Who is on the other line?

Time To Study

When we are on the track what do we do? Other than trying to win. We study, we study what our competitors do, what our car does, how much we kill with one rip or two, and we take notes of that. We listen, we listen for our competitor, some listen to the radio, you get into the pros, circle, dirt, road courses, and super cars they listen to a spotter or crew chief giving them insights on their pass or how they are doing and what they can improve on. We focus on listening on the track. What about after? We study and take notes right? We study the time slip seeing where we got faster or slowed down, this can alert us if something is wrong in the car. We study the weather, seeing what affect that will have on us. We study our competitors, what they do on the starting line, what they do at the finish line, and what games they might play. During this study we prepare, we prepare the car for the next pass or the next race. We also listen, we try to listen through the noise or screaming engines and other distractions for our call. We don’t want to miss our call so most of us turn that radio up so we don’t miss that call. We listen on track, we listen off track, we study on track, we study off track, and we prepare off track for our next pass making sure the car is ready. Are we doing that with our faith? Are we prepared for the next call? Not only that are we listening for our next call, because their are other classes getting called and a bunch of distractions going on. We have to not only be prepared for our call but we have to make sure that our call is actually our call and not just another distraction. This series I want to help us study on how to discern between God’s call and the enemies’ call. The enemy is the great deceiver and have the Bible to show that. So this sermon will focus on studying your enemy and knowing what they might do to distract you.

So who is our enemy? Those of you who do not say Satan need to open that Bible some more. Satan has been around for a bit right. He was God’s most beautiful angel. His name Lucifer means morning star. His pride took control of him and he rebelled against God and was cast down to earth. Now he has a deep content for God and wants to reign supreme. In order to do that you would have to destroy the one who reigns supreme and all of His creation. So that is what he has done and is doing. Don’t be confused about who satan is, he is here to steal, kill, and destroy. He does this in different ways. Satan has 3 temptations he commonly uses to tempt, lie, and lead us astray with. We see them highlighted in 1 John 2:15–17 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

Lust of the Flesh = craving for physical pleasure

Lust of the Eyes = a craving for everything we see

Pride of Life = pride in our achievements and possessions a desire to “Be” someone (Ego gratification)

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it is what we say right? Well let’s look at how satan uses these three things not only today but in the beginning. Not only does he use them he uses them well.

Let’s look in Genesis quick. Genesis 2:8–9 “Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

Lets go down to Genesis 2:15–17 “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.””

I want to also highlight God told Adam this before Eve was made so Eve was not around for this part. Adam relayed that message to Eve. God was clear though right? Do not eat from this tree or else. Now who here as teenager or even know as a stubborn adult after they are told they can not do something is even more tempted to do that thing? My mom said I couldn’t race a motorcycle and look at me now. We either try to show someone wrong by doing what they say we can’t or we are tempted even more to do something we know is wrong but someone told us not to do it so that makes us tempted. Who also thinks that the enemy is not studying us? That is why it is important to study our enemy. You don’t go into a fight without knowing who you are fighting. An NFL team doesn’t go into a game without watching film and studying their enemy and making a gameplan. I wasn’t there but I can almost guarantee that Adam and Eve, especially Eve, were eyeing that tree down. The reason I say especially Eve was because she was told by man and Adam was told by God and those words hit harder when they come from God. But again I can almost guarantee that they were eyeing that tree down. Satan saw that as he was studying them. Genesis 3:1–7 “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”

Who saw what the devil did there? He asked a question to see how Eve would answer. Asking if they could not eat from any of the trees in the garden knowing very well it was only one tree. Lets look at Eve’s response, we can eat from any fruit expect this one which we may not eat from or even touch or we will die. Who remembers God saying you can’t even touch it? Did Adam add that part when he relayed the message or did Eve add it? I have no idea but that was added to God’s command. God’s command can not be changed or altered. Satan used that to work in doubt along with temptation which I am sure they already had. The reason I am sure of that was because it only took two short sentences to convince them. You will not die, and God doesn’t want your eyes opening and to be like Him. That was all it took because verse 6 says the woman was convinced. The equivalence of our parents saying don’t do that its dangerous and our friend going nahhhhh it looks too fun to be dangerous. Adam didn’t even argue once Eve took a bite, he just took a bite after Eve gave it to him. The devil can and will use those around us to help influence our decisions.

So we see in Genesis that the Devil watches and studies us, comes in to sow doubt, and add onto that temptation. He uses three types of temptation. For Eve it was.

She saw the fruit was good for eating – Lust of the Flesh

She said the fruit was pleasing to the eye – Lust of the Eyes

She said it was good for gaining knowledge (be like God knowing good and evil) – Pride of Life

We see that exact tactic used again in Matthew against Jesus. After Jesus was baptized He was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights. Who here could fast for forty days and forty nights? During wrestling I cut weight, which isn’t healthy but that’s what I did. I went a week without eating then once I made weight or got within 5lbs I added a banana or something like that and a glass of apple juice or water a day. I tell you what that was the toughest mental battle to go through. So imagine 40 days, when the Bible says Jesus became very hungry I don’t doubt it. That is when the devil likes to attack though, when we are at our weakest. Matthew 4:3–11 “During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”

We see those three forms of temptation again lets highlight them incase you missed it.

