Dealing With The Devil

Ephesians 6:10-20  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  (11)  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (12)  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (13)  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  (14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  (15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  (16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  (17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  (18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;  (19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,  (20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

INTRODUCTION:           God warns us not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices.

(2 Corinthians 2:11)  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Satan will attack a growing Christian, even a church that is trying to grow.

Satan’s devices are:

   1.               He attacks by ERROR

(Ephesians 6:14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

              2.           He attacks by INPURITY

(Ephesians 6:14)  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

              3.           He attacks by ANGER

(Ephesians 6:15)  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

              4.           He attacks by DOUBT.

(Ephesians 6:16)  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

              5.           He attacks by ACCUSATION.

(Ephesians 6:17)  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 6.           He attacks by you neglecting your PRAYERS.

(Ephesians 6:18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

i.                When Nehemiah went to rebuild the walls,

a.             Satan attacked him.

ii.               We should expect the same attacks

a.             When we see people come to Jesus Christ for salvation.

 I.            SATAN ATTACKS WITH DOUBT.

(Nehemiah 4:1-3)  But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. ²  And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? ³ Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

            A.           What Can Feeble Jews Do?

1.               What can faith do?

(John 15:7)  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

                                                                       a.               Ask

b.              Done

          i.            With faith

                       

            B.         Will They Fortify Themselves?

                                     1.           Not Necessary

(Exodus 14:14)  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

a.               Fight for you

b.               Hold your peace

            C.           Will They Sacrifice?

(Psalms 51:16-17)  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. ¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

1.               Sacrifices of God are:

a.               A broken spirit

b.               A contrite heart

            D.           Regardless, A Little Fox Will Tear It Down.

II.           SATAN ATTACKS WITH DISCOURAGEMENT

(Nehemiah 4:10)  And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

            A.           Much To Do

1.               That church has a reputation

2.               Those folks are to old

a.           Just plain tired.

3.               How can you do that?

III.         SATAN ATTACKS BY DIVISION

(Nehemiah 5:1)  And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

            A.           He Set One Against The Other.

1.               We have seen that in this church.

(Luke 11:17)  But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

a.               Divided against self

b.               Will fall

IV.         SATAN ATTACKS BY DIVERSION

(Nehemiah 6:2)  That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

            A.           Let Us Meet Somewhere Else.

1.               Not in God’s house.

2.               Might not be able to lie there.

V.           SATAN ATTACKS BY DECEPTION

(Nehemiah 6:6)  Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

            A.           Sends Accusations

1.               Tells of rebellious hearts

2.               It builds on lies.

              B.           There Are Four Things Additional That We Need To Be Aware Of That The           

                             Devil Does:

1.             He always SHOWS up

(Job 1:5-7)  And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. ⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. ⁷ And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

2.             He NEVER gives up

i.                Listen to the TV preachers, Copeland, Hinn

ii.               That is the devil talking,

              a.           24/7 spewing out heresy.

3.      He WON’T shut up

(Revelation 12:10)  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

4.      He will SETTLE up

(Revelation 20:14-15)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

(Revelation 20:10)  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

CONCLUSION: We must all understand, we are under attack by the devil.  Satan on some days has us just where he wants us.  It is those days we finally come back th Jesus, where we put the devil where we were.  Just remember you didn’t do it , Jesus did it for you because you asked for the help.