5: How to Stand Against the Devil's Schemes

OPENER I love salt water fishing. A few years ago I had one of my best fishing days ever. A week before, I didn't have much success as I watched every type of bait into the water that I had: jigs, top-water plugs, gold spoons, and more. But the next week was altogether different. You see, a friend of mine had chartered a boat with a professional fisherman. He took mental notes on where the fish were and how to best catch them. And so we took that wisdom and set off for about 10 foot of water. Rather than use a fake bait, we used the real thing - live pin fish under a popping cork. I can't remember when I've had more fun. The colorful cork would submerge & fly through the water sideways. We would set the hook, hear the drag scream, and eventually land the gator trout. (caveman grunt) Man, I get excited just talking about it!

These fish were much OLDER & much BIGGER than I had been used to catching with fake bait. Maybe the reason why these fish had not been caught was because they could tell the fake stuff from the real stuff. So why were WE catching them? It’s simple really. We gave them what they wanted, but it was attached to something they didn’t want - something they couldn’t see - the hook. Had they had known about the hook, it's doubtful they would've taken the bait.

The fisherman feeds the fish, it’s never a free meal, because there’s a hook attached.. This is the same tactic used by our enemy - the devil. He is dangerous & relentless.

An Enemy is pursuing you. Peter writes:

1 Peter 5:8–9 (CSB)

Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

Paul writes something similar.

Ephesians 6:10–11

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.

QUESTION: If YOU were the devil, scheming against ______ (insert your name)…what BAIT would you throw out?

What would likely be the enemy’s plan of attack to take you out - to DECEIVE, DISTRACT, or DISARM you so that you make NO DIFFERENCE for the kingdom of God?

It might be temptation to sin OR something good…that becomes your GOD.

Sports, academics, friends, girl/guys, your phone?

Hebrews 12:1b–3 (NIV)

...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

We all have a particular sin that we are more likely to fall to. Where’s the hole in your armor?

What’s the sin that so easily entangles you?

There are students who used to come to this camp every summer…who used to sing to the King, who used to be leaders to others, who used to read the Scriptures & tell others about Jesus…who USED TO…but don’t anymore.

They kept biting the bate and got caught by the HOOK - of sex, alcohol & other drugs, an unhealthy drive for money, popularity, and a desire to RULE their own lives. They kept hanging out with people - friends & boy/girlfriends who helped them unhitch from the dock and float away from Jesus and His people.

YOU are in danger of that too! When you leave this camp tomorrow and real life smacks you in the face…will you STAND against the Devil’s schemes…or will you FALL AWAY?

Some of us have given in so many times to the sin that so easily entangles that our consciences are like calloused fingers - no longer sensitive to the pain.

When Satan’s bait is floated past you, do you quickly bite the bait?

Some of us have learned from the past. It’s been a while since we have tasted the bait, but...we are still drawn to at least take a quick peak.

But what if we were fully aware that the bait - even if it’s real - is hanging from a HOOK?

When was the last time Satan’s scheme was deployed to trip YOU up?

How did it turn out? Did you swim off, take a bite, or just check it out from a distance?

What will you do the next time?

Let’s find out How can we STAND against the Devil’s SCHEMES?

Ephesians 6:10–11

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.

How can we STAND against the Devil’s SCHEMES? The quick answer is: Put on the full armor of God.

Some would say this is some sort of mystical invisible armor that you envision being clamped to your body everyday, but that’s not Paul’s intention.

Paul borrows Isaiah’s imagery NOT to describe the armor God gives, but describe the armor God WEARS…which is really just revealing WHO HIS IS

Let me show you what I mean. First, the Scripture that describes God’s Messiah:

Isaiah 11:1–3a (NIV)

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 11:3b-5 (NIV)

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

When God saw people turning their backs on Him and treating people made in His image unjustly, and no one doing anything about it, God Himself came to their defense.

Isaiah 59:17 (NIV)

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.