First Satan tells Jesus that if he is indeed the Son of God that he should turn stones into bread and feed himself, attacking the Lust of the Flesh.

Next Satan tells Jesus that if he is indeed the Son of God it is written that no harm can come to him so Satan tells Jesus to jump off a cliff to prove it, attack the Pride of Life.

Lastly Satan brings Jesus to the top of the world and shows him all the kingdoms, promising to give Jesus everything he saw if Jesus will bow down before Satan – Lust of the Eyes.

Same playbook thousands of years later. That didn’t work on Jesus though. After being tempted Jesus began His ministry. You see how Satan tried to use scripture and God’s Word. He tries to twist it, add to it, lie about it. Did you see Jesus’ response though? He used scripture, didn’t add to God’s Word like Eve did. That goes for us also, when we read and apply God’s scripture to our lives we are not to add or twist God’s Word to fear others or bring glory to ourselves. You see this all around with certain movements. I heard one argument used from the Bible trying to confirm transgenderism which blew me away. They used Matthew 16:13–17 “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”

They say that since Jesus gave Simon the new name of Peter and a new identity that proves that the Bible recognizes the affirmation of new identities from their name to their sex. Once again the devil is trying to twist and add to God’s word. The tactics used by satan have not changed. The things he temps us with have though. Lets look closer at each temptation and how that could look.

Lust of the Flesh = craving for physical pleasure

Who here knows that the flesh is weak? Well if you don’t you do now. Our flesh is beyond weak. That is where satan looks to first to tempt us. This temptation could come in many different forms. Satan will attack you with food, resulting in obesity, anorexia, and other extremely unhealthy conditions. He will also attack with drugs, alcohol, smoking, vaping, and those types of harmful tendencies. Sexuality also comes through as physical pleasure and could be an ego thing also. What about video games? Games that allow you to rob, kill, do drugs, and other toxic things that you allow into your mind to satisfy your flesh while not harming your outside world is still going to harm your spirit. Anything that can destroy our body and or spirit but we get pleasure while doing Satan will use to tempt us. Next.

Lust of the Eyes = a craving for everything we see

Who here says “I need more. I just need this one thing.” I know I do. Or I wish I had that. Our entire culture is based on wearing the right clothes, driving the right car, having the right job, making the right amount of money to afford the right toys, owning that flat-screen TV, and generally satisfying your desire to have what you see because we deserve it. Treat yourself right? Satan works throughout our culture to make sure that we focus on ourselves instead of God. Who remembers when Facebook first came out and we bragged about how many friends we had on Facebook? Or give someone a hard time cause they didn’t add you back yet. 90% of what we post on social media is either showing what we have, bringing someone down, or political. Very little is about God. We will spend hours scrolling seeing what others have instead of spending hours with God. Then we wonder why can’t hear him. We are so busy on our phone we are ignoring His call. I won’t lie this message is just as much for me as it is you. Our Father is relational He wants a relationship with us. He walked along side Adam and Eve in the garden. He literally came down to earth to walk with us. Then He even died for us so we could walk along side of Him again one day. Satan lost his opportunity to walk with God and he hates it. Look in Job, when he found someone that was walking with God and was praising God. He talked God that he wanted to destroy Job so that Job would worship him instead of God. Job lost everything and still praised God. He might have questioned but he still praised. We give God thanks when He blesses us with wins and things of this world. What do we do though when we loose those things. Do we still praise God? Everyone around Job comforted him at first but then they started telling him that God was punishing Him and they judged him. Are we those friends? What do we do when someone looses everything? Do we offer comfort at first but allow our comfort to turn to ridicule? Are we focused on the material instead of the spiritual? Make sure that we are focused on our walk with God more and take time to connect with Him instead of trying to connect to this world. Lastly.

Pride of Life = pride in our achievements and possessions a desire to “Be” someone (Ego gratification)

