10 Truths About Satan and Demons Part 2
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
1. Satan and demons were created good.
1. Satan and demons were created good.
Perfect
With free will
Sinned
2. Satan has followers.
2. Satan has followers.
Spirit beings Revelation 12:7
Human beings 1 John 3:8, Ephesians 2:1-2; Colossians 1:13
3 Satan has power and authority.
3 Satan has power and authority.
to disguise himself 2 Corinthians 11:14
to do miracles 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 16:13-14
to make people sick Luke 13:16
to get people to do his bidding in opposing Christians Revelation 2:10
to blind people to the truth of the gospel 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Matthew 13:19
to appoint leaders of world kingdoms Luke 4:5-6
4. Satan and demons have limitations.
4. Satan and demons have limitations.
spatial limitations Mark 5:13. Evil spirits can only be in one location at a time.
knowledge limitations. 1 Corinthians 2:8.
power limitations Luke 22:31
5. Rules the nations of the earth.
5. Rules the nations of the earth.
John 14:30; 1 John 5:18-21; Luke 4:5-6
Jesus called Satan the ruler of this world. John 14:30
There are aspects of the world with Satan’s control. 1 John 5:18-21
18 We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
We are in the world and affected by Satan’s power. Our country has laws contrary to God’s will that affect us. Some countries have laws more blatantly opposed to the things of God than the US. For example Canada, hate speech against homosexuals. Moslem countries forbidding Christian worship. Communist China laws against public worship. India, laws against evangelism.
Satan’s power includes setting up people in positions of governing authority. Luke 4:5-6.
5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.
Jesus didn’t dispute Satan’s offer. This doesn’t mean that all those in government positions are there because Satan wants them there.
Implications:
Implications:
Give thanks we know God and know His plan.
Be wise. Don’t defy the human governing authorities without godly convictions.
Get involved in the political process. Learn what to support. Share with others what is right. Vote.
Pray earnestly!
6. Satan and his followers are doomed and defeated but still free.
6. Satan and his followers are doomed and defeated but still free.
Romans 16:20, 1 John 3:8, Heb. 2:14, John 3:16, 2 Cor. 5:21, Romans 10:13, Rev. 20:9-10
God gave us the entire story of Satan’s involvement in the affairs of humanity from beginning to end. Satan interfered with God’s plan, but is unable to defeat God and his followers. Our story begins with God walking in the garden of Eden with our ancestors, Adam and Eve, and ends with God walking with all God’s children in the restored garden of Eden. Satan interrupted God’s plan for humanity to live in harmony with God and the sons of God in a garden that would fill the earth. They did this by deceiving Eve who ate of the forbidden fruit and gave to her husband Adam who ate with her. God said that in the day they ate from the fruit they would die. Satan tried to destroy God’s creation and his first attack was damaging. But it wasn’t lethal. God set in motion a plan to ultimately defeat Satan and restore humanity. The Scriptures are clear that Jesus came to defeat Satan.
1 John 3:8 ESV Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
Satan, called the tempter, works against God and the people of God. Jesus came to destroy Satan’s works.
Hebrews 2:14 ESV Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
It is hard for us to comprehend that the eternal son of God became a man. How that is even possible baffles our minds. Perhaps more baffling is that the reason he did was to destroy the power of death and the one who held that power, Satan. The most famous verse in the Bible tells us, “for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Satan was defeated at the cross when Jesus took away Satan’s threat over humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned, death entered the world. From that moment it seemed as if all would be lost, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. All would die because the penalty for sin is death. Satan was a murderer from the beginning and knew that every physical death would separate people from God forever.Then Jesus did the unimaginable. He became a man and died on the cross to pay for everyone sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
How would it be possible for sinners to escape punishment? Jesus said, “I came that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Romans 10:13 ESV For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
And so it was that on the cross Jesus satisfied God the father for the sins of all people. By doing so he destroyed Satan’s power.
Revelation 20:9–10 ESV 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
And so now we have the end of the story. Satan and all his followers will die for all eternity. All of God’s family will live in harmony with him and the divine sons of God in the new heaven and the new earth for all eternity.
Satan’s power is broken but he isn’t powerless. Jesus disarmed Satan and his followers. Col. 2:13-15
Implications
Implications
Don’t fear.
