Know Satan's Tactics (Eph. 6:10-20; John 10:10)

INTRO

Anxiety-ridden time.

Sociologists will probably be studying the effects of this pandemic for a while.

Anxiety— people react & not always in the healthiest ways— trying to gain control over a situation in which they feel helpless.

Shaken in ways they’re not used to

thrown off their usual ways of thinking/acting.

THIS COULD BE A TIME WHERE SATAN TRIES TO CREATE DIVISION IN THE CHURCH.

Derail the mission of God by creating division in the people of God.

David Jeremiah— Satan in the church? Yes, I’m pretty sure I’ve sat next to him a few times too!

NT calls the Church to be united.

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1–3, ESV)

We’re to be growing in unity more and more. “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:12–13, ESV)

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8, ESV)

Paul begs two women in the church to “agree in the Lord” in Phil. 4:2.

A Church united carries out the mission of God.

—Satan would love to distract us.

We’ve all felt the anxiety of these times. It’s been the topic of discussion in some of our elders and deacons meetings. As we come back together in the building, some of our people here and some at home online, we want to take time to encourage unity.

For 3 weeks, I’ll preach a short series of 3 sermons— “The Spiritual Battle for Unity.”

Today: Know Satan's Tactics

Next week: Know Your Conscience & Responses

The next week: Know How to Disagree with Others and Still Maintain Unity

Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

I hope all of what I say today is a reminder. I hope you know all of this, but that the Holy Spirit will convict our hearts where it might be needed and encourage us all together on this mission God has given us.

Armor of God

Purpose: to stand firmly against the schemes of the devil (v.11)

Pursuing unity is a spiritual battle— v.12

We can turn it into strictly an earthly battle of the flesh

Our goal then: to destroy a person/group of people who are made in the image of God, which then we are acting out of our flesh.

Instead of acting out of the Spirit and responding to situations in a righteous way because Jesus has already given us the victory over Satan and his ways.

Why are we so prone to turn to our flesh and try to win arguments based on our best human reasoning and putting down of other people, when we can rely on the Holy Spirit to speak truth in love and do so in a way that actually cares for other peoples’ souls?

So many people in our world have given into Satan’s ways. So many advocate and celebrate evil in our world. And it is so easy out of our flesh to want to battle against them, but that is a battle that is misdirected.

WWII- Rupert (British—American: Oscar). Cloth bags filled with sand and straw made to resemble paratroopers. D-Day. Movie: The Longest Day. Distracts their focus from the real battle zone.

It’s possible to stand for truth AND love others. Because they’re made in the image of God; because God could save them. And maybe God would use us to help bring someone to salvation.

We must stand for truth— only offensive piece of armor is the Bible— the Sword of the Spirit.

Truth— our society doesn’t value truth in general.

Social media driven culture, people share things without even reading them; without checking to see if its true. This is Christians and non-Christians.

I think we could argue that we live in the most biblically-illiterate time in the history of our country because the Bible is not even allowed in places where it used to be where some people would at least hear it even if it wasn’t being taught.

It’s no wonder, then, that the Truth of Scripture is not pursued or valued in our culture.

RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. The very first tactic of Satan was to get Eve to doubt what God said.

And this still happens today. Satan wants to blind people to the truth of Scripture.

And he loves to spread what is false. Even within the body of Christ. Christians tear others down, make decisions, or respond in ways because they bought into a lie.

Know Satan’s tactics— it can be summarized in John 10:10.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)

Steal. Kill. Destroy.

This is what’s happening in our world. Satan tries to take it into the Church as well.

Stealing joy. Phil. 4— two women; context- rejoice in the Lord always.

Killing— thing of the evil of abortion. Of other murders— the hatred that has to be in someone’s heart. Blinding people to the truth that all people are made in the image of God.

Destroying. Think of the evil of addictions that are destroying families, even peoples’ lives. Think of so many other ways Satan lures people into what is false and brings about destruction.

We’re in a spiritual battle. And the one who we are battling against is trying to steal, kill, and destroy.

KNOW SATAN’S TACTICS.

But let me also encourage you— DON’T BE AN INSTRUMENT OF DIVISION. Satan works through people.

“Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:1–6, ESV)

Satan is the god of this age, or god of this world. He blinds unbelievers from seeing the light of Christ.

But sometimes even believers can be blinded. The proof is in Peter. Matt. 16:21-23

Even after Jesus said the incredible things he did to Peter in v.17-19, Peter turns right around with his eyes on the things of man instead of the things of God.

DON’T BE AN INSTRUMENT OF DIVISION.

It might be through

careless words,

spreading falsehood

Harboring bitterness

Developing jealousy

Focusing on our preferences more than the things of God.

Church, we are in a spiritual battle for unity. And never forget that the victory is already found in Jesus Christ.

The only way we can be at peace with others is when we understand that we can have peace with God through Jesus Christ (GOSPEL).

Let’s be prayerful and peaceful, not divisive.

Let’s keep our eyes focuses on the things of God, not the things of man.