1 Peter 5:8–9 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

James 4:7–8 KJV 1900

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

YOUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL

YOUR ADVERSARY, THE DEVIL

TEXT: “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith” (). (See also .)

INTRODUCTION: Mr. Average Christian doubts the reality of his “adversary the devil.” (This could be the reason he is “Mr. Average.”)

Jesus and the devil

A. Jesus defeated the devil in the temptation conflict. Jesus’ weapon was the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (see ).

Matthew 4:4 KJV 1900

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matt. 4:

B. Jesus declares that the devil is the enemy that sowed tares in the field as men slept (see , , ).

Matthew 13:24–25 KJV 1900

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

C. Jesus’ ministry—a vast part of it—was delivering men and women from the devil’s agents ( ).

Luke 13:15–16 KJV 1900

The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Mark 5

The apostle Paul writes

A. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers” ().

2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV 1900

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

B. “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” ().

2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV 1900

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

C. His “thorn in the flesh” was a messenger of Satan ().

2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV 1900

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

D. We must be prepared to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10–12 KJV 1900

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph.

Some of the things and ways he performs towards Christians.

A. He makes us so problem-conscious that when we see “the wind and the waves” we sink into defeat. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.”

B. He feeds the cancer of pride that too often paralyzes us.

C. He stirs up “love of money” and love for all that money can buy.

D. As in Eden—so now—he makes sin—

1. Good to look at.

2. Good to taste.

3. Good to make wise.

E. He tempts us to low-level living—to choose a good instead of a better or the best.

What shall we do about it? God’s Word tells you what to do about it.

A. “But he gives more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to dejection” ().

James 4:6–8 KJV 1900

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

B. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world” ().

1 Peter 5:6–9 KJV 1900

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

1 Peter 5:

C. “Little children, you are of God, and have overcome them; for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” ().

1 John 4:4 KJV 1900

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

D. “Then the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” ().

Romans 16:20 KJV 1900

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Hallock, E. F. (1975). More Sermon Starters (pp. 26–27). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.