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Scripture Reading:  2 Corinthians 11:12-15

THE "GOOD" SATAN DOES

Intro.

1.  Of course, there is nothing good in Satan or about what he does, Jno. 8:44.

2.  But, the deceiver pretends much good, 2 Cor. 11:14-15 (2:11).

3.  Satan comes among the sons of God (Job 1:6-7):

  a.  He came to Jesus to tempt Him, Matt. 4:3.

  b.  He comes to tempt us, Jas. 1:14-16; Blessed by enduring, 1:12.

4.  Satan often disguises himself in good deeds; we must be vigilant.

I. HE ATTENDS EVERY WORSHIP SERVICE (Heb. 10:25; cf. Job 1:6).

  A.  His Motive for Being Present is Evil; what is Our Motive?

    1.  Gladness & joyful worship?  Psa. 122:1; Jno. 4:24; Heb. 13:15

    2.  Grudging presence?  1 Jno. 5:3; cf. 2 Cor. 9:7

  B.  When Satan Attends Worship His Conduct is Disruptive, Job 1:7.

    1.  What about our conduct?

    2.  Reverent in attitude & conduct, cf. Neh. 8:5-6; Acts 2:42.

    3.  Are we truly worshiping: Singing? Praying? Giving? LS? Word?

    4.  Or, is Satan’s presence causing you to offer vain, sinful worship?

II. HE ATTENDS EVERY ELDERS MEETING (or Men's Business Meeting).

  A.  He Tries to Destroy the Leadership of an Eldership, Heb. 13:7, 17.

    1.  By dividing elders among themselves, Acts 20:29-31.

    2.  By promoting a Diotrephes attitude, 3 Jno. 9-11 (1 Pet. 5:2-3).

    3.  By tempting brethren not to follow the rule of scriptural elders.

      a.  By false & unfounded charges, 1 Tim. 5:19-20.

      b.  By murmuring against them, 1 Ths. 5:13.

      c.  By “choosing sides” rather than unity in Christ (1 Cor. 1:12-13).

  B.  Men’s Business Meetings are Often the Devil’s Workshop.

    1.  All levels of spiritual maturity; must build consensus to work together, etc.

    2.  More & more are advocating women in business meetings rather than male leadership, 1 Tim. 2:8, 11-12.

III. HE ATTENDS EVERY BIBLE CLASS.

  A.  He Promotes Wrong Attitudes toward & Wrong Use of God’s Word.

    -(Remember, the devil talks about God & quotes scripture, too!)

    1.  Argumentative, 2 Tim. 2:14, 23.  (Playing the “devil’s advocate”)

    2.  Raises doubts & stumbling blocks, Matt. 18:6-7; Rom. 16:17.

    3.  Tries to usurp control of class, cf. 1Tim. 2:12.

    -Our study must be for God’s approval, not the devil’s! (2 Tim. 2:15)

IV. HE VISITS EVERY HOME (Josh. 24:15).

  A.  He Sits at Every Dinner Table.  (Do you give thanks?  The devil doesn’t!  1 Tim. 4:4-5; cf. Acts 27:33-36)

  B.  He Offers Every form of Evil Entertainment, Eph. 5:8-11 (1 Cor. 15:33-34). (Devil says it will not harm & hurt you!)

  C.  He is Present during Every Disagreement, cf. Eph. 4:25-27.

V.  HE IS ZEALOUS & DILIGENT IN HIS WORK, 1 Pet. 5:8.

  A.  He Will Use Every Situation Against You; cf. 2 Cor. 12:7.

    1.  To discourage you (cf. 12:8).

    2.  To cause you to doubt God’s power & presence (cf. 12:9-10).

    3.  To undermine your faith (Jas. 1:2-3).

    4.  In every situation we must see & do God’s will, having faith that His purposes will prevail, Rom. 8:31, 37 (31-39).

Conclusion

1.  Ignorance of the devil’s devices is fertile soil for him to wreck havoc upon your soul (2 Cor. 2:11).

2.  Watch & pray to not enter temptation (Matt. 26:41).

3.  The armor of God protects us, but we must put on the armor (Eph. 6:10-17).