Avoiding Satan

I) Introduction:

A) 1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober(watch), be vigilant(stay awake); because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

B) Every Christian has an enemy.

1) Although unseen by the natural eye

2) This adversary is not imaginary or a mythological character.

3) Satan, the Devil, is a real spirit being, with

i) intelligence,

ii) noticeable characteristics,

iii) and whose never-ending goal and desire is

(a) “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”: (John 10:10a)

C) Around the clock the enemy is on the prowl

1) Seeking to cause mayhem and destruction to

i) All believers

ii) And the work of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

2) With military-like strategy and ruthless aggression,

3) The devil aggressively searches for weakness in us

i) our faith

ii) and spiritual life

4) he hopes to devour us with

i) deception

ii) Temptation

iii) Or oppression.

5) He is the picture and source of all that is evil

i) He is the author of every wicked work.

D) Regardless of whether you realize it or not Satan has targeted you as a victim.

1) He knows your name and address,

2) Your strengths and weaknesses.

3) Somewhere in the shadows, he and his forces lurk

i) Waiting

ii) Planning for the moment they will strike

iii) A moment when you can be caught off-guard

4) He desperately hopes that you will, as many Christians have

i) Remain ignorant of his reality

ii) So that you’ll blame his assaults on

(a) somebody

(b) Or something else

E) His method of operation is always “undercover.”

1) Faintly, he manipulates

i) Hindering circumstances

ii) and inspires evil thoughts or temptations,

iii) Disguising his activities behind the covering of people or things.

2) He will always seek to divert attention, and blame for his actions upon others.

3) But make no mistake, he (Satan) is the real enemy,

i) not your husband

ii) wife

iii) employer

iv) government

v) church

vi) Pastor

vii) Or Christian brethren!

viii) Satan is the real enemy

ix) Ephesians 6:12 - 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

F) Too many Christians have lost vigilance or “gone to sleep,” opening the way for Satan to work.

G) How do we remain “VIGILANT”?

II) Don’t Stray

A) Psalms 119:67 - Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

B) Christians sometime neglect their prayer life

1) They fail to study God’s Word as they should.

2) When they do this they begin to stray.

C) Some lack the courage to say no to non-Christian friends.

1) They yield to the “old life” and become victims of Satan’s snares.

2) Romans 7:18 - For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

i) Paul explains the battle that rages continually in even the most spiritually mature people.

ii) He states that he does what he doesn’t want to do

iii) And, in fact, does the evil he detests.

D) We must guard our devotional life diligently, drawing near to God daily.

1) James 4:7-8 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

E) We must take our stand boldly for God, staying away from Satan’s territory.

1) The only way to actually resist Satan is to submit yourself fully to God.

2) This was what Jesus was referring to when He said,

3) “the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (John 14:30).

III) Don’t Strut

A) Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

B) Some Christians lack humility.

1) They desire the praise and honor of people, rather than the approval of God.

2) John 12:43 - For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

C) Jesus, our example, was humble.

1) He declared that he could do nothing by Himself

2) He depended on the Father.

3) He pleased His Father.

D) We must be humble too.

E) We avoid Satan’s snares by doing those things that are pleasing to God and by giving Him first place in our lives.

1) James 4:10 - Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

IV) Don’t Stoop

A) Romans 12:21 - Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.