· Ephesians 6:12- 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms
· When you hear who Satan is and what he wants, remember God is the opposite and what he wants for you is the opposite of what Satan wants.
· Satan is God’s enemy.
· 1 Thessalonians 2:18 - 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.
· Satan is the accuser.
· Satan is ruler of his own Kingdom of flies.
· Mark 3:22 - 22 And the teachers of the law
who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
· Satan is the Deceiver.
· Revelation 12:9 - 9 The great dragon was
hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray
· Satan is the tempter.
· Do you love God more than what tempts you?
· Matthew 4:1 - Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
· Satan is shrewd.
· Genesis 3:1 - Now the serpent was more crafty
than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
· Dallas Willard – “When Satan went after Eve, he did not hit her with a stick; he hit her with an idea.”
· Satan is a murderer.
· John 8:44 - 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
· If this is Satan’s character, why would you trust him?
· Satan is selfish and if selfishness rules our lives, we are living in his kingdom, not God’s.
· Satan is not all-powerful.
· Satan is not able to present in more than one place at a time.
· Satan is not all-knowing.
· First, submit and resist.
· James 4:7 - 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
· Second, go against the flow.
· Matthew 7:13-14 - 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that
leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But
small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
· Third, Ask for help.
· 2 Thessalonians 3:3 - 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
· Heavenly Father, Help me see Satan’s schemes. Give me strength to resist his temptations. Protect me from his evil. I believe the power of Jesus is all the power I need.
Group Discussion Questions
Starter Question: Do you know someone who doubts the
existence of Satan? Why do they doubt?
Go Deeper:
1. Satan means adversary. The word “Devil” means
“accuser.” In what ways does the Bible show Satan to be God’s adversary? In what ways does the Devil accuse us?
2. Satan is not parallel to God. He is not all-powerful,
not all-knowing, and not able to be present everywhere at once. How does this change your understanding of
Satan?
3. Read James 4:7.
4. In your opinion, what does it mean to submit to God? In what ways can we resist the Devil?
5. Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
6. In your opinion, what are ways God strengthens us and protects us against Satan?
7. Read Revelation 12: 7-12
8. Scholars differ over when this great battle occurs.
Whenever it occurs, what does it say to you that the Michael and other angels defeat Satan?
9. Revelation 12:12 speaks of Satan’s great wrath. In
your opinion, what does that mean?
10. Read Revelation 20:10.
11. How should we live, knowing Satan’s ultimate fate?
