The Question Game The Devil Can’t Win

Romans 8:31 NIV84

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Introduction

I want you to take God’s Word and turn to the book of Romans —Romans 8. We’re going to have a Bible study, it will be important to you, if possible, that you have a Bible in your hand.

Now, while you’re finding it, may I say that you have an enemy who’s very real? He’s not a figment of imagination. He is your sworn enemy.

His name is Satan. He is your adversary, and he’s doing everything that he can do to keep you from enjoying the blessings that are rightfully yours in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, you may not know that he’s doing business against you, but he is. And, to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

And, I just want to tell you five ways that Satan will come against you, and when I give you these five ways, then I want to show you of God’s antidote to each of these five things and to show you the incredible blessing we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, let me tell you the five ways that Satan will come against you as a believer. Here are five attacks.

First of all, he will come to intimidate you. He comes with intimidation. He wants to intimidate you with his power.

Not only will he come with intimidation, but he will also come with … He’ll plant in your heart and mind a fear of deprivation. That is, he will tell you that if you don’t follow him, you’re going to be deprived of this thing or that thing—that it costs to serve Jesus, it costs every day, it costs every step of the way. And, he’ll, very frankly, tell you that the cost is not worth it—you’re going to be deprived.

Now, if that doesn’t work, he’ll come along with accusation. He will accuse you. He will inform you that you’re no good, you’re not worthy, you’re undeserving, you’re not fit to be a Christian, you’re not qualified to be a Christian. And, he will accuse you.

Following on the heels of accusation will come condemnation. He will condemn you. He’ll tell you you’re not truly saved, that your sins are not under the blood—there is no forgiveness—that when you die, you’re going to hell, that you are condemned in the sight of a righteous and a holy God.

And, on the heels of that, he’ll come along with the doctrine of separation—that God’s going to leave you, forsake you: you’re on your own, and you’re not going to make it.

So, there are the key words here that we’re going to be looking at: intimidation, deprivation, accusation, condemnation, and separation. These are the flammable darts of our enemy.

Now, the devil likes to ask questions. He came. He crawled his slimy, corroding path onto the pages of history with a question: “Did God really say …?” (Genesis 3:1) It was a question. The Devil likes to play the question game. He’s good at asking questions.

He even had the audacity to ask God a question—an insinuating question: Job 1:9 ““Does Job fear God for nothing?”

He had the nerve to as Jesus a question -

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. Matthew 4:1–10

The devil likes to play the question game. So I’d like for us to ask him some questions today. I want us to ask the devil five questions.

These questions are going to come right out of the Word of God, and these, my dear friend, are five questions the devil cannot answer and it ought to start the joy bells ringing in your heart to show you that you do have victory over the adversary.

I. The Question of Intimidation

Question number one: Romans chapter 8 and verse 31. Here’s the first question; look at it:

Romans 8:31 NIV84

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

I’d like to ask the devil that question: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) And, that deals with the question of intimidation.

Now, the devil would like to intimidate you. And, you just say, “Now, wait a minute, devil. Do you think that you’re going to use your power to intimidate me? So, I want to ask you this question: If God is for me, who can be against me?”

Now, the word used here, in the biblical sense, means “if God is our substitute.” Christ died for our sins. He died for me. That means He died instead of me. So then, for instance, it’s not just that God is on my side. It means more than that.

It literally means “if God is in my place, if God is for me, if God is my substitute, who can be against me?”

Now, both God and Satan, in dealing with me, they really have to deal with my substitute. Yep! They have to deal with my substitute.

Look what it says in

2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV84

that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

So, when Satan comes against me, I say, “Now, wait a minute. Don’t deal with me. You have to deal with Jesus because I’m in Christ, and He’s in me, and He died for me. If God is my substitute, is for me …”

And, when God the Father looks at me, He doesn’t see me; He sees Jesus Christ. God is for me. My safety is in my substitute. And, it’s so wonderful to know that God is for you.

Well, what do you in a situation of intimidation?

“Well, first of all, I’ve got to get a verse,” because any form of satanic intimidation must be refuted with the Word of God.

