Devices of the Devil – 2 Corinthians 2:11

Devices of the Devil – 2 Corinthians 2:11

2 Corinthians 2:11 - Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

· Error often begins with ignorance – think about it.

· Devices = from the word noema derives from the Greek word νόημα meaning "thought", or "what is thought about" with intention of purpose.

The world of psychology tries to convince us that there is no devil, no person who is called Satan.

· 2 Timothy 2:26 - And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

· Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

· Wiles = tactics, schemes, strategies, (a careful strategic plan that includes craftiness, deception, misdirection)

· Luke 22:31 - And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

· 1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Just because we cannot see him, it does not mean he is not real. His device is to take advantage of our ignorance.

Lucifer was:

· Ezekiel 28:14-15 - Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

The Devil has:

· His own synagogue – Revelation 2:9

· His own gospel – Galatians 1:6-9

· His own service – 1 Corinthians 10:20-21

The Devices of the Devil

I. Lies and Deception of the Truth = John 8:44 - Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

a. God said you will surely die - Genesis 2:17

b. Satan said “Ye shall not surely die” Genesis 3:4)

II. Evil Suggestions that pervert our hearts

a. Takes advantage of our lusts (John 13:2; Acts 5:3)

b. Unforgiving spirit in the family of God

i. In our main text, Paul warns the Corinthian church so that they will not be ignorant of how Satan works. Specifically in this verse he is discussing the forgiveness of one who has repented. We may have no advantage gained over us by Satan through letting one of our members to be lost through despair and abandonment by our repulsive harshness to one who has repented. Our unforgiveness can is a tool used by Satan to destroy us.

ii. Satan stirs up bitterness, envies, arguments, resentments (James 3:14-15) contrast with (Ephesians 4:32)

James

Bitter envy

Strife in your hearts

Lying

Comes from the devil

Ephesians

Be kind to one another

Tenderhearted

Forgiving one another

Comes from Christ

c. Lure of sexual immorality

III. Inciting persecution of against True Believers (Revelation 2:10)

Our Rebuttal to Satan’s Devices (James 4:7)

I. Submit to God

II. Greater is he that is in me (1 John 4:4)

III. Christ lives withing me (Galatians 2:20)

IV. Resist the Devil

V. Put on the whole armor of God, not just bits and pieces (Ephesians 6:10-18)

a. Satan cannot

i. Force you to sin

ii. Read your mind

iii. Do whatever he pleases to you

Conclusion:

· Resist (make a stand)

Pray and submit to God

· Arm yourselves with wisdom from above

· Forgive one another