Satan, sometimes called "the devil," "old serpent," "great dragon" or "Beelzebub" is God's enemy, and is seeking to gain the souls of mankind. God warns us ...

"Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary, the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour" ( 1Peter 5:8).

We know Satan is real, for God has prepared a place of "everlasting fire for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). Satan is the "Father of lies" (John 8:44). He gets people to sin and then runs and tells God about us - don't you dislike a tattle-tale? But through Jesus Christ and his shed blood, the faithful Christian is cleansed and forgiven.

"For the ACCUSER of our BRETHREN is cast down which accused them before our God day and night" (Revelations 12:10).

"And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Revelations 12:10-11).

 

Where did Satan come from? It would seem that Satan is a being created of God who "fell" when pride caused him to try and exalt himself above God (Isaiah 14:12-14) and was cast out of heaven.

"I beheld Satan as lightning, fallen from heaven" (Luke 10:18).

"There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon

(devil)..."

"Neither was their place found any more in heaven."

"He was cast out into the earth and his angels were cast out with him" (Revelation 12:7-9).

 

Hearers only - The devil (or Satan) doesn't want us to study or even hear the word of God, because "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). In the story of the parable of the sower, the word of God is called a seed and is sown in four types of soil in the human heart (or mind). See what happens when the word is sown in the hearts of people.

"Now the parable is this. The seed is the word of God."

"Those by the wayside are they that hear, then cometh the DEVIL and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved" (Luke 8:11-12).

 

The devil uses lots of "tricks" like getting us to talk at worship and miss word of God when it is being taught. We may even cause others to miss the word too. Sometimes the devil pulls our minds onto other things and we soon forget what we heard and no fruit is borne in our lives for God. A little resistance drives the devil away (James 4:7). "Resist the devil, and he will flee" from us.

"Roots" to stay w-i-t-h God - Some people hear God's word and obey for a while but have "no roots" in themselves and endure for a while but in time of trials or persecutions they fall away. We must live by God's word even if people make fun of us and bear it patiently if they do. Resist the temptation to "pay back" and each time we do our faith win g-r-o-w. Faith is sort of like a muscle, it has to be exercised to grow stronger, so be f-l-e-x-e-r-s.

"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke 8:13).

 

Our serving God will cost us something. David once said" I will not give to God that which cost me nothing" (I Chronicles 21:24). Remember how much it cost Jesus to obtain our forgiveness of sins and it will help us to be strong. We will not be able to do it alone of our own power; we need God's power. Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches. " We need to feed daffy on his word and stay close to other Christians. The Apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

"C-a-r-e-s of the world" - This person because of lack of faith lets the desire for riches or "things of this world" take his love away from God. We are not to care too much about this world which is only temporary but set our minds and hearts on "heavenly goals." When we leave this world and die we can't take anything or anybody with us to stand before God, except Jesus, if we know him as our Saviour. We can't blame anyone but ourselves if we forget God and fail to serve him and die lost.

How we avoid this waste? Worship regularly, pray everyday, study God's word and apply what you learn to your own life. Choose friends who want to go to heaven too. Stay away from places and things that tend to pull you away from serving God. Anything that "enslaves us" so we don't have time for God, is wrong. Flee from the "very appearance of evil" (I Thessalonians 5:22). "Flee also youthful lusts" (II Timothy 2:22) the Bible tells us, draw near to God and "he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded" (James 4:8).

"And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to Perfection" (Luke 8:14).

 

"Good ground" people - Those who receive the word of God on "good ground" have willing hearts and become "fruit bearers." Work the garden of your hearts every day. Pull the weeds (sin) out and plant good seed (God's word). Loosen the soil of your hearts with love and obey good impulses (not rebelling) and reject all sinful ideas. Be patient and trust God; the fruit will come and you will enjoy the growth and likeness to God that you win see in your life.

