TEXT: GENESIS 2:18-25
INTRODUCTION: CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THE DEVIL IS ONE OF THE GREATEST PREACHERS IN THE WORLD. But what he preaches are lies. See 2 Thessalonians 2:11.
I. LIE #1 – THAT GOD’S WORD IS NOT TRUE – Genesis 3:1
A. The devil preaches that what God says about life is not true.
B. The devil preaches that what God says about darkness is false.
C. The devil preaches that what God says about hell is not to be believed.
II. LIE #2 – THAT INDIVIDUALS WILL NOT DIE IF THEY SIN.
Genesis 3:4
A. The devil preaches that individuals may go ahead and sin.
B. The devil preaches the opposite of what God says. Romans 6:23
C. The devil preaches that there is no eternal death. Ezekiel 18:20; James
1:14-15
D. Many people believe the message of the devil.
III. LIE #3 – THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN SAVE THEMSELVES.
Genesis 3:5
"as gods". John 3:5-7
B. Satan told Eve all she needed to do to become righteous and make
herself as God was to eat of the forbidden fruit.
does Scripture say?
1. Psalm 51:5
2. Psalm 14:1-4
3. Isaiah 53:6
4. Isaiah 64:6
IV. LIE #4 – THAT THERE IS NO ETERNAL CONDEMNATION.
A. Romans 3:23 teaches "all have sinned."
B. If we stay in the lost sinners group we will be judged and condemned for our sins.
C. Look at 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10.
D. Also note Revelation 20:11-15.
"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." (II Corinthians 2:11)
Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to dealing with the devil. In fact, the more knowledge we have of his tactics, the more we will have the insight to gain the victory over him through the power of the Word of God. The Scripture gives a clear picture of the devices Satan has used to gain an advantage – weapons he still uses today.
(1) DOUBT: "Yea, hath God said…?" (Genesis 3:1). God’s word is our most effective tool against Satan. He would have us distrust it.
(2) DENIAL: "Ye shall not surely die" (Genesis 3:4). Satan’s lie has always been that there is no penalty for sin.
(3) PROVOCATION: "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel" (I Chronicles 21:1). He goaded David until, in his pride, he numbered his army, thereby trusting in human forces rather than in God.
(4) ACCUSATION: "Doth Job fear God for nought?" (Job 1:9). Satan is called "the accuser of our brethren… which accused them before our God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). The true believer need not fear, for "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I John 2:1). Christ ever lives to plead His blood for us.
(5) RESISTANCE: "And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him" (Zechariah 3:1). The servants of the Lord have always been resisted by Satan. The Bible is very clear as to how to deal with the devil. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom resist steadfast in the faith" (I Peter 5:8,9).
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11).