Apostles Church

Satan and demons are to some who are biased by a Western scientific worldview, perceived as myth, folklore, legend. We invest scientific observation and human reason with ultimate authority and let it sit in judgment over any claim that challenges it. Two objections to this (adapted from Clinton Arnold): 1) Could God’s revelation in sacred scripture trump human reason? Scripture is not against reason, but often times above it. Maybe our reason is flawed and God’s revelation is higher and carries more weight with regard to what is real. 2) Science is unable to decide the question about the existence of evil spirits. Evil spirits do not have a tangible physical existence, so modern science does not have the tools for verifying or denying their real existence. So, the question of their existence does not depend on scientific observation but on revelation and human experience. Human experience tells us purely naturalistic explanations are inadequate to explain many of the extreme evils in the world. UofCalif Historian Jeffrey Burton Russell, who has taught at Berkley, Harvard, ND after looking at all the atrocities in history became increasingly convinced of the real existence of a traditional devil who he described as, “a mighty person with intelligence and will who energies are bent on the destruction of the cosmos and on the misery of its creatures.” Consider racism, genocide, sex exploitation of children; concentration camps…the bible attributes these things to more than just the sinful impulses of people, but to radical personal evil. Remember CS Lewis’ wise words to us, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” The greatest lie that Satan told is that he does not exists.

But we believe he does exist. He is an angel of great power and intelligence created by God who became full of pride. Wanting to be God, he gathered 1/3 of the angels to his side and rebelled against God. Rev 12 tells us he was defeated by the archangel Michael and was kicked out of heaven where he took his war against God to earth. He deceived Adam and Eve into siding with him against God introducing sin, guilt, death and condemnation into the world. In Christ, we are rescued. Satan is defeated by the cross (we saw that last week), but he is not destroyed. His doom is certain and Christ victory will be consummated at his Return where Satan and his demonic hosts will be finally eradicated. But, until then, he is a relentless foe and vigorously oppresses us. Our passage: lively language, under attack, wrestling in the nitty gritty details of daily life with these spiritual enemies; attacked by an enemy who assails us with fiery darts. But how? What does it look like on a daily basis for us to wrestle and strive against Satan and his servants? We need to know this because in any fight, victory is largely dependent on knowing your enemy’s plan of attack. 2 Cor 2.11 ESV “we would not be outwitted (taken advantage of, exploited, cheated) by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs (the product of an intelligent process).” What are his schemes: Opposition; Temptation; Accusations. Opposes the Truth; Tempts us to Sin; and He Accuses our conscience. How do we stand against this and overcome it.

Opposes the Truth. Romans 1:16; Romans 10:17; Romans 10:13ff. 1Peter 2:23 we are born again, given new life by the abiding word of God. Satan adamantly opposes people hearing and understanding the Gospel. 2Cor 4:3-4 blinds the minds of unbelievers so as to keep them from understanding and belief. Mark 4 – snatches away the word. Looting – Violent vandalism. Distracts from listening. Convince you there are more pressing things than sin and judgment and forgiveness, salvation, eternal life like shopping and dating and entertainment giving you lots of fun things to do while he leads you further away from the things that ultimately matter. He stirs up objections and prevents the stirring up of objections to your objections. He will create doubts, while trying to keep you from doubting your doubts. He will divert your attention away from the main thing – Christ incarnate, crucified for sinners, buried, risen, exalted reigning and one day returning in power and glory; he will turn your attention away from the command to respond to this Jesus and turn your attention to minor peripheral matters: convince you that you need to have all your questions about the origin and age of the earth answered or know where Cain got his wife, or whether or not the flood was universal. Promote False Gospels. Gospel of Spirituality.  2 Cor 11.3-5 “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4) For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” Satan leads astray by presenting another Jesus, a different Gospel and a different spirit. Not every spirit is a good spirit. There is the Holy Spirit and there are evil spirits. Spirituality is not a good thing. Demons actively promote spirituality, an involvement with spirits, and will promote them through people that are false teachers – teachers demonically inspired to promote this false gospel. Illus: NYC Spirituality. NY Mag article claimed NYC is medium capital of the world. “From the storefront palmists watching CNN in the glow of their neon signs to the most prestigious Fifth Avenue seers, psychics rival trainers and nannies as city dwellers’ indispensable support staff. In the secular culture of the city, they’re as close as some of us get to spiritual.” Article goes on to list the top mentalists, palm readers, clairvoyants, astrologers, even shamans in the city and the rates they are paid. It is Christ-less spirituality. It is people empowered by spirits, not the Holy Spirit. One spiritualist included in the article is Patricia Masters: “She’ll tell you everything about your career, health, and love life, then ask you for questions. She’ll close her eyes, turn her head, move her hand around in your general direction, and conduct brief conversations with her voices. “Oh, really? Hmmm. Interesting.” She’ll then face you, open her eyes, and make declarations. “They say your body does not like orange juice.” She does make predictions, and she offers very specific advice, particularly where nutrition is concerned. Here’s what not to expect: any explanation of who “they” might be.” Warning: 2 Cor 11.13-15 “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.” This is very real. I have counseled people in our city who have practiced these kinds of spirituality and have interacted with demonic spirits who present themselves as caring and helpful. But when these people turned to Christ, and threw out terra cards and crystals they found these spirits turned on them, threatened them and physically harmed them. Satan keeps people from the true gospel by promoting a false gospel of spirituality. If you are messing around with spirituality, palm readers, certain forms of new age yoga, terra card readers, or worshiping at the alter of Oprah you need to renounce those things and turn to Christ. Gospel of Religion. This is more common and was a problem in the early Church. False teachers promoting a salvation of “Jesus plus…” Satan will convince you that you are OK, not a sinner in need of mercy. You are a good person. Pride. On the moral ladder you are looking up at prostitutes and drug addicts. The Gospel of Jesus is that we are sinners whose only hope is the grace of Jesus not our religion or works. Our Response: Stand by putting on the Belt of Truth and standing with your shoes made ready with the Gospel of peace. Embrace the True Gospel.

