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Lesson 5 - How Does Satan Accomplish His Will in the Earth?
Theme: Recognizing the schemes and workings of Satan and his demonic kingdom.
Text: 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
(GWT) Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour.
Introduction: When Lucifer led 1/3 of the angelic hosts of heaven in rebellion against God and was cast from the third heaven. In Scripture we first see Satan in the Garden of Eden as a deceiving serpent who twists the truth in order to deceive Eve into eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. From this time forward we see entire planet plunged into sin and defiance of God and His word. Because of the satanic sin nature that enters mankind people begin to manifest the same behavior as their spiritual father the devil. Thus far we have been examining the fall of Satan and his rebellion against God. Now we will turn our attention to his fallen demonic kingdom and his schemes and workings as the god of this world system and his influence upon nations, those in authority and anyone who will yield to his influence.
I. The god of This World.A. Satan is referred to as the god of this world. As such he is directly responsible for all of the misery and suffering that has been inflicted upon the human race since the Garden of Eden.
2 Corinthians 4:2-4 (NKJV) But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
1 John 5:18-19 (NKJV) We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
B. Satan uses nature to destroy lives.
1. In the book of Job (the oldest book of the Bible) we see that the devil uses lightening to destroy Job’s crops and herds. (Job 1) After this he brings a tornado upon Job’s children to kill them. All of this is an attempt to turn Job against God and destroy his faith.
C. Satan uses temptation.Luke 4:1-13 (NKJV) Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. 3And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” 5Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Himall the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan!For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”9Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ 11and, ‘Intheirhands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” 12And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”13Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.
James 1:14-15 (NKJV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
1. Satan uses temptation to snare people.2 Timothy 2:25-26 (NKJV) in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
D. He is he prince of the power of the airEphesians 2:1-2 (Amp) And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins,2in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God].
E. Satan is a deceiver, who can make evil appear beautiful.2 Corinthians 11:14 (Amp)…Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
F. The prince of this worldJohn 12:31 (NKJV) Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. John 14:30 (NKJV)I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. John 16:11 (NKJV)…because the ruler of this world is judged.
G. He is the Prince of the Power of the AirEphesians 2:1-2 (Amp) And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of your transgressions and sins,2in which you once walked. You were following the ways of this world [influenced by this present age], in accordance with the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit who is now at work in the disobedient [the unbelieving, who fight against the purposes of God].
H. Principalities & PowersEphesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (The Voice) Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. 11Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes. 12We’re not waging war against enemies of flesh and blood alone. No, this fight is against tyrants, against authorities, against supernatural powers and demon princes that slither in the darkness of this world, and against wicked spiritual armies that lurk about in heavenly places.13And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground.
I. Satan and Demon Spirits Control Nations & Entire RegionsDaniel 10:1-14 & 20-21(NLT) In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia,Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship. 2When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks.3All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed. 4On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River,5I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist.6His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people. 7Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide.8So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.9Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.
10Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees.11And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. 12Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.13But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.14Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”…20He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greecewill come.21Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.
J. Demons Can Oppress & Possess People & Animals.Mark 5:1-12 (NKJV) Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”9Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.