Satan: The Greatest Threat to Victory

INTRODUCTION:

Satan is truly the greatest threat to victory we will ever see.

He is victorious in his efforts because of his tools.

Today, we are going to consider the tools that he uses and why these tools actually make him a threat.

In 1 John 2:12-14, John writes to the “little children” regarding their spiritual state.

That last verse is crucial for our study today (1 John 2:14).

I. SATAN IS A THREAT BECAUSE OF HIS TOOLS.

His most common temptations.

Sin is what mankind does when he loves the world more than God (1 John 2:15).

I cannot love this world.

Not only am I instructed not to love the world, but I cannot love the things that are in the world.

Why?

If I love these things, I cannot love the Father.

When we love something, we do whatever we can to serve it.

Remember what Jesus said (Matthew 6:24)?

The Devil has figured out what works best (1 John 2:16).

He knows exactly what makes the carnal side of humanity work.

Is that really all that surprising considering how carnal that He is?

He is an expert in carnality.

While Satan tries to get us in any way he can, these are his “classics.”

He used these to tempt Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6).

He used these to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).

Following these temptations destroys us in the end (1 John 2:17).

The world is not going to live forever.

It has an expiration date.

If we follow it, we too will have an expiration date.

What does not pass away?

God and His word (Matthew 24:35).

Therefore, if we do the will of the Father (God), we too will not pass away.

Examples of these temptations.

What is the lust of the flesh?1

Definition:

The lust of the flesh is that temptation to feel physical pleasure from some sinful activity—to do something to make the flesh feel satisfied.

It can involve any type of sinful activity that will bring pleasure to the body.

Examples:

Sexual sins.

Gossip.

Physical Violence.

Drug abuse.

And anything that pertains to the physical side of man.

Paul gave us an example of these works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).

What is the lust of the eyes?2

Definition:

The lust of the eyes is that temptation to look upon things we shouldn’t look upon, or to have things that we shouldn’t have.

In other words, it is to cast our eyes upon something with desire or pleasure, even though God has told us not to look upon those things.

Example (2 Samuel 11:1-2).

What is the pride of life?3

Definition:

The pride of life is that sinful temptation for excess greatness or power that we all feel the temptation to attain.

Pride itself is one of the sins that God hates.

Example:

Desiring to get credit or glory for things that others (or God) did.

Desiring for others to worship us or hold us in excess esteem, “to make a name for ourselves.”

Desiring to feel valued or more important than others around us.

Desiring to have positions of power over others in a way that puffs up our own ego for the sake of bragging rights. (Jesus said that those who desire to be great should be the greatest servant).

Consider what Isaiah said about one of the kings (Isaiah 14:12-15).

II. WHY ARE THESE TOOLS A THREAT?

It promises us an escape.

“We deserve this.”

For Eve, temptation provided her an escape from being below God.

It would place her on an equal playing field with the Lord.

She desired that so badly that she did not even think about the consequences.

The Devil wants all of us to stop and consider the world and all it has to offer.

“Life is so rough. I deserve to do this.”

Nothing but problems.

Sadly, even when we go for that escape it only brings us more problems.

Genesis 3:7.

It promises us pleasure.

Joseph.

Joseph was tempted constantly by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:7-10).

Here was his masters wife commanding him to commit sin (Genesis 39:12).

So many people would tell Joseph:

“You deserve to have some fun. Think of all you have been through.”

He had been hated by his brothers and sold into slavery.

He was so far from his normal life and as far as one can tell from the chapters God is not present.

Even still, Joseph denied the pleasures of sin.

He fled from this woman.

Only to be thrown in prison (Genesis 39:19-21).

For doing what was right, not pleasurable.

Moses.

Moses also was given opportunity to sin but overcame the temptation of pleasure that is only found for a moment (Hebrews 11:24-26).

All that Moses could have enjoyed.

All that he could have done, but he chose to follow God instead of doing what was easy.