Tempts to Sin. Satan is the Tempter, the deceiver, the liar who always tries to lead us away from God into sin and rebellion. He seeks to reinforces the appetites of our flesh, exploit our sinful impulses and encourage our natural inclinations toward evil. He does this by Presenting the bait while hiding the hook. God is holding out on you; this is what will make you happy. Painful consequences. In my ministry have counseled a lot of men who have been devastated by the hook. You have to look past the bait and see the hook. Thomas Brooks said it this way: “we ought to look on sin with that eye with which within a few hours we shall see it.” Satan will tempt you at opportune time. Jesus’ temptation, Satan sought an opportune time. “There is no conquest of sin until you turn from the occasion to sin.” Brooks. In particular when you are idle. Idle time flows to the area of your weakness. Be prayerful and alert (6:18). Don’t give idle time to web or channel surfing. Sin is crouching at your door. The danger of giving into temptation is that you can give Satan a foothold, ground where he gains greater influence in your life, scales greater heights in your life; patterns are established. Enough is enough. Response: Stand by resisting and putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness. Take up the Sword of the Spirit. Jesus confronted Satan’s attack by quoting Deuteronomy. He quoted passages he was reflecting on, had memorized and commanded Satan to be gone. What if your success depended upon your ability to quote Deuteronomy?

Accuses our Conscience. Satan is constantly accusing us. Satan means accuser, prosecuting attorney. Rev 12 accuses us before God day and night. Bringing up our sins and demanding that we be condemned for them. He accuses us – “God could never forgive that.” “God’s mercy is for other people.” “You will never overcome that sin or struggle.” “You have failed to much to be used by God.” “You are destined to be this way and you can’t be changed.” “You can’t be a Christian…” There are sins I have confessed and been forgiven for that still come to my mind and bring embarrassment and shame upon me and feelings of guilt and condemnation. I am barraged with lies about God and myself and his feelings toward me. Sometimes the enemy will influence evil thoughts and then accuse and condemn you for having them. Difference between accusation and conviction. Accusation – despair (your sin is made bigger than the Savior); Conviction – hope. Accusation is shame based; conviction is relationship based. Accusation is general; conviction is specific. Accusation is ongoing, but Conviction ends with confession and repentance. Sometimes the enemy will move others to speak things to us that accuse us. Are these thoughts from Jesus? Response: Stand by taking up the shield of faith to extinguish flaming darts. Put on the Helmet of Salvation. Answer every accusation by looking to Jesus who was crucified for your sins.  -----In all of this, Jesus is our hope. He is our armor. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Stand in the strength of the Lord. Depend on him and resist the devil.