Understanding Satan’s Nature and Tactics
January 19, 2025
Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-15; 2 Corinthians 11:14; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:11-12
Introduction: The Cosmic Struggle
Good morning, CrossWay Christian Fellowship. Today we explore one of the most essential aspects of our spiritual warfare series: the nature and tactics of Satan. Understanding our enemy equips us to resist his schemes and walk in the authority Christ has given us.
Let’s begin with Ezekiel 28:12-19, a passage that reveals the origins of Satan’s rebellion: “Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. 16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you. 18 By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought fire out from your midst; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.” (Ezekiel 28:12–19)
Satan’s nature and his system of control—the cosmos—are rooted in pride, deception, and rebellion. Isaiah 14:12-15 provides further insight into his heart:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)
The result of his rebellion is a counterfeit kingdom designed to oppose God, blind unbelievers, and infiltrate the lives of believers. Tonight, we will explore how Satan operates and how we can stand firm against his tactics.
I. Satan’s Nature: The Fallen Cherub
Satan was created as a cherub, a guardian of God’s throne, adorned with beauty and wisdom. His pride led to his downfall as he sought to exalt himself above God.
1. The Five “I Wills” (Isaiah 14:12-15)
• “I will ascend to heaven”—Satan desired to usurp God’s throne.
• “I will set my throne on high”—He sought to establish a counterfeit kingdom.
• “I will sit on the mount of assembly”—Satan craved worship that belongs to God.
• “I will ascend above the clouds”—He aimed to surpass all creation.
• “I will make myself like the Most High”—The ultimate declaration of rebellion.
2. The Counterfeiter
• Satan operates as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), presenting himself as good while leading people into darkness. His counterfeit system mimics God’s kingdom but opposes it at every level. Satan’s approach is not outright destruction but deception. He creates a counterfeits that mirrors God’s design, making it appealing. For every aspect of God’s kingdom, Satan crafts an opposite or distorted version, designed to lure people away from the truth.
For instance, God calls His people to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). In contrast, Satan craves worship for himself and offers idolatrous alternatives that appeal to human pride and desire. This is evident in the world’s obsession with fame, wealth, and power—modern idols that substitute God with materialism and self-exaltation. As Brandon teaches, Satan doesn’t come with an overtly evil appearance but as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), presenting his counterfeit system as something beneficial, progressive, or morally acceptable. This is why many embrace ideas and practices that seem good but ultimately lead to spiritual ruin.
The counterfeit nature of Satan’s program appears in several ways: God establishes nations with borders, cultures, and languages (Acts 17:26), but Satan promotes globalism and the erasure of boundaries, mimicking unity while undermining God’s design. God defines morality through His Word, while Satan promotes moral relativism, convincing people to create their own “truth.” In Brandon’s words, “When God says, ‘This is good,’ Satan says, ‘No, this is good.’” The inversion is deliberate: transgenderism and the redefinition of gender roles defy God’s creation order, just as Babylonian practices in Scripture rebelled against His commands.
In the church, this counterfeit approach manifests through apostasy. Satan introduces heresies and false gospels that outwardly resemble Christian teachings but are devoid of the Holy Spirit’s power. The prosperity gospel and “Kingdom Now” theology are prime examples. They claim to represent God while twisting Scripture for personal gain.
Ultimately, Satan’s counterfeit system is a comprehensive rebellion against God’s authority. It seeks to redefine worship, morality, and truth in ways that oppose God’s kingdom, leaving those who follow it blind to the path of righteousness. As believers, our task is to discern these counterfeits through the light of Scripture and remain steadfast in the truth of God’s Word.
II. Satan’s Tactics: Deception and Division
1. Deception
Satan twists truth to appeal to human desires. In Genesis 3:1-5, he questioned God’s Word, leading Eve to doubt and disobey. Satan distorts God’s word, planting doubt in Eve’s mind with the question, “Did God actually say?” He then lured her with the promise of being “like God,” appealing to her desire for knowledge and autonomy. This pattern continues as Satan disguises sin as something beneficial or harmless, manipulating human desires for power, pleasure, and acceptance to achieve his ends.
Today, Satan twists truth by making temporal issues into moral issues that appeal to human pride and self-interest. For instance, personal freedom is often elevated above God’s moral boundaries, like replacing absolute truth with “my truth.” What happens is people start using destructive behaviors under the guise of “love” or “tolerance”
2. Division
Jesus said in John 8:44: “He is a liar and the father of lies.” His lies disrupt unity and isolate believers from God and each other. Satan’s strategy to sow division is one of his most effective and destructive tactics, as division undermines the unity that God desires for His creation. Within families, Satan works to fracture relationships by exploiting pride, selfishness, and unresolved conflict. Marriages, meant to reflect Christ’s relationship with the Church, are targeted with lies about independence, infidelity, and unmet expectations. In parenting, he uses generational gaps, cultural shifts, and personal failures to drive wedges between parents and children. The ultimate goal is to disrupt the family unit, which is foundational to God’s plan for raising godly generations and fostering societal stability.
In churches, Satan sows discord by magnifying minor disagreements, encouraging gossip, and exploiting theological differences. He often twists personal preferences or traditions into points of contention, causing believers to lose sight of their shared mission. As Brandon’s teachings highlight, Satan’s counterfeit kingdom thrives when churches become more focused on internal conflicts than on advancing the Gospel. This is why the Apostle Paul urged unity in the body, warning against factions and calling believers to be of one mind in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10).
On a larger scale, Satan’s divisive tactics are evident in nations and societies. By stirring up strife through political ideologies, cultural wars, and economic disparity, he pits groups against each other, perpetuating hatred and fear. As Jesus said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Satan knows that division weakens the ability of individuals, families, churches, and nations to fulfill their God-given purpose. Recognizing and resisting his schemes through prayer, humility, and the truth of God’s Word are essential for restoring unity and defeating this tactic of the enemy.
III. Infiltrating the Believer’s Life
1. Points of Entry
Sos how does Satan infiltrate the believer’s life? Satan exploits unconfessed sin, ignorance of Scripture, and worldly distractions Ephesians 6:12: “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the cosmic powers over this present darkness.”
2. Four Levels of Demonic Work
• Influence: Subtle thoughts and perceptions aligned with worldly values.
• Suppression: Spiritual stagnation caused by unrepented sin or ignorance.
• Oppression: External attacks manifesting as anxiety, despair, or spiritual torment.
• Possession: Total control of an unbeliever by demonic forces.
IV. The Believer’s Armor: Standing Firm in Christ
Authority Through Christ
Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (Luke 10:19)
Believers are equipped to resist Satan and command demonic forces in Jesus’ name. The way we have been equipped is through the Spiritual Armor (Ephesians 6:10-18)
• The belt of truth combats lies.
• The breastplate of righteousness guards the heart.
• The shield of faith extinguishes Satan’s fiery darts of doubt and fear.
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)
Conclusion: Victory in Christ
Satan’s nature is rooted in pride and deception, and his tactics are designed to infiltrate and disrupt. But as believers, we are not powerless. Through Christ, we have victory over Satan’s schemes. As we commission our mission team today, let us remember that we are advancing God’s kingdom in a fallen world. Stand firm, church, clothed in the armor of God, and walk boldly in the authority of Christ.