So let me give you one verse, but many more can be found in the Holy Bible. You’ve got to get a verse—something that You can stand on, something that You can pray from.”

And so, God gave us a verse.

Isaiah 54:17 NIV84

no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

Isn’t that a beautiful verse? Listen to it again: /

Listen, Satan wants to, in all kinds of ways, to intimidate the people of God.

We need to understand that it’s not always going to be all honey and no bees.

I mean, Satan is going to come after us, and we will suffer—and we’ll suffer unjustly sometimes.

I want you to turn 2 Tim.3:12 If you think it’s all just going to be pink lemonade, look in

2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV84)

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Then Turn to Luke chapter 21:12-15

Luke chapter 21, verse 12. Jesus is talking about the hardships that are going to come on believers, and He says in verse 12:

Luke 21:12–15 (NIV84)

“But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

Jesus is saying that will be persecution ahead, but Look at verse 14: “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves: For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”

The devil will try to intimidate you, but friend, listen, if God is for us—if God is for us, if God is for us; literally, “if God be in our place, if God be our substitute,” which He is—who can come against Him?”

I want to share it with you another passage that deals so emphatically with what I’m talking about—of God being for us. In Isaiah chapter 41,

Isaiah 41:11–14 (NIV84)

“All who rage against you

will surely be ashamed and disgraced;

those who oppose you

will be as nothing and perish.

Though you search for your enemies,

you will not find them.

Those who wage war against you

will be as nothing at all.

For I am the Lord, your God,

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you.

Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,

O little Israel,

for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Let’s Look at it again

Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,

O little Israel,

for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,

I can’t think of anything more defenseless and more apt to be stepped on than a worm.

I mean, I can’t think of anything more vulnerable than a worm, and God called Jacob “worm”: “O worm Jacob.” (Isaiah 41:14)

But, He said, “Look, worm. I’m with you.” Now friend, I tell you what: you’re coming up against a mighty army when you come up against a worm and Almighty God.

I mean, you think about it. You’re like a worm with God, and you’ve got an incredible amount of power. That’s what He’s saying. He’s saying, “Look. It’s not you.” “Fear not, O worm Jacob, O little Israel; I will help you, declares the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 41:14)

Now, when the devil gets on your case and he tries to intimidate you, you ought to just open your Bible to Romans 8 and verse 31. Don’t argue with him; just say, “I want to ask you a question, devil: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ ” (Romans 8:31) Isn’t that a great question? You think the devil’s got an answer for that one? Friend, he can’t answer that question.

II. The Question of Deprivation

All right. Now, here’s the second question. The devil says, “All right. If you serve God, it’s going to cost you. You’re going to lose out. You’re going to miss life. You’re going to miss happiness. You’re not going to have your needs met.”

Well, let’s look in verse 32 at the second question. Here’s the second question:

Romans 8:32 NIV84

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

“Devil, that’s a question I want to ask you: If God gave Jesus to me, how shall He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

Now, the Apostle Paul was a man of great logic. As a matter of fact, if you read the book of Romans, you’re going to read one of the greatest legal treatises ever written.

Now, it’s written by divine inspiration, but Paul didn’t put his mind in a closet when he wrote the book of Romans.

God took his logic, his mind, and God anointed it with holy fire. But, Paul now is using reason in all this: “If God is our substitute, when they come against us, they’re coming against God. And, if God be for us, who can be against us?” That’s question number one—no intimidation.

And then, if God gave us Jesus, He’s going to give us everything else. There’s no deprivation.

Now, look at the logic: If God sent Jesus to die for us while we were enemies, how much more is He going to take care of us now that we’re His children?

If God gave us the great gift when we didn’t ask for it, how much more shall He give things to those who ask Him? If God gave His beloved Son, “how shall he not [also] with [His Son] freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32

I think about this illustration. …(ask someone from the congregation

If I were to say to you, “xxx, can I have your son, xxx?” “What do you want to do with my son xxx?” ” “Well, I want to take your son. I want to abuse him, mistreat him, beat him, finally torture him and murder him. Will you give me your son, that I might do that to him?”

