Introduction: Today we want to speak about the devil. The devil was created by God, he was a beautiful being who got prideful and said “I will be like the most high”. Because of it, God kicked him out of heaven and he is now the “prince of this world”. The Bible says that “we are not ignorant of his devices”. The works of the devil are many and we have to know what he does and how to oppose such things so we can be victorious against the devil.
The Devil can:
Tempt Us– Matthew 4:1-4 In this case the temptation was food, Banana Pudding, money, pretty girl. The devil temps with the desires of the flesh, something that appeals to the body. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Solution- In vs 4 we see that Jesus Christ responds to the devil with scripture. When satan shows up to tempt us, we must get in the Word of God and find a Biblical answer. Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”.
Fill our Hearts– Acts 5:1-3 in this case, the devil filled the heart to lie to the Holy Ghost. These two wanted to appear more spiritual that they really were and they were lying to others and to the Holy Ghost. The devil was using believers to hinder the work of the Lord.
Solution- Guard your heart- Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life”. Be honest and don’t try to impress others by making them think you are more spiritual than you really are. Luke 6:45 “for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh”.
Destroy Your Flesh– I Corinthians 5:5 cut him off from fellowship so he can go to the world which is controlled by the devil Colossians 1:13 and will go through hardships and physical damnation, that will allow the person to repent and get right with God.
Solution: Walk in the Spirit. Repent, get right with God and with the church and get back in fellowship with both.
Ensnare Us– II Timothy 2:25-26 to ensnare is to catch in a snare, to entrap, to entangle- with a snare that has a slip knot, an instrument for catching animals. Things that will ensnare you and take you captive at his will: pornography, drugs, money, your words, your wicked works, and riches.
Solution- be careful what you watch, what you put in your body, how much your work, what you say, the things you do, and the riches you accumulate.
Devour Us– I Peter 5:8 the devil wants to devour you- to destroy and consume violently.
Solution- Be sober, serious about your walk with God, recognize that he wants to break apart your family, your marriage, your church, your life. Be Vigilant- be alert, keep your eyes opened and attentive to avoid danger. Resist stedfast- to resist is to stand against, to withstand, to oppose -James 4:7 “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. Don’t give in, resist the devil and he will flee.
Accuse Us– Revelation 12:10 satan will accuse the brethren just like he accused Job. Solution- Don’t believe the devil’s lies. Believe the Word of God which assures us of God’s forgiveness. The Blood of Christ which cleans us up I John 1:9. All our sins have been forgiven by God in vs 11. In I John 2:1 we have Jesus Christ our lawyer “an advocate with the father”.
Blind Your Mind– II Corinthians 4:3-4 All the previous points were for the believers. This point is for the lost person here this morning. The devil wants to hinder the gospel of Jesus Christ and he doesn’t want people to get saved so he will blind the mind of lost people to the truth of God.
Solution: the light of the Word of God will bring you to the knowledge of salvation. Allow us to show you the scriptures of salvation so you can trust and believe on Him.
Conclusion: These are the works of the devil and the solutions to those things. Be aware and know what to do to protect yourself against the devils devices.
Anchor Baptist Church 