Knowing The Enemy

Text: 1st Peter 5:8, 9 (NASB)

Introduction: Whether or not you understand it, agree with it, know it, or realize it we, as Christians, are in the middle of a heated war. However, sadly, many Christians today are wasting time fighting the wrong enemy. Maybe, you may ask the question, who is our enemy? Satan, a.k.a. the Devil is our enemy. He is not going to give up and neither should we.

I. Know who your enemy is.

A. Ephesians 6:12 (AMP)

B. The enemy is Satan not man.

1. These that are not “flesh and blood” are demons over which Satan has control.

2. They are not mere fantasies—they are very real.

3. We face a powerful army whose goal is to defeat Christ’s church.

4. When we believe in Christ, these demons become our enemies, and they try every device to turn us away from him and back to sin.

5. Although we are assured of victory, we must engage in the struggle until Christ returns, because Satan is constantly battling against all who are on the Lord’s side.

6. We need supernatural power to defeat Satan, and God has provided this by giving us the baptism in the Holy Ghost within us and his armor surrounding us.

II. Know your enemies purpose.

A. John 10:10 (NLT)

B. The purpose of the thief is to steal, kill and destroy.

1. In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life.

2. The life He gives right now is abundantly richer and fuller.

3. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately.

4. Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane because of his overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance.

III. Know your enemies strategies.

A. 2nd Corinthians 11:14 (AMP)

B. Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing to be attractive, good, and moral.

1. Many unsuspecting people follow smooth-talking, Bible-quoting leaders into cults that alienate them from their families and lead them into the practice of immorality and deceit.

2. Do not be fooled by external appearances.

3. Our impressions alone are not an accurate indicator of who is or isn’t a true follower of Christ;

4. Satan begins his evil work slowly.

5. He never shows you the end of where he is leading you.

6. He will attempt to trick you, deceive you, and lie to you.

IV. Know your enemies weakness.

A. James 4:7 (AMP)

B. It is a weakness of the enemy that when we live in submission to God and resist the devil then he must flee from us.

1. Satan will only flee when we resist him when our lives are in complete submission to the Will and purposes of God.

C. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NASB)

D. Satan is not all knowing-only God is.

1. He is not everywhere the entire time-only God is.

2. He is not all powerful-only God is.

3. Therefore, it is a great weakness of the enemy that the enemy can easily be defeated when we use the whole Armor of God.

V. Know how to fight the enemy.

A. Matthew 4:1-11 (NKJV)

1. Read the Book

2. Claim the promises of God.

3. Use the Word of God as your weapon.

VI. Know the end of your enemy.

A. Revelation 19:20 (AMP)

B. Revelation 20:10-15 (AMP)

1. Satan will fail.

2. His end has already been decreed.

3. Do not let this end be your end.

VII. Conclusion:

A. Satan is not going to give up.

B. He will not be satisfied until you are destroyed or at best are at the point where you are no good for God.

C. This is his mission.

D. Nevertheless, we have a way out and we are the ones who are the Victors.

E. Keep that in mind.