The Great Deceiver (2)
Notes
Transcript
1. What is the significance of Eve’s interaction with the serpent [Satan] in the garden?
1. What is the significance of Eve’s interaction with the serpent [Satan] in the garden?
She had no fear of him. Satan was not recognized as evil but as a friend, someone who was trying to help. An angel of light!
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
2. How does understanding the nature of satan, lies and deception, impact our trust in the truth of God’s Word?
2. How does understanding the nature of satan, lies and deception, impact our trust in the truth of God’s Word?
We must trust His Word without any doubt whatsoever
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The key to this scripture is who it is written to and their circumstances. The twelve tribes [converted Jews] who have been scattered [persecuted] because of their faith in Christ. Their trust in the Word is crucial at this point because satan could easily do to them what he did to Eve.
3. What measures can we take as believers to ensure our understanding of God’s Word is accurate and deeply rooted in Him?
3. What measures can we take as believers to ensure our understanding of God’s Word is accurate and deeply rooted in Him?
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
The Great Deceiver has many ways he can short circuit our faith if we are not aware of his ways and not grounded in the Word.
When out in public we can feel pressured to conform to the ways of the world compromising our values. This often happens because of the fear being ridiculed or judged by our peers.
At work satan might cause us to wrestle with jealousy towards a coworker because they seem to be succeeding more than us or that they got a promotion we thought we deserved.
At home satan can put distractions of things that have to get done instead of spending quality time with family.
And most of all, when God presents the opportunity to share our faith with others, satan will make you feel inadequate to do so through fear of being rejected or misunderstood.
Recognizing and resisting the deceptive lies of satan is critical for living a faithful and obedient life in Christ.