God is allowing Satan and his followers to continue to be free for a short time. Whatever they do or try to do cannot defeat God’s plan. Things will be hard. Satan will have minor victories. But the end is certain.Our goal isn’t to defeat Satan but to resist him.He’s already defeated. Act like it. He tries to mess with us, simply to resist and he will run away. He cannot touch us or harm us.Everything we do has to be with God’s end in mind. Satan attacks us by trying to change our perspective. If we keep a godly perspective, there is nothing he can do to harm us.
Don’t believe Satan’s accusations.
Satan has no basis to accuse us before God. Our debt to God is erased. Col. 2:14
Satan and his followers have been disgraced, put to open shame by Jesus victory Col. 2:15.
Satan and his followers have no power over us 1 John 5:18-21
7. Satan and demons can inhabit non-Christians.
7. Satan and demons can inhabit non-Christians.
Luke 22:3; John 13:27, Luke 11:24-25; Mark 5:10-13
Although I don’t imagine this happens much, Satan, himself is able to inhabit people. Satan Luke 22:3; John 13:27
3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.
This is an odd but well known biblical principle. Satan and demons are able to inhabit non-Christians. I don’t say possess, but if that were the case, then a demon-inhabited person could never be saved or delivered but they have been. We need only think of the man with a legion of demons in Mark 5.
10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
There are unique characteristics of what happens to a person when he or she is inhabited that we will look at in more detail another message about demonization. For now, it will suffice to acknowledge it can happen to non-Christians.
Implications:
Implications:
Don’t give up on anyone. Share the Gospel and pray for everyone. Even a person who would seem beyond hope, like the main in Luke 5 can be delivered and saved!
8. Satan and demons cannot inhabit but can attack Christians .
8. Satan and demons cannot inhabit but can attack Christians .
1 Cor 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16, 1 John 4:4, 1 Peter 5:8
This may be the most asked question about spiritual warfare, “Can a Christian be demon possessed?” The answer is a clear “No.” How can I be so certain?
1 Cor. 6:19 tells us we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 6:16 says God is living with us. and 1 John 4:4 says
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
John contrasts who is in us, God, and Satan, who is in the world. End of story.
Even though we can’t be inhabited, even though Satan is defeated and his power is broken, Satan and demons can and do attack Christians. 1 Peter 5:8 says that Satan actively opposes all Christians!
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
The English word “Satan” is a transliteration of a Hebrew word, which means “adversary,” or “opponent.” The word satan is used multiple times in the Old Testament, often referring to anyone who is blocking or challenging someone else. For example:
The angel of the Lord opposes Balaam (Numbers 21:22–32).
Two of David’s bloodthirsty warriors, Joab and Abishai, make life difficult for the king (2 Samuel 19:22).
Solomon faces political opponents after he turns from God (1 Kings 11:14–25).
In each of these episodes, the Hebrew Bible calls these figures satan, because they are acting as adversaries.
What can Satan do to us?
Foothold Eph 4:26-27 - by sin
Harassed 2 Cor. 12:7 - by a thorn in the flesh
Oppress Acts 10:38 - “to cause serious trouble to, with the implication of dire consequences and probably a weakened state—‘to cause severe hardship, to oppress, to overwhelm.’ Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996).
Entrap or snare people 1 Tim 3:6-7 - by pride
Christians can do Satan’s will 2 Tim. 2:25-26 - by quarreling
Implications
Implications
We are in Satan’s cross hairs! Satan opposes you and me! He is our adversary.
Be alert for possible attacks any moment. It doesn’t mean it will happen every day, but be alert.
9. Satan promotes his agenda by demonic teaching.
9. Satan promotes his agenda by demonic teaching.
1 Timothy 4:1
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
This is Satan’s most successful tool for opposing God. Teaching people to live religious lives by following things taught be demons. All the false religions of the world are teaching of demons. Many teach the supernatural basis for their beliefs. Islam and Mormonism claim to be based on teaching delivered by angels, that we know are demons!
Implications:
Implications:
Religious pluralism is demonic.
Study and teach the word always be ready to share God’s truth with others. 2 Timothy 4:2
10. Satan has infiltrated the Church.
10. Satan has infiltrated the Church.
2 Cor. 11:13-15; Matt. 7:22-23, Matt. 13:24-30
I’m not talking about those false religions in the previous point. This sounds harsh doesn’t it? Consider
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
There are other verses that say the same thing.
Implications:
Implications:
Don’t believe what you hear because you hear it from a Christian preacher!
1 John 4:1 says not to believe every spirit but to test the spirits!