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.
B) The morals of our world are at an all-time low.
1) Violence
2) Illicit sex (TV, commercials, internet etc…)
3) Alcohol and drug abuse
4) Dishonesty and corruption in government.
C) Millions have relaxed their moral standards (lost soberness & vigilance)
1) They are spiritually slack.
2) Christ will restore those who recognize and repent of their sins
D) Christians must condone evil and Sin and overcome it with “GOOD”,
1) “But overcome evil with good.” (Rm. 12:21)
2) Recognizing and repenting of our sins, assisting the less fortunate and sharing Christ with the lost will help us avoid Satan’s snares.
V) Don’t Stop
A) Matthew 10:22 - And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
B) Some have made a good start but have come to a bad stop in the Christian life.
1) Satan attracts with things pleasing to our fleshly senses
2) Distracts our Spiritual senses
3) And attacks through his subtleness.
C) No problem is too difficult to God
1) No trial is too severe
2) No burden is too heavy for the Christian
i) Because “God’s help and grace are sufficient”. (II Corinthians 12:9)
D) God is more than a match for Satan
1) We are “more than conquerors through Him”. (Rm. 8:37)
E) The name of Jesus will drive Satan away.
1) But it would be pointless to order Satan’s departure if we leave the door wide open for him to flourish.
2) The Bible tells us to not “give place” for the Devil (Eph. 4:27).
i) That is, provide no area of your life where Satan can be comfortable or establish strongholds.
F) The enemy can always be found working in the lives of those who entertain un-godly ways
1) Sin
2) Disobedience to God’s word
3) Rebellion
4) Or a self-willed nature.
5) Unforgiveness toward others
G) Any area of your life which is not submitted to God is
1) Open territory to the Devil
2) And he has the right to bring his sinful influence to those areas.
VI) Rejoice Christian!
A) God is in you
B) YOU have been given power over the Devil!
1) By submitting to God
2) Exercising your authority in the name of Jesus
3) You are more powerful than the enemy.
4) 1 John 4:4 - He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
C) Roman 8:37-39 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
