Spiritual Strength for Daily Living (Part 2)

Lesson #13:
The Nature of Satan

Scripture Texts: 1 John 3:8; John 8:44; 2 Timothy 2:25-26; Luke 13:16; Matthew 8:16; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8 Today's lesson is not a pleasant one, but necessary nonetheless. We must know of danger before we can prepare ourselves against it. Satan is the supernatural being who is opposite to God. He is the ruler of the kingdom of evil. Satan is God's enemy; he is completely evil. He gives sin and death to his children. He takes them to hell. He is a deceiver of mankind who is destined to eternal hell where all unclean spirits will be tormented forever. Our only hope of overcoming his many wiles and tactics is our obedience to the all-powerful Jesus. Please realize that it is impossible to cover this subject thoroughly in just one lesson. MEMORY VERSE: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. — James 4:7

The Father of All Evil

First John 3:8. The devil sinneth from the beginning. This is as far back as we can go. He has always sinned. There is no good in him. It is said that in his unmixed quality is his strength. He introduced sin into the world. He that committeth sin is of the devil. The devil has followers, all sinners. They are his children.

John 8:44. Ye are of your father the devil.... He was a murderer from the beginning ... abode not in the truth ... a liar, and the father of it—fundamentals of Satan's character. Light, life, and truth are of God and are necessities to man. Darkness, death, and lies are the nature of the deceiver. He transforms himself "into an angel of light" to deceive (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Second Timothy 2:25-26. Snare of the devil. He traps and makes captive. There is only one way to escape from him; that is through Jesus Christ. See John 3:36. Repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. One of Satan's snares is to take away the Gospel from one's heart and sow tares (see Matthew 13:25). He blinds the minds of unbelievers, shuts out the "glorious gospel of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:4), and leaves them in darkness.

Luke 13:16. Whom Satan hath bound. Satan binds physically as well as spiritually. This woman was crippled by a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. We read of the devil causing a dumbness, blindness, deafness, and insanity. Not all of Satan's work brings sickness that leads to death. For this reason we must fortify our daily lives with spiritual strength. The devil has angels—servants carrying on his work (see Matthew 25:41).

Power in God's Word

Matthew 8:16. Possessed with devils. Satan has devils, evil spirits who are subject to him. They sometimes enter into the bodies of people, controlling their thoughts, words, and actions. Many instances of demon possession are recorded in the New Testament. There are many demons, one or more of which can take control of a person. In Luke 8:30 a legion filled one man. In John 13:27 Judas became possessed. Not all followers of Satan are demon possessed, but there is danger of becoming so as one yields to him and dabbles in his interests. He cast out the spirits with a word. Demons can be cast out only by the power of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 2:14. He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. The purpose of Christ's becoming a man was so that He could conquer the devil—by His death. Satan's only strength lies in his power to deceive. He who gives life met him who gives death and conquered him. Oh, praise God!

There is only One who is omnipotent. That is God. Satan is not. We know that God limits Satan (see Job 1:12; 2:6; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Christ has power over Satan (see Matthew 8:16; Mark 1:27, 34). Christ came to destroy Satan and his works (read 1 John 3:8), and He succeeded. God is the only omniscient One. Satan does not know all; sometimes it seems that he does. He knew what God had commanded Adam and its effects. He knew Jesus, and seems to know our weak points and how best to attack to overthrow us. Satan is not omnipresent, he just seems to be everywhere. There is no place man can go where the temptations of Satan cannot reach him. Satan walks in the earth (read Job 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8). He is the "prince of this world" (John 14:30), and the "prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). Read Ephesians 6:12. Thank God for our rock of shelter and protection in Jesus Christ!

Our Defense

James 4:7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil. These are two decisions in one. One will not work without the other. Give God all your heart. Leave no room in your heart, your thoughts, or your conduct for Satan. Make no room for him to work through the flesh. Read Romans 13:14. Satan is the source of sin. We need to fear and shun his influences. It is a serious matter. To conquer him, we need the power of God by the Holy Spirit.

First Peter 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant. Think seriously. Watch and pray. Be constantly alert to the leading of God. See Matthew 26:41. In salvation, eternal vigilance is the price of victory. We have an adversary—an enemy—the devil. He, as a roaring lion, is out after prey, seeking our eternal souls. There is great danger, but we have ONE place of safety–Jesus Christ, the Rock of our salvation.

JUST A THOUGHT

You will never get ahead of anyone
as long as you are trying to get even with him.

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