“Satan in 3-D!”
Scripture
Reading:
John 8:37-47
Intro:
Although
Satan has a full complement of weaponry to unleash against us
(Ephesians
6:11 – wiles;
16 –
fiery darts of the wicked one;
1 John 2:16
– lust of the flesh, eyes, and the pride of life); he is most effective
against us when he works in 3-D!
I don’t
mean in three dimensions!
I am
actually speaking of three of his most despicable tactics:
Delay
--- Deny ---
Defame
Remember
his power is great; however, we have to choose to do his bidding willingly –
John 8:44!
To this, we had better be prepared for these tactics!
Delay –
Acts 24:22-27
– Felix procrastinates!
“Justice
delayed is justice denied”; putting of repentance and obedience to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, is victory for the Adversary!
Delay
through distraction -
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
– 5:1-2
– Fascination with the Last Days!
This is a
strangely morbid practice! Videos, “Left Behind” book series; etc… Good
entertainment (I suppose); but if we are to focus on obsessing about “What’s
going to happen then”; we are liable to be distracted from what really
matters now!
Philippians 2:12
– We must live for the now!
Deny –
2 Corinthians 11:1-4
– He is the father of liars; the progenitor of false doctrines!
2 Peter 2:1-3;
12-17;
how –
1 Timothy 4:1-2
To deny the
power and simplicity of God’s word, is to deny God (in any fashion and for
any purpose!).
1 Timothy 1:3
– teach no other doctrine; avoid
6:3-5!
Galatians 1:8-9;
or do we seek to please men or God?
Defame –
Ultimately,
the defamation of the Adversary is aimed at God; but he will target anything
that stands in his way (doctrine, evangelists, elders, whole congregations,
or even individual saints).
His success
is found in hypocrisy of that which is supposed to be holy!
·
Constant
battle between saints and the world!
1 John 2:15-17
·
Constant
battle between saints and pride!
Romans 12:3
·
Constant
battle between saints and self-righteousness!
Romans 10:1-4
·
Constant
battle between saints and apathy!
Philippians 3:13-14
I hope you
can see now how effective Satan is in 3-D!
1 Corinthians 15:58