Who is Your Father?

Just for clarity we are not talking about your physical father. We are talking about spiritually. Spiritually their are two options: God or Satan. Their is no other option. If you are not for God, you are against. Their is not Switzerland in spiritual warfare. Tonight we are going to talk about characteristics of if God is your Father and if Satan is your father. READ SCRIPTURE. How would you like for someone to tell you, your father is the devil? That would hurt.

If God is Your Father...

We are going to hit on three traits.

The first is children of God abide in his word. What does it mean to abide in the word? When I think of the word abide, dwelling comes to mind. We are to dwell in the word. That means we come to the word often. That means the word characterizes our life. We live according to God’s word.

John–Acts 8:30–36. If the Son Sets You Free

Those who abide in the word will find that the Bible speaks to them, argues with them, warns them, and frees them from the cords of their own sin.

...the Word of God characterizes your life.

Second their life is characterized by agape for God. We have talked about this godly love a many nights.

…you have an all consuming love (agape) for the things of God.

Thirdly we are a people that is sent into the dark. Christ came into this dark world. We get sent into the spiritual dark places to be a part of rescuing people from the dark.

…you walk faithfully to shine the Gospel light in the spiritual darkness God sends you to.

If Satan is Your Father...

We are going to talk about five traits of those who follow the devil.

First their is a focus on the physical. Their last name so to say. The Pharisees focused on worldly customs and possessions. Also they took pride in their genealogy. When they focused on their ancestry Jesus done something I find very useful to do when having spiritual conversations. Find a detail someone is right on and then acknowledge and build off that point. Your identity could be in last name, being the tough guy, sports, music, etc.

…you find identity in worldly temporary things.

Secondly you are a slave to sin. Always the concept of Marley’s Ghost comes to mind. Sin ways you down in ways you never realize. everyday you add one link after another to it. As life goes on their is more you have to do to numb yourself to the weight. Getting saved breaks the chains and shackles. That’s why you can’t help but to dance like David did (2 Samuel 6:14-16).

…you are heavily chained to sin and its consequences.

Thirdly you are an accuser. They accused Jesus of being born immorally. If you are of satan you become an accuser. The pharisees began to feel the pressure of the word, so they start pointing fingers. Questioning the authenticity of the virgin birth. Think about often when people get in trouble they start making excuses and putting blame elsewhere. Or what is the best way to bring down somebody? Accuse them of something because you can distract or discredit. This though is why it is important for us to all follow the words of Titus 1:7. Don’t give people a foothold on your testimony. Devil wants to stop you and will give it his all to do so.

…you ignore your sins by being an accuser to bring attention to other people.

Fourthly God’s word makes you uncomfortable. You cannot bear the conviction. You fight the draw of God. You may lash out at the draw of God.

…you are unnerved by the Word of God.

Fifthly you are a liar. The devil is characterized by lies. Lies become something of second nature to you. Respect and trust for you will be lacking. You are dishonest. A little white lie to benefit you is nothing.

…lies are justifiable.