IDENTIFYING THE ENEMY - Part 1
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This afternoon’s study is an important one and it is a subject that we have mentioned several times and I think it is important that we spend service talking about it. It is Identifying the enemy.
I. THE TRUE ENEMY IS SATAN
I. THE TRUE ENEMY IS SATAN
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
In the context of this chapter in 2 Corinthians 2, Paul is dealing with one of those who had church discipline performed on him. The fact is that church discipline is a necessary duty of the church at times. This church discipline had the right results apparently because the man was repentant. Paul says restore this one. Forgive him as Christ would – and then goes into verse 11, warning us of Satan, of his advantage seeking and because of the implementation of his many devices.
Now this warning comes at the end of a very important affair, but seemingly clean-cut instruction to restore and forgive this one, that he comes up with this very ominous warning that we are studying.
I believe that the warning here is very important here because it involves that area of churches that require more care and discipline than any other.
When we first start out in church the biggest thing we fight for is doctrine. So we ought to. We try to start it right and keep it right. Usually the progression of this fairly natural as long as the Pastor or leadership is not lured off course.
Other areas we need to take great heed in are the promoting of a devotional life, the imparting of inspiration to reach the world with the Gospel, both here and around the world, and especially a holy and separated life.
But the one area Satan loves to attack, and we must take great heed to, is the area of interpersonal relationships. I believe God put this here in this point, warning of Satan’s devices, warning of his advantage because one thing we are not often able to handle much is dealing with people well. From our own family, to the people at work or school, to visitors in church or the members, Satan has been taking advantage this area for a long time is working here in this church and our lives as well. We must not be ignorant of his devices any longer, and if we are not ignorant and we are aware, then we can better be able to address them as we see them coming.
A. Satan has power in this world
A. Satan has power in this world
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
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.
B. He is very subtle
B. He is very subtle
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
C. He is the accuser
C. He is the accuser
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
D. He is the instigator
D. He is the instigator
And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
E. He is the devourer
E. He is the devourer
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
II. SATAN’S LOVES TO CAUSE YOU TO MISIDENTIFY
II. SATAN’S LOVES TO CAUSE YOU TO MISIDENTIFY
He loves to use misidentification - and get your eyes off of him and on pother people as your enemy.
We need to know who the enemy is. we have identified Satan as the enemy.
A. We misidentify the enemy as our family
A. We misidentify the enemy as our family
• Wives, your husband is not the enemy, Satan is
• Husbands, your wives are not the enemy, Satan is
• Parents, your children are not the enemy Satan is, nor are your parents, children
B. We misidentify our church
B. We misidentify our church
1. The church corporately
1. The church corporately
2. The church member
2. The church member
C. Others we misidentify
C. Others we misidentify
Any individual person.
I don’t care who they are.
III. Satan’s tactics
III. Satan’s tactics
A. Division
A. Division
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
B. Accusations
B. Accusations
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
We don’t want to be known as accusers. Many people feel like it is their calling to figure out everyone else’s problems, or to judge the preacher or a staff member. There is a time for bringing judgment, but we are way to free with it.
Added to that is often false accusations that we throw around or things that we ourselves are guilty of.
C. Judging
C. Judging
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
D. Gossip
D. Gossip
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
E. Bitterness
E. Bitterness
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
F. Unconfessed sin
F. Unconfessed sin
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
G. Pride
G. Pride
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
H. Rage
H. Rage
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
I. Envy
I. Envy
JAMES 3:13-16
What do we need to do -
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.
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
IV. WE NEED TO REPENT OF OUR WRONG ATTITUDES
IV. WE NEED TO REPENT OF OUR WRONG ATTITUDES
As Believers, as Christians, as Leaders, as a church sometimes, when we are hating and judging we are way off course.
A. The sin of hate
A. The sin of hate
But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
B. The sin of not forgiving
B. The sin of not forgiving
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
C. The instruction to love your enemy
C. The instruction to love your enemy
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Why should we do these things:
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.