"But that on the good ground are they, which, in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, KEEP IT, and bring forth fruit with patience. "

"No man when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel or putteth it under a bed, but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter it may see the light" (Luke 8:15-16).

 

Satan, the "loser" - Nobody likes to lose. One battle we cannot afford to lose is the battle of life played here on earth right now, against sin. You and I are soldiers, Satan is the enemy. If we do not fight we will be "overcome." Whether we like it or not we must choose sides for Jesus said, "He that is not with me, is against me" (Matthew 12:30). Start making "right decisions" now. When Jesus was 12 he said, "I must be about my Father's business" (Luke 2:49).This battle with sin will last throughout our lives but with God's help we can start overcoming now.

"He that OVERCOMETH will inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be MY SON" (Revelation 21:7).

 

Kind of scary, isn't it? This is good fear, for it makes us respect God and his word and fear his wrath, which brings about repentance (obedience) in our lives. Choose your own path. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (knowledge we use) " (Psalms 111:10). Remember Christ is our champion, for through "death (of Christ) he destroyed him that had the power of death (the devil)" (Hebrews 2:14). Christians can overcome, we have God's promise he will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to bear, but with each temptation provide a way out (I Corinthians 10:13). The Christian must wear his armour at all times ...

Know the truth - and practice it (Ephesians 6:14). Then you can recognize the error (or darkness). As we "live the truth" we will be aware of God's presence helping us grow stronger.

Tell others about Christ - Then we will have a bigger army, there is strength in numbers (Ephesians 6:15). Teach the word by successfully living it. As others see our victories, they will want to "join forces" with us. Everyone loves to win.

Wear the shield of faith - Call on God, he is there and has promised to help us. You and God are bigger than any army Satan can raise (Ephesians 6:16).

Know God has saved you - As a Christian, don't doubt. God has promised not to "impute our trespasses to us," (II Corinthians 5:19) and will continue to give you daily victories over sin as he extends his grace daily, wearing the "helmet of salvation."

Know the word - "Faith cometh by hearing" the word of God. Knowing the word gives us a ready answer to combat Satan in time of temptation and enables us to see the "right path" (Ephesians 6:17).

Pray always - Very important. Just as a cannon without shells is useless, a life without prayer is powerless without God's help. Prayer brings God power vs win power (Ephesians 6:18).

Satan is not worth following, he is a loser. He lies, is a murderer, and coward; his end and all those who follow him is "eternal damnation." He tries to keep us in darkness (ignorant of God's word) which could bring us to the light. This darkness keeps us from seeing and enjoying the good things in life that God intended for us to have. If you are a Christian you are on God's side, the winning team for, God never loses.

BIBLE QUESTIONS Lesson 16

1. The devil is described as a "roaring _____________," walking about "seeking whom he may _______________ (I Peter 5:8).

2. The devil is called the "__________________ of the brethren" (Revelation 12:10).

3. Satan (devil) was witnessed by Jesus to have fallen from ________________ (Luke 10:18).

4. As God's word is sown in our hearts by hearing the word of God, the ___________ takes it out of our hearts so we won't believe it and be saved (Luke 8:12).

5. If we "________________ the devil" it will drive him away for a while and he will flee from us (James 4:7).

6. The Apostle Paul said "I can do ________ things through ________________ which strengtheneth me"

(Philippians 4:13).

7. In the parable of the sower, those on the "good ground" have ____________ and ______________ hearts (Luke 8:16).

8. Jesus said, "he that is not _______________ me is ______________ me" (Matthew 12:30).

9. "He that ______________will inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son" (Revelation 21:7).

10. We read about the "Christian armor" in Ephesians, chapter _____________.

NAME__________________________ LESSON RECEIVED____________________

ADDRESS_______________________ LESSON RETURNED____________________

________________________________ GRADED BY____________ GRADE________

I will promptly grade your answers and mail you the results.

Or, write for the free Bible course to be mailed to your home.
I will promptly grade them and mail you the other lessons.

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