“I
have done this so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are
not ignorant of his schemes.” -2 Corinthians 2:11
Satan is the great enemy of mankind,
especially God’s people. In fact "Satan" means "adversary."
The Bible refers to the devil by a number of names and descriptions. He is seen
as "the anointed cherub" (Ezek. 28:14), "the ruler of
demons" (Luke 11:15), "the ruler of this world" (John 16:11),
"the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4), and "the prince of the
power of the air" (Eph 2:2). He is identified as a great dragon, a roaring
lion, the vile one, the tempter, and the accuser. He is formidable, cunning,
and powerful. Paul writing to the Corinthian church realized that Satan was
working overtime in the church and emphasizes that we are to be vigilant and
alert to his subtlety. Satan’s advantage is based upon one being ignorant of
his devices or his methods. The devil’s devices by which he seeks to deceive
God’s children, defeat God’s church, destroy God’s work, and denigrate God’s
Word.
I. Distraction
The goal is simple get us to major
on the minors and to minimize the majors. Satan seeks to distract us by getting
us to focus our attention on the material instead of the spiritual, on methods
rather than the message, on men rather than God. (1 John 2:15-16, 2 Timothy
2:4; Colossians 3:2)
II. Discouragement
One of Satan’s most potent weapons
is trying to get you into a feeling of discouragement, so maybe you’ll give up.
Discouragement is a lack of hope
usually after a major victory. Many are confronted with it on Monday
after a break through on Sunday. The Devil wants you to believe that things are
worse than what they are and that you are the only one who cares. That is
exactly how Elijah felt the day after his victory on Mt Carmel. (Deuteronomy
1:28, Numbers 21:4-5; Galatians 6:9)
III. Disillusionment
Disillusionment is the state of
being disenchanted or disappointed by unfulfilled expectations. (Proverbs 13:12,
Philippians 1:21)
·
“If you
expect perfection from people, your whole life is a series of disappointments,
grumblings, and complaints. If, on the contrary, you pitch your expectations
low, taking folks as the inefficient creatures, which they are, you are
frequently surprised by having them perform better than you had hoped.” -
Bruce Fairfield Barton (1886-1967).
IV. Discontentment
Perhaps this should be labeled as
unholy discontentment, unholy discontentment is being angry with God for the
hand you have been dealt. (Numbers 21:5-6, 1 Corinthians 10:10, Philippians
2:14, James 5:8-9, Colossians 3:17)
·
“A godly
man wonders at his cross that it is not more, a wicked man wonders why his
cross is so much.” – Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
V. Discord (division)
A very simple but effective tool
used by the enemy to destroy churches. Usually this takes the form of pettiness
and is accompanied with unholy discontentment. (1 Corinthians 1:10-11, Romans
12:3-5, Philippians 1:27)
·
The
problem with the church today is not corruption. It is not institutionalism.
No, the problem is far more serious than something like the minister running
away with the organist. The problem is pettiness. Blatant pettiness.
– Mike Yaconelli in The Wittenburg Door
VI. Disassociation
The devil loves when believers do
not fellowship: he loves it when we distance ourselves from each other.
(Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 12:18-21, 1 Corinthians 12:25, 1 Peter 5:8)
“Don’t
give the Devil an opportunity.” –Ephesians 4:27
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