Of course, You wouldn’t. You would die before You’d let me or anyone else do that to one of your children. You wouldn’t give your son.

But, suppose, for some strange reason, you could be persuaded to give your son, that that might be done to him. And then, I said, “By the way, since you’ve given me your son, can I have his Videogame and bicycle?” You’d say, “Sure.” I mean, if you would give me your son, if you would not spare your son, how much more would you give me anything else?

That’s Paul’s logic:

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Rm.8:32

Now friend, if there was a promise that God was ever going to go south on, it would have been the promise to send Jesus. He kept that one.

All the rest of them are yes and amen in Christ. Isn’t that right? I mean,

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

And so, if the devil comes to me and says, “Hey, Sam, if you’re going to serve God, you’re going to come up short; you’re going to be deprived,” I just want to read this verse to him. And, I say, “Devil, can you answer that question—Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

That’s the second question the devil can’t answer.

III. The Question of Accusation

Now, here’s a third question the devil can’t answer: the subject of accusation. Look in verse Rom.8:33 “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.”

Now, the devil is called “the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night” - Rev.12.10

Night and day he wants to accuse. He is “the accuser of our brothers.”

His very name, devil, means “slanderer,” and he is just that. And, he will accuse you.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you’re not going to be accused. It means “who is qualified to do so?” Many are going to try, but there’s only one who could rightly accuse you, and that’s the One who has declared you justified.

You see, God has already justified you. Look, if you will, in verse Rom.8:30 “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

Now, if you’re justified and there’s only one who can accuse you—rightly accuse you—and that’s God … And, God has justified you. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Universe is not going to reverse His decision.

Now, you see, in Rome—and Paul was a Roman citizen—in Rome, when a man would commit a crime, that man would be put in court, adjudicated guilty, then he’d be put in prison. And, on the prison door would be nailed a certificate of death; that is, “This is what this man has done. Thus and thus and thus has he done. Here is the penalty that has been prescribed by the court, and this is what he must do. This is the bill he must pay”—a certificate of death. Now, when that man, if he’s been put in prison for a year, or two years, or five years, or whatever he must do, that is there on his cell door or that is there in the record. And, when he has paid the price to society, then they would stamp that bill “paid in full,” give it to him. He could carry that with him. That crime is now behind him because that bill is stamped “paid,” very much just like we do today when we stamp a bill “paid.” And, when they would write on that bill, they would write the same word that Jesus Christ uttered from the cross: “finished.” Now, it’s three words in our English language: “It is finished.” (John 19:30) One word that Jesus literally said: “Tetelestai,” and it means “paid in full.” It’s exactly the same word that they would put on the prison door. And, what Jesus said when He died for our sins is not “I am finished” but, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) What is finished? Redemption is finished. It is paid in full.

Now, with that in mind, I want you to—you’re in Romans—just go to Colossians for just a moment—Colossians chapter 2 verse 13.

Col.2:13-14 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. —now, watch it—He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; —that’s what was written on our death certificate and nailed to the prison door. All our sins, the written code, its regulation, that was against you. - he took it away, nailing it to the cross.”

Look at it: the charges against you is no longer nailed to your prison door (death). He took it and nailed it to the cross. And then, when it was nailed to the cross, He paid that debt in full and said, “Now tetelestai. It’s paid. It’s paid!”

Now, my dear friend, if it is paid, then “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” Romans 8:33

I mean, who can do it? And, the devil tries, dear friend, to accuse you. Just step out of the way. Don’t argue with him. He’s not worth it. Just read Romans 8, verse 33: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” (Romans 8:33) You’re justified in the sight of God by the blood of Jesus Christ, who paid our sin debt in full.

IV. The Question of Condemnation

So, my dear friend, there’s no intimidation. There’s no deprivation. There’s no accusation. That brings us to the fourth question I’d like to ask the devil. It follows on the heels of the third question: “Who is he that condemneth?”

(Romans 8:34 “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

Now, my dear friend, the devil would like to put you under a load of condemnation and guilt, but I want to refer you back to chapter 8 and verse 1:

Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”

Now, there are a lot of people who try to condemn you. The world is full of people who’ll try to condemn you.

