Learning From Satan

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Learning From Satan

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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Is there anything useful we can learn from the devil? I once heard a story about a woman who was always optimistic and able to find something good to say about anyone.  One day, someone asked her, “Can you find anything good to say about the devil?”  She pause for a moment and then said, “Well, he is a good worker.”

Satan is certainly unworthy of compliments considering who he is, his impact on the world the way it is, and the destiny of all who follow him.  But having said that, are there some qualities we find in Satan that are worthy of noticing?  In this lesson, I want to address a few of these.

  1. Satan is real
    1. Many today deny that he is real. While they acknowledge evil in the world, they do not attribute it to Satan.  But, for the Bible to be true, Satan must be real.  As real as God Himself.
    2. Satan is described in terms of a real spiritual being, much in the same way as God. But, CLEARLY, he is NOT God, nor deity.
    3. He interacted with man in accounts that require his reality. Genesis 3:14-16 as the serpent was cursed in the garden for tempting Eve; He accused Job before God – being mentioned by name 14 times in the first 2 chapters of Job; He tempted Jesus in Mattew 4:1-11 where Jesus identified him by name in vs. 10.  Jude 9 tells us that Michael the Arcangel contended with him concerning the body of Moses.
    4. His eternal fate also points to his reality – Matthew 25:41 (described as the devil). His fate is also addressed in Revelation as judgment is pronounced against him.  Revelation 20:10 tells us he will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
    5. He is evil and describes as, “the adversary” (1 Peter 5:8), a murderer and liar (John 8:44), a roaring lion seeking to devour you (1 Peter 5:8), a schemer (Ephesians 6:11), etc.
    6. We are told to beware of him – 1 Peter 5:8 where the pronoun “he” is used; 2 Corinthians 2:11 we are to be aware of His devices; 2 Corinthians 11:14 – he transforms himself into an angel of light.
    7. All of these passages point to his reality. We are foolish if we dismiss him and his works.   BUT in this lesson, I want us to notice some qualities we see in him that we can learn from.  And at the conclusion of this lesson, I will provide some final thoughts about these things.
  2. Some qualities we observe in him
    1. He is determined
      1. Ephesians 6:10-11 encourages us to be strong in the lord and put on the whole armor of God that we may withstand the “wiles of the devil”. The word “wiles” means schemes or ways of doing something.  The actual Greek word is that from which we get our word, “method”.  When we think of scheming, we think of someone up to no good and working stealthily.  The point is, Satan is continually working to do everything he can to defeat you.
      2. 2 Corinthians 2:11 warns us to not be ignorant of his devices. He is
      3. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 tells us, that as Paul and his entourage attempted to come to Thessalonica, Satan hindered them.
    2. He is continually seeking
      1. 1 Peter 5:8 says that Satan walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
      2. Job 1:7 we find Satan “going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” What is he doing?  He is looking for souls!!!!
    3. He is efficient
      1. Satan uses whatever resources he has at his disposal. He is very effective in winning the masses as we know.  1 John 5:19 tells us that the world lies under his sway (the sway of the wicked one).
      2. 2 Corinthians 11:3 tells us that in his craftiness he deceived Eve. He will try to corrupt our minds as well.  And if we let him, he will be very effective.
      3. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 tells us he transforms himself into an angel of light (as do his ministers).
      4. Luke 8:11-12 – the seed that falls on the wayside (hardened heart), Satan IMMEDIATELY snatches it away lest it take root.
    4. He believes in Jesus
      1. Why did he tempt Jesus? He knew about Him.  Satan did not know everything, but he knew that if he could defeat Jesus, we would be without ANY hope.
      2. Matthew 8:28-29 reminds us how the demons (likely the angels of Satan) reacted to Jesus. James 2:19
      3. It is the fact that he knows Jesus that keeps him working to defeat Him.
    5. He understands torments
      1. Again Matthew 8:28-29 – they plead with Jesus not to torment them “before the time”. James 2:19, not only do they believe, but they tremble.
      2. At the voice of Jesus, demons came out of the possessed trembling. Matthew 25:41 reminds us that hell was originally created for the devil and his angels.