Now I probably need to clarify something here. In reality…

The amor of God isn’t what He WEARS…it’s who HE IS!

Armor is imagery to describe the reality that:

God IS righteous.

God IS faithful.

God IS salvation!

So too we are about to see that while we are told to put on the full armor of God…

Check out what Paul says earlier in the same letter.

Ephesians 4:22–24 (NIV)

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

God’s amor isn’t what we WEAR - it’s WHO are ARE.

Before we get to the specific application of what that looks like, we must hear what Paul says next.

Ephesians 6:12 (CSB)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

It’s important to note that Paul writes about being flogged, beaten, pelted with rocks, running for his life, & going without food & shelter - because of PEOPLE who stood against him (2 Cor. 11:24–27). Further, Paul actually named some people he considered enemies, so he is NOT discounting the pain that physical enemies can bring.

But according to Paul, beyond the visible human enemies we rub shoulders with on earth, there is a more powerful INVISIBLE enemy to prepare for.

Back in the day I was in a puppet ministry. [PROP] The children loved & laughed at the puppets. The adults did too. While they both watched the same puppet skit, the adults understood what younger children could not - [pull hand out] the puppets weren’t acting on their own.

The puppets were simply an extension of the puppet masters.

So it is that followers of Jesus must be aware that our fight is not with the puppets alone, but against the puppet masters.

If you’re like me, then much of what is going on in our government & culture is frustrating.

People killing babies by abortion & selling body parts is WICKED.

People applauding & participating in sexual sin is appalling.

Politicians changing like chameleons to match the corrupt culture is infuriating!

But the issue is bigger than corrupt politicians & sinful citizens.

There is a spiritual battle going on [PUPPET ON HAND] that many of us aren’t even aware of: the battle against spiritual forces. And it’s THAT BATTLE, that followers of Jesus must be prepared for.

Alright, let’s BUCKLE UP!

Ephesians 6:14-15 (NIV)

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Paul uses military imagery of clothing & equipment of the Roman army, who policed all the provinces He wrote to. First he mentions the:

BELT of TRUTH

The belt wasn't used to hold up pants or look flashy. It was a leather apron that helped protect the lower part of the body and also clinched his tunic and weaponry closely to him. The belt enabled his equipment to a HELP rather than a HINDRANCE as he charged into battle.

This is the role that TRUTH plays in the life of a believer.

The person clothed in Truth isn’t hindered or distracted when it is time to fight. Truth is the standard for those who follow the one true God. Paul spoke to this earlier in the same letter right after he talked about putting on the new self, created to be like God.

Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

We speak TRUTH, because God is TRUTH.

By contrast, the devil and other demons are LIARS. Jesus calls the devil the ‘father of lies’ (Jn. 8:44). Lying is his native language. So it is that followers of Jesus are to be people of TRUTH.

Is that who YOU are? Is your life held together by TRUTH?

Truth isn’t something we PUT ON…it’s WHO WE ARE in Jesus!

Or is your life full of deception? Put on the belt of truth.

BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Our enemy is unrighteous, but the follower of Jesus is to live in God's righteousness.

Just as the toughness of the soldier's breastplate protected his vital organs, the righteous living of the believer allows him to stand when others fall.

Everyday I pray for my boys to do what is right when EVERYONE is looking and when NO ONE is looking. I pray for me the same way.

When God has made us right, and we live with righteousness, we can stand when the enemy tempts or slanders us.

I don’t know of all about Dr. Ben Carson and his views, and this is not a political plug, but I heard him say something this week that made me want to stand up and holler ‘Yes sir!’

After Neil Cavuto questioned his stand on different issues, Cavuto warned those who opposed him, saying, “They are really aiming for you now.”

Dr. Carson responded with this: “They’re welcome to. The nice thing is, they’re gonna have to make up stuff.”

I don’t know if he can stand the scrutiny. But wouldn’t it be great if WE - YOU & ME - knowing the enemy is going to try to take us out with accusations - be able to say “They’re gonna have to make up stuff” - as we walk in obedience to the Lord, by the power of His spirit - wearing the breastplate of righteousness?