The only one who’s qualified to condemn is Jesus, and He won’t do it. That’s what it says.

Look:

Romans 8:34 “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

The only one who is qualified to condemn … Who is the only one qualified to condemn? It’s Jesus. You see, the Bible says in John 5:22 “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,” (John 5:22)

Now, for Jesus Christ to condemn the one for whom He died, He’d have to reverse everything that He did. I mean, He would have to undo His four mighty works.

A. Christ Died for Us

Notice the logic again of Paul: Christ died for us; He died in our place. For you to be condemned would negate Calvary. You say, “But what if I sin after I get saved?” My dear friend, the Bible says in 1 John 1:7 “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

—not cleansed; it purifies us from all sin.

B. Christ Was Raised for Us

But, not only did He die for us, dear friend; He was raised for us. Look at that verse again. Look at it—Rom.8. 34 “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—.”

His resurrection was the receipt for our salvation.

Romans 1:4 “and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”

He’s “declared to be the Son of God with power … by the resurrection from the dead.”

It’s one thing for a man to say, “I’m going to die for your sins.” It’s another thing for God to prove that He did when He raised Him from the dead.

C. Christ Reigns for Us

But, not only was He raised for us; He reigns for us. Look again at this verse. It says here, “He is seated at the right hand of God.” (Romans 8:34)

In the Old Testament, a priest never sat down. There was no chair in the tabernacle. But, in that tabernacle in heaven, our Lord is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

That is, He is reigning. He is the Redeemer. He is the raised Redeemer. He is the reigning Redeemer. He’s sovereign over this whole affair.

D. Christ Makes Intercession for Us

And then, look again. It says, “He is also interceding for us” … Romans 8:34

He’s constantly pleading for us and pleading on the basis of His shed blood. You know, the Bible says in Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”

Jesus is praying for me and praying for you. That’s what He said.

Look, who can condemn you? Christ died for you. Christ was raised. Christ is enthroned. Christ is interceding for you, for me.

Who can condemn somebody who has such a Savior?

And, every time Satan would come with accusation and accuse you before the Father, do you know what your defense is? It’s the uplifted, nail-pierced hand of Jesus making intercession for me, for you.

V. The Question of Separation

So, the devil comes, and he says with his bluster to intimidate you … I’ll say, “Now, wait a minute, devil. You don’t intimidate me. I’m not afraid of you. ‘If God is for [me], who can be against [me]?’ ” (Romans 8:31) The devil says, “Well, you’re not going to have your needs met.” I say, “If God sent Jesus to die for me, He’ll give me everything I need.” He says, “Well, I accuse you of this, or I accuse you of that.” I say, “Who [can] lay any thing to charge of God’s elect?” (Romans 8:33) He says, “Well, you’re going to hell.” I say, “There’s only one who can send me there; His name is Jesus. And, He died for me, and He’s interceding for me. And, how do you think I’m going to be condemned because of that?”

Then, last of all, he says, “Well, what if God gets tired of you? What if God forsakes you? What if you get separated from God?” So, I want to ask him the final question. Here’s another question the devil can’t answer; look at it in verse 35:

Romans 8:35 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Friend, that’s a question the devil can’t answer: “

Romans 8:35–39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

You get the idea that one day God’s going to get tired of you and that somehow you’re going to get separated from God.

Now, what Satan does—He likes to use these tragic experiences listed here to make you think that you are separated from God.

But the Bible says—these tragic experiences can’t separate you from God!

What are they? Trouble/ Tribulation—it doesn’t say you’re not going to have tribulation.

Hardship/Distress—he doesn’t say you’re not going to have distress.

Persecution—he doesn’t say you’re not going to have persecution.

Famine—he doesn’t say you’re not going to have famine.

Nakedness—he doesn’t say you’re not going to have nakedness.

Danger— He doesn’t say you’re not going to be in danger.

The sword, which may mean death—he doesn’t say that won’t happen to you.

