SATAN - DESTROYER OF FAITH
TEXT: "The theif cometh not, but for to steal, to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
SUBTEXT: "Fight the good fight of faith..." (1 Tim. 6:12).
Let us examine Satan’s subtle tactics in bringing defeat in our lives.
I. First He Will Steal The Word From Our Hearts:
"And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts." (Mark 4:3-4, 14-15).
The seed of God’s Word is the basis for faith (Rom. 10:17). Satan knows this and desires to stop it. (Matt. 17:20; Luke 17:6).
How does he manage to do this? If we read the rest of Mark 4 we will see that he:
We allow him to give us a stony heart by persecution. This is designed to get us off the Word (vv. 16-17).
He gives some of us a thorny heart. We will receive the word, but then allow other things to choke this word (v. 18-19).
We need to allow our hearts to become good ground in order for the word to have effect in our lives (Mark 4:20; 26-32).
II. Stealing The Word Will Enable Him To Kill Our Joy
"...and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart." (Jer. 15:16).
Joy comes from the word of God. Mark 4:16 tells us that people receive the word with GLADNESS. Yet there was no root in them.
The Bible tells us that we should count it all JOY when we fall into divers temptations (James 1:2-4; Neh. 8:10).
Satan knows that when he can steal the Word from your heart, he can kill your joy. This is the source of your strength (Phil. 1:25).
Jesus told us that He spoke His word to us ao that HIS joy might remain in and that our joy might be full (John 15:11).
III. Destroy Our Faith.
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy FAITH fail not..." (Luke 22:31-32).
Faith is the sustainer of the Christian life. If Satan can destroy your faith, then he has destroyed YOU (1 Tim. 6:12).
The Word of God is the basis for faith. Faith in turn produces joy. We are not walking in joy, then we are not walking in faith.
Satan can destroy faith through DECEPTION (Gen. 3:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:14). He can do it through DISCOURAGEMENT (Neh. 8:10). He can do it through doubt (Mark 14:22-31).
Studying God’s Word and learn Satan’s devices (Ps. 119:98; 2 Cor. 2:11)
