C. The devil will ultimately be destroyed . . . (Isaiah 14:15)

Don't think you are not in a battle.  As soon as you take action against Satan he will flee from you.  Stay alert.  Keep within the boundaries.  Praise God He giveth more grace.

 

I believe some action needs to be taken by some today.  When the invitation is given I encourage you to come and make a decision to begin resisting the devil’s attacks in those areas of your life that you have been falling in and not resisting.