He says, “In all these things”—not “in the absence of these things”—“ in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37)

Now friend, you get your security not in circumstances but in the cross, and not in appearances, not in time, but in eternity and in Bible truth.

All of these seven tragic experiences can happen to the child of God.

Let me read to you what the apostole Paul wrote in 2 Cor.11.23-28 Paul talks about these false apostles; he says,

“Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. -Said in 1 Cor.15.31 “I die every day— - Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

—boy, we have a pretty easy Christianity today, don’t we? “Now, you know, pastor, it’s raining. We just couldn’t make it out to church.” Or, “You know, it’s Sunday. It’s kind of hard to get there. It’s the only time we have to rest”—

And then, he goes on

“Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

. Now, Paul didn’t say these things wouldn’t happen to you.

They certainly happened to him. But, he said, “They cannot separate you from the love of God.”

And then, not only does he mention these seven tragic experiences; he mentions ten strong opponents that can’t do it. Look.

He says death can’t do it and life can’t do it—“neither death, nor life.” (Romans 8:38)

He’s talking about things that happen in the visible world, things of life and death.

And then, he says, “angels, and principalities, and powers can’t do it.” (Romans 8:38)

He’s talking not only about the visible, material world, but he’s talking about the unseen world. There are demonic powers, and the host of hell come against the child of God—and will do more and more. But, he says, “Those things can’t separate you from the love of God.”

Don’t get the idea that the devil could take you away from God. Friend, if he could, he would. If he hasn’t, it’s only ’cause he can’t, or else he’s been mighty nice to you. And, if he’s been mighty nice to you, that means that you’re going to heaven by the goodness of the devil. That’s a strange doctrine.

No, my dear friend, the only reason he hasn’t is ’cause he can’t. If he could, he would have.

You see, principalities and powers have no power over God’s mighty love. The invisible world—and then, he says, “things present, [and] things to come.” (Romans 8:38) Time can’t do it. Anything now or anything that may ever come can’t separate you from the love of God. I don’t care how long you live or how long eternity is. “Things present, [or] things to come.” (Romans 8:38)

Then, not only does he mention time; he mentions space: “Nor height, nor depth.” (Romans 8:39) He mentions every realm—the material, the spiritual. He mentions, my dear friend, time and space.

And then, in case he left anything out, he just wraps it up and says, “nor anything else in all creation” (Romans 8:39) If you think you can think of something that he left out, then he just covered the space.

There’s not a more complete statement in all literature. And, what is he saying? He’s just saying, folks—now listen to it: there is nothing can separate you from God’s love—nothing!

Now, the devil would like for you to believe that somehow God’s going to cast you off, but He will not. He will not. He will not.

Conclusion

Those are five questions Satan can’t answer. Sometimes, when he gets on your case, say, “Devil, I’ve got some questions. I want to read them to you. I want to see if you’ve got an answer for them.” And friend, there is no creative being that has the answer to those questions because there is no answer.

It’s not because we hold on to Him. I think you’ve heard the story of the little boy and his daddy—busy intersection. His daddy said, “Son, hold on to daddy’s hand. We’ve got to cross the street.” The little boy put his hand up there to hold on to his daddy’s hand. And, you know, a daddy’s forefinger is about the size of a little boy’s grip. The little boy got hold of the daddy’s finger, and they started across the street. And, the light changed sooner than the father expected, and the oncoming traffic came. That dad just reached down, and rather than letting that little boy hold his finger, he just got that whole little boy’s chubby fist in his hand and they start across the street, the little boy just dragging his toes as he went across the street. When they got to the other side, the little boy said, “I held on, daddy.” Well, friend, that’s the way we hold on because there’s one who holds us, and He’ll never let us go.

And, that dirty devil will pull all five of those tricks on you, but “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

Let’s pray. Father, I thank you that there’s no intimidation, no deprivation, no accusation, no condemnation, no separation for those who are in Christ Jesus. And Father, I pray tonight that you’d help the children of God to rejoice in that and, Lord, for those tonight who’ve never stepped out of sin into grace, that tonight they might receive Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. In His wonderful name I pray. Amen.