“Satan’s Devices and God’s Devotion”
(2 Cor 2:11) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
I have enclosed the text of the 1st Chapter of Job at the end of this message. You will want to be sure to read this text to get a better understanding this message.
I rejoice that you know the Lord, but do you know the enemy of your soul. In our text in 2 Cor. 2:11, we are told to not be ignorant of his divices. Those who are will most certainly be taken advantage of.
1. The Devil has access to the throne room of God
When the Sons of God (angels) present themselves to God), Satan shows up among them. Although Satan is not allowed to dwell in Heaven, he apparently has visitation rights.
If Satan is able to stand before the presence of God, he certainly is not afraid to stand before our presence as well. Frightening to think that Satan might be amongst those who attend our Church each week!
2. The Devil is neither Deity or Humanity… he is a fallen angelic spirit.
(Jude 1:6) And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Most people error in either making Satan God or human. He is not deity. He is not humanity. He is a spirit being, a powerful fallen angel. He is not omnipotent, omniscience, or omnipresent. And yet he is not confined to the physical handicaps of the created human race.
3. The Devil has us in his sights.
When God asked the Devil is he considered Job, Satan most certainly had. He knew everthing about him. He targets those who faithfully follow the Lord. He may have you in his sights today!
4. The Devil is the accuser of the brethren.
When God reminded Satan of Job’s faithfulness, Satan began to accuse Job. Satan is the accuser of the brethren. Today, Satan can longer accuse the believer because of the blood atonement. Instead, many times, God’s own people take over Satan’s work. It is called "gossip." Read about "Job’s three friends:" in the upcoming chapters.
5. The Devil is limited by the authority of God.
Strange as it may seem, Satan is nothing more than a tool in the hands of God. God had placed a hedge about Job. Satan could only do that which God allowed him to do.
6. God will only allow Satan to do that which will ultimately accomplish his own glory.
If I know that I am "right with God," I know that whatever comes up against me is of the Devil, and that God will use it for his glory. That means that I am perfect position to receive a miracle!
7. If God allows… Satan has temporary power over the temporary kings of this world.
Both the Sabeans and the Chaldeans came against Job and his family. Satan had control of government to move against God’s people.
8. If God allows… Satan has power over the forces of nature.
Both a whirl wind and a fire destroyed Job’s family and wealth. Satan had control over the forces of nature.
9. If God allows… Satan has power over sickness and disease.
(Job 2:7) So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
When God removed the hedge, Satan struck Job’s body with disease.
10. Satan has great influence on the minds of those who are not fully submitted to the mind of God.
(Job 4:1,2) Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
Satan is always looking for a means of attack. The counsel that these three friends gave, was not the counsel of God.
Conclusion: (1 John 4:4 KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Conclusion:1. Get busy for the Lord.
Conclusion:2. Beware of Satan’s devices.
Conclusion:3. Build a hedge.
Conclusion:4. Pray for wisdom.
Conclusion:5. Let the peace of God rule your heart.
(Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Job Chapter 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose
up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