This is a HUGE one where most of us fall. Simply put Satan convinces us that we are better than others and that our job title, our authority, how many people answer to us, how influential we are, and where we are in the social pecking order matters more than our relationship with God. We are told not to be offended but to instead turn the other cheek and pray for our enemies and those who persecute us. What did you do the last time you were offended? Probably the same things I did – we got ticked off! Why? Because someone dared to transgress against US! Don’t these people know who we are? How dare they!!! And we wrap it in righteous indignation even to the point of claiming that our anger is justified somehow by scripture! Just like what I showed earlier. Satan continues to blind us to what scripture calls us to and instead whispers how important it is to “Be Somebody” and to instead focus on climbing the corporate ladder; or taking over the club or organization you’re in because the people running it now are idiots; or to believe that you are defined by your job title and the number of zeros in your paycheck instead of who you are in Christ! How often to answer the call when satan calls us. With a call of a title or being offended. Something to get under our skin. Just like in racing we wait for our call to respond to. We are meant to respond to God’s call of loved, cared for, His child. Instead we respond to the call of anger, greed, a new title, being triggered. They say to speak your truth right? Who do think wants you to have your own version of truth? When you think you are important enough to form and believe your own truth you will ignore the truth that God is trying to reveal to you and will completely miss His call. The devil wants that, he wants you to believe your truth, listen to yourself, ignore God, chase those titles, get angry, put your job first, chase money instead of God.

Do you see Satan using these three attacks against you in your life? If not, you’re not looking hard enough! So what do we do? We do what Jesus did! When Satan was attacking Jesus, Jesus responded with the Word of God! When tempted to feed himself after 40 days without food, Jesus responds to Satan quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 “Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

When told to display is deity by throwing himself off a cliff, Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:16 – Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

Finally when told he could have the world, Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:13 “You must fear the Lord your God and serve him. When you take an oath, you must use only his name.”

Satan fled, knowing he had been beaten.

What does this mean for us moving forward?

We can do nothing to confront Satan in our own power. Even Jesus had to use the Word of God to defeat Satan. Second, God has given us every good thing, including the means to beat Satan when we are tempted – his Word! Third, Jesus completely understands our temptations because he was tempted in every way like us with the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life. That is why we are not condemned due to our temptations and even failures! Jesus covers us. Lastly, I know that I need to study my scripture so I know where to turn when confronted by Satan. I need to pray the Holy Spirit reveals the scripture to me when I need to it to fight against these three attacks.

The attacks from the devil will not stop until we stand before God for judgement. The attacks are going to be just as consistent as we hope our car will be. I also want to highlight that while our God is everywhere at all times satan and his demons are not. So if you are not under attack ask yourself why? Satan will set out to stop the forward movement of God. He killed Jesus and most recently killed Charlie Kirk. He works to silence those spreading the Word of God. So if you aren’t under attack are you forwarding the Kingdom of God? The forms that satan will attack us from might look different but it will originate from those three things we just covered. Just as our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever so is satan in the ways he attacks. We will fall to temptation, we will answer the wrong call. The question is what do we do when we do? Do we just run in the wrong class? Tell me would a 100 yard sprinter who answers the call for a 2 mile race run it? No! That runner would be like no I didn’t train for this and go back and wait for their call. Just like us, if we answer the wrong call, HANG UP. Go back to the Bible. If you do answer and you are stuck go to the Bible to break free. If you have questions or temptations or feel a calling to do something, go to the Bible. Don’t let those words get twisted though, as satan can and will use and twist the word of God to confuse you to help you fall for sin. Don’t let God’s Word get twisted, satan will try to do to us what he did to Eve, Jesus, and others throughout history. Use discernment, pray, and the more time you spend with God the more you will hear His voice and answer His call. Continue to study God’s word but also the devil. Where he attacks you and where your flesh is weak. Have someone to talk to that will help build you up where you are weak with scripture. Just like a good racer is not near as good with a bad pit crew. Just as an individual is going to be limited by those he keeps close. If you surround yourself with people who drink, party, and live for the world you will be amazed with how much dust your Bible collects and how much dust your phone with God collects. I am going to close with one last verse.

Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

If your phone is dusty there is still good news. God is still waiting on the other end for you to pick it up. He will answer and He will listen. We know how the enemy will attack and the way we fight it hasn’t changed. This series is going to help us grow in this area and how to know when God is calling or when the devil is. This series is going to help us with understanding but it ultimately comes down to each one of us studying and preparing. Let’s close this in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father hollowed be your name, we come before you tonight in the middle of a battle. Lord if we are in the pits getting ready for your call in our lives help us make sure that we are ready to move when that call happens. Help us discern your voice from the enemies. Lord some of us might have dust on our phones and we are ready to clean them off and answer or are ready to reach out for help because we can not do this alone. Help guide us in our studies and help us accurately read, understand, and share your Word. Help us build those around us up instead of tearing them down. Lord there might be some listening that didn’t know they had a direct line to you and you are calling them right now and they are ready to answer and give their lives to you. Lord we want you to come into our lives. We believe that your Son came down and died on the cross for us. We want to live our lives for Him. We know this journey will not be easy but through you and your son no weapon formed against us shall prosper. Lord forgive us of our sins and help us forgive those who have sinned against us. Let the blood of Jesus wash over us and make us a new being living for you. It is in your name we pray. Amen

Thank you for joining!!!

If you would like to do this series in person. We might have an opportunity to do that in Waverly if we get enough interest. If that is something that you would be interested please leave a comment or reach out to me personally.