Scripture Reading: Job 1:6-12

Satan and Temptation

Intro.

1. Warned of our most deadly enemy, 1 Pet. 5:8.

2. We need a working knowledge of Satan to be on guard against him.

3. Man has long ago mythologized (“personification of evil in men’s minds”), caricatured, and fictionalized Satan out of their reality.

4. Bible says he is real and active (“god of this age,” 2 Cor. 4:4).

5. Numerous questions about Satan: Who is he? (Where did he come from? What kind of power does he have?) How does he tempt us? What can we do about him (beware of fables, 1 Tim. 1:3-4).

I. WHO IS SATAN?

-Names: Belial, Beelzebub, Adversary, Dragon, Enemy, Serpent, Deceiver, and Wicked One

A. Satan: Adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act).

-Adversary of men, Job 1:6; 1 Chron. 21:1; Zech. 3:1-2; 1 Pet. 5:8.

B. Devil: Accuser, Slanderer, John 8:44.

1. Accuses God to man (Gen. 3:4-5); Man to God (Job 1:8-11; 2:3-5).

2. Deceives the world, Rev. 12:9-10.

C. Not Lucifer of the Bible, Isa. 14:12. “(Latin for “light-bearer”), name for the planet Venus when it appears as the morning star; Vulgate translation of the Hebrew expression for “bright one.” (Encarta 97, Lucifer).

1. Context: Lucifer is King of Babylon, Isa. 14:3-4, 10-11, 13-15, 16-17.

2. Jerome (Latin Vulgate, 384 AD): “The identification of Isaiah’s Lucifer with the Devil began with Saint Jerome and other Fathers of the Church, who held that Jesus implied the identification when he said, ‘I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven’ (Luke 10:18). Consequently, in Patristic literature, Lucifer is used as a synonym for Satan.” (Ibid)

II. SATAN AND TEMPTATION (2 Cor. 2:11).

A. He Entices Us to Sin Using Our Strong Desires (lusts), James 1:13-14.

1. He presents sin as pleasurable (Heb. 11:25).

2. He presents sin as beneficial (Gen. 3:4-5)

3. He presents sin as a personal right (Gen. 3:5)

4. He presents sin as the right way (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

B. His Temptations Can Be Resisted, 1 Cor. 10:13; Eph. 4:27 (6:11-13).

1. By knowing and avoiding his schemes (2 Cor. 2:11; 11:3).

2. Look to Jesus (Matt. 4:10; 16:23, 1 Pet. 5:9).

III. WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT SATAN.

A. Know and Trust that Jesus has Already Landed a Death-Blow to Satan, Gen. 3:15; Heb. 2:14-15 (destroy his works, 1 John 3:8).

1. The cross and resurrection defeats Satan’s use of sin and death to destroy man.

2. Put our faith in Jesus, not yourself, 1 John 4:4.

B. Your Obedient, Steadfast Faith Crushes Satan, Rom. 16:19-20; 1 Pet. 5:9-10.

-Ways to resist Satan:

1. Be alert (1 Cor. 16:13; 1 Pet. 5:8).

2. Be armed (Eph. 6:10-13).

3. Self-control (James 1:14-15).

4. Use escape routes (1 Cor. 10:13).

5. Steadfast faith (1 Pet. 5:9).

6. Prayer (Matt. 26:41).

C. Be Assured that Satan is Under a Death Sentence, Rev. 20:10.

D. Overcome Satan, Rev. 12:11.

1. Blood of the Lamb.

2. Word of their testimony.

3. Self-denial.

Conclusion

1. Satan is our adversary and accuser; Jesus is our Savior and Defender.

2. “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

By: Joe R. Price

Posted June 7, 2022