      3. 2 Peter 2:4 describes the angels who sinned as being kept in chains of darkness and reserved for judgment.
      4. We may not know much about demons, but we KNOW they know God and what awaits them.
  3. How will we use these qualities?
    1. You might think by presenting these qualities, I am praising Satan. I do not praise the devil in any way! Everything he does is with evil intent.
    2. We know by observation that there are many who have incredible talent, but they use it with sinister motives. There are evil men who are very talented and resourceful who will exploit anything.  Some are the vilest of criminals.  Have you thought of a cybercriminal and said, “If only he would use his abilities for good”?   Everything Satan does becomes corrupt and evil.  Every good quality that could be attributed to him, he uses in the most wicked ways.  That is why we need to avoid him at all costs.
    3. BUT any quality we might find in him that is of benefit, let us resolve that we will use it to overcome and defeat him.
    4. Are we determined? We need to be.
      1. 1 Corinthians 2:2 – Paul noted, I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
      2. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 describes how we are to run our race to win! There needs to be a determination (a resolve) that nothing will separate us from God.
      3. Titus 2:14 speaks of Christ giving Himself for us to create a people zealous for good works.
      4. Romans 8:35, Paul asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”  In this certainly God has a part, but so do we.  Are we determined to NOT let Satan win over us?
    5. Are we continually seeking? – We need to be.
      1. Matthew 6:33 – we are to seek first the kingdom of God;
      2. We need to be seeking for whatever will put is un a right relationship with God – Matthew 7:7-8;
      3. We are to seek the law of the Lord (cf. Ezra 7:10). James 1:25 speaks of looking into the perfect law of liberty and continuing therein will be blessed.  NOTE: Recall that was with God’s word that Jesus answered Satan – Matthew 4:1-11.
      4. We ought to be seeking the lost – Jude 22-23 speaks of saving some with compassion and others with fear, snatching them out of the fire. 2 Corinthians 5:11 notes that noting the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.  We are seeking to take away from Satan those who he is looking for.
    6. With efficiency we need to resist Him
      1. Hebrew 12:1-2 – let us lay aside every weight and sin that ensnares us.
      2. IF we are serious about defeating Satan, we will dispose of ANYTHING that stands in our way of serving God. Recall Matthew 5:29-30 – if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.  While an exaggeration, the point is we take WHATVER measures are necessary to keep ourselves on the right path.
      3. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 – we must not entangle ourselves in the affairs of this life so that we serve Him who enlisted us.
      4. Recall the text of Ephesians 6:10-18 – we put on the armor of God to equip us for battle against Him.
    7. Do we believe in Jesus?
      1. First, this belief is crucial to pleasing God and out salvation – John 8:24, Hebrews 11:6, etc. It is this belief that leads to our forgiveness of sins – Romans 10:9-10
      2. Second, we must TRUST Him. Recall passages like 1 Corinthians 10:13 – no temptation has overtaken you except that which is common to man… God will make the way of escape.
      3. 1 John 4:4 – He who is in your is greater than he who is in the world. The world is under the sway of Satan, but it WILL end.  He will be defeated!
    8. Do we understand the concept of torments?
      1. The Bible is clear there is a day of judgment coming. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 speaks of how with flaming fire, take vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the gospel.  NOTE: Consider the phrase “not know God” in relation to Matthew 7:21-23.
      2. Satan and his angels will be there. But so will all who have rejected God.  Matthew 25:41, 46; Revelation 20:14-15 speaks of the judgment and how anyone not found written in the book of life would be cast into that (same) lake of fire.
      3. Understanding our destiny if we reject God ought to be motivation to learn from Satan that we do NOT want to follow Him.
      4. The Satanic follower today is a fool! He thinks worshipping the devil will work well for him.  But he WILL regret that one day.   And we do not want to be there with him.

We can learn from Satan, just like we can learn from anyone or anything else.  The question is, Where is that knowledge leading you?  Is it leading you away from Him?  If so, how can we help you?  Think about it!