FEET FITTED with READINESS

Then we are to have our FEET FITTED with READINESS that comes from the gospel of peace.

The Devil is at war with God.

In contrast - those who have turned from their sin & responded to the gospel of peace are at peace with God.

Just as the enemy approaches and the Roman soldier digs in with cleated shoes, the believer digs in, confident in the gospel of peace -

confident that God has loved us, forgiven us, made peace with us, & fights for us.

When the battle begins we stand firm knowing the answer to Paul’s question in Rom. 8:31: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” We are to be alert, ready, & confident that we fight alongside the ONE who fights for us.

And we can take the gospel of peace to others - telling them how they too can be forgiven and at peace with God.

We are to be people who live in TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, & PEACE with God!

God’s amor isn’t what we WEAR - it’s WHO are ARE.

Ephesians 6:16 (NIV)

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

SHIELD OF FAITH:

Although we don’t know the whole story, the Devil & other angels didn’t TRUST God and rebelled.

In contrast, when the enemy attacks with full force, we have faith - we put our trust in God.

Faith in Him is our shield of protection! Paul used the term for a shield (thureos) that was about 2.5 feet wide and 4.5 feet high, designed to protect the entire body of the soldier. But this was not just for individual protection.

Side by side this protective wall of shields protected from arrows fired by the enemy, even snuffing out flame-tipped arrows.

As Satan and his demons fire powerful temptations & deceptions it is our FAITH in our living King - trusting Him at His word - that we can stand.

Turn to someone & say: WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER.

Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

HELMET OF SALVATION:

The enemy wants to conform our minds to the patterns of our culture, but God wants to transform our minds to think the way He thinks (Rom. 12:1-2).

John MacArthur writes that the

“Two dangerous edges of Satan’s spiritual broadsword are discouragement and doubt. ...he points to our failures, our sins, our unresolved problems, our poor health, or to whatever else seems negative in our lives in order to make us lose confidence in the love and care of our heavenly Father.”

And then, just as Satan did with Adam & Eve, he will whisper…”Did God really say…?” The believer who stands against the enemy must protect his mind from impurities, deceptions, & accusations.

Paul Washer: “He [the devil] is almost always accusing God to you or accusing you before God. He is always telling you things about God that’s not true. He’s always trying drive a wedge between you and God.”

Be ready. Protect your thoughts by refusing to allow things that dishonor God to stay there.

The old saying: “You can’t keep the bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from nesting you your hair.”

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - the word of God:

The word for sword is a weapon ranging from 6-18 inches long. It was the primary weapon for the foot soldier in hand-to-hand combat and was on him at all times.

It was used for defensive & offensive moves.

This sword is imagery for the word of God. Paul uses the Greek word - rhēma, which refers to individual words or particular statements. In this way, Scripture is not a broadsword (rhomphaia) to be waved indiscriminately, but a dagger to be used with great precision. Further, rhēma could be stressing not just the precision, but the proclamation of the gospel message.

When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He was quick to quote the Scripture with precision, discerning God’s truth versus Satan’s deception. He also, proclaimed God’s word everywhere He went.

Do you know God’s word in context? Do you learn it, live it, & share it? Or is it just another book?

Paul is calling us to unflinching FAITH in Jesus, trusting His SALVATION when doubts arise, knowing & proclaiming His WORD with precision in the power of the Spirit.

God’s amor isn’t what we WEAR - it’s WHO are ARE.

And finally, we see the role prayer plays in spiritual warfare. Notice, no binding of Satan. Instead…

Ephesians 6:18-19 (NIV)

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

Pray often. Be alert.

Pray for other believers to do the same.

And pray for boldness to take the gospel to others.

How's YOUR prayer life? WHO are you praying for?

I don’t think the text we studied today was intended to be about a lone warrior in full armor,

as much as it is about a platoon of people committed to the purpose of obeying Jesus…and being conformed into HIS image.