It promises us “fulfillment.”

Jesus was tempted with this feeling.

We are tempted that if we just do that one thing we will be fulfilled.

Satan wanted Jesus to be filled physically with bread after fasting.

Satan tells us similar stories.

“If you get this much money you will finally be happy.” “If you do this act you will finally be happy.”

So, too often we give in to the temptation.

All that ends up is emptiness.

And what do we feel?

Empty.

Solomon understood that true fulfillment is not found in the things of this world (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11) but the Lord that we serve (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

III. KEEPING SATAN FROM BEING A THREAT REQUIRES...

Mature in the faith.

Growing is not just physical.

Growing is not just a physical process.

It is also a mental and spiritual one (2 Peter 3:17-18).

This process should be a daily practice.

There should not be a time when we do not grow.

We cannot be stagnant in our growth for Christ.

Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t be like Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6-7).

These individuals had been explicitly told that they needed to avoid this tree.

Yet, the three temptations of Satan created enough doubt that they partook and died.

They were not killed in that instance but they did begin to die.

What they would not have experienced happened because of Satan’s masterful temptation.

The ultimate “blessing” that Satan put before them (the pride of life) was rewarded in the exact opposite by humiliating them.

Be like Jesus.

He faced the Lust of the flesh (Matthew 4:1-4).

Jesus had been fasting for forty days.

He had to be hungry.

Is it not interesting that the first thing the Devil does is prey on the weakness that Jesus would have been physically facing?

What would seem like a decent and even honorable request, it was actually one of the lowest of blows the Devil could have started with.

“I know you are hungry.” “That is where I am going to start.”

Jesus faced the Pride of life (Matthew 4:5-7).

What was the sin here?

The Devil is saying: “Show everyone that the Lord is among them.”

Appealing to Jesus’ pride.

He wanted Him to make a big public declaration where the Angels catch Him.

If they catch Him, He must be God.

Jesus faced the Lust of the eyes (Matthew 4:8-11).

Satan just does not understand anything but worldliness.

He cannot contemplate that Jesus would not want to have earthly kingdoms.

He really missed the point (John 18:36; John 6:15).

How did Jesus avoid succumbing to these temptations?

Three seemingly simple words.

“It is written.”

Had Jesus not been immersed in Scripture what might this scripture read?

We can avoid temptation by applying the same standard to our lives!

We become as strong as Jesus was.

Even we are at our weakest points.

All by remembering what the Bible teaches (1 Corinthians 10:13)!

Pray when you face it.

Don’t treat prayer like an afterthought.

It seems like prayer has become an afterthought in the Church.

We have in so many cases put prayer in only the “expected” areas of life.

Food.

Church.

Hardship.

How sad is it that what James said (James 5:16) is an incredibly well known verse but not an incredibly well applied verse.

Remember what Jesus did when He was faced with temptation before the cross?

He prayed (Luke 22:39-42).

The disciples fell asleep (Luke 22:45).

Imagine if they had listened to Jesus.

Perhaps, they would not have fled when Jesus was taken away (Matthew 26:56).

Our imitation of Christ is in every aspect of Him that we can find to mimic (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Do good.

If you and I focus on doing good everyday of our lives we will have little time to do that which is evil.

This also means that if temptation comes our way, we will be ready!

Do good (1 Peter 3:8-11).

CONCLUSION:

The threat is not over.

Our victory is secured in Heaven, but we can willingly walk away from it (John 6:66).

Remember, Satan wants nothing more than for us to lose.

Don’t let him be the threat that he wants to be.

Overcome and be victorious!

WORKS CITED:

1 Unknown. Three Temptations of Sin (Lust of the flesh, Lust of the eyes, and the Pride of Life). https://www.revelation.co/2015/07/28/three-temptations-of-sin-lust-of-the-flesh-lust-of-the-eyes-and-the-pride-of-life/ Access Date: 10/23/19.

2 Ibid.

3 Ibid.