So what if…what if…we ALL lived this way, watching each other’s back, encouraging each other to keep on keeping on.

So, the next time you are tempted to disobey Jesus, remember that...

Hebrews 2:18 NIV

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

How can He help you? I’m glad you asked!

Trust Jesus for forgiveness & help. Those who TRUST Jesus, those who repent of their sin - receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit - the SAME Holy Spirit that lived in Jesus! He lives IN you and will empower you to live in righteousness.

Read & Heed what the Scriptures say. Wonder what God’s view is? You probably know inside…but take time to examine the Scripture. * This book will keep me from sin, and sin will keep me from this book.”

Make wise choices. (Don’t be Dumb) You know when you are most tempted. Don’t put yourself in a tough situation. Peers who influence, time of the day, isolated, physically tired.

Find the Fire Escape. 1 Cor. 10:13 says God will provide a way out of temptation. Find it and run!

Tell a brother/sister. Sin grows in the dark. Will you tell a fellow believer about your struggle? He or she can pray for you & help you. How does Satan bait your hook? Most people aren’t willing to do this…until it’s TOO LATE.

Several years ago a news story rocked my small community. A teacher & personal friend - a husband and father of 3 young children - my son’s baseball coach - and a guy who I was in a weekly small group for 2 years with - was ARRESTED. A teenage girl was pursuing him & sending revealing photos of herself to him. He resisted but after while gave in and responded to her. He did not mess around with her, but the damage was done. Arrested & fired from his job, I went to see him & his wife the day after his release. He got honest and here’s what he said to me, “Jackie, I stopped reading my Bible. We got too busy for church & small group relationships…Oh if I would have obeyed God in this areas….I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

How many times have I heard, “If I could go back and do it over again…I would Trust God at His word.”

How many families could have been salvaged.

Oh how many self-destructive actions could have been detoured.

Oh how many could have lived in forgiveness and grace instead of fear & shame!

___________________

Dad Jokes - in just a few minutes we’re about to get super serious. But before we do, I thought we would have a little fun with some dad jokes.

Why are Skeletons so calm? Because nothing gets under their skin.

When is chicken soup NOT good for you? When you’re a chicken.

You might say I have a ‘dad bod’, but I like to think of it as a ‘father figure’.

Last week I did something I might need to rethink when I get home. I swapped our bed out for a trampoline, and my wife hit the roof.

I have a confession. I used to be addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but then I turned myself around. And, evidently, that’s what it’s all about.

Tonight we are going to talk about How to Stand Against the Devil’s Schemes.

We have been in a protected place for several days, but we are about to go home tomorrow. It won’t be as easy to do what is right when we leave this place.

The Lord won’t leave you. Christian friends and family should stay close to you as well. But there is an ENEMY, who wants to get you to TAP OUT - to give in and give up.

One of the devil’s most diabolical schemes is to point to the SHORT TERM satisfaction of sin instead of the LONG TERM consequences.

For example

Hebrews 12:16 (NIV)

See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

I was like Esau

My bride forgave me, an example of how Jesus forgave me.

Followers of Jesus can TRUST that Jesus actually CAN and WILL forgive us for our sin.

1 John 1:9 (NIV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Colossians 1:21–23 (CSB)

Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him—if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.

Accountability with my buddy Bill.

discussionquestions

Read Luke 4:1-12. How did Jesus respond to the devil’s schemes and what example does that set for us?

In order to know the Scriptures, we must be reading them. Are you reading the Scriptures consistently? If not, what is distracting you from reading?

Read Hebrews 2:14–17 & 1 Corinthians 10:13. What has/does Jesus do to help us overcome sin?

What are some practical things you can do when you are tempted to sin?

WHY do so many refuse to ask others for help when they are struggling with temptation?

Who is a Christian friend you can ask for help when you are struggling?

How does giving in to temptation show that you don’t trust God & how does turning from temptation prove that you DO trust Him?