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Satan’s Snares Series
Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Aug 20, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: Satan uses certain snares to lead us into sin. Let’s look at these devices and find them in the Bible.
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1. Lies and Murders
Jesus said, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not remain in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44
2. Steals, Kills, and Destroys
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10
3. Deceives
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3
4. Tempts
Paul wrote to couples, "Do not deprive one another sexually — except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control." 1 Corinthians 7:5 (HCSB)
5. Quotes, Questions, Denies, Contradicts and Twists God’s Word
— While Tempting Eve
Genesis 3:2-5
Serpent (to the woman): Has God indeed said, "You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Questions God's Word)
The serpent: You will not surely die. (Denies God’s Word) For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. (Twists and Contradicts God's Word)
(Notice: Satan put a little truth in the lie. Yes, we would know good from evil. But it wasn’t the good thing Satan made Eve think.)
— While Tempting Jesus
If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you: And in their hands, they will bear you up, lest at any time you dash your foot against a stone. Luke 4:9-11 (also Matthew 4:5-6)
6. Takes
In the parable of the sower, found in Mark 4:3-8 and explained in Mark 4:14-20, Jesus explained to the twelve disciples, “The sower sows the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan comes immediately, and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.” Mark 4:14-15 (... lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12)
7. Transforms
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; because Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also are transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
8. Devices and Snares of the Devil
a. Unforgiveness
When writing to the Corinthians about the need to forgive others, Paul wrote, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11
b. Pride
Paul wrote: Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are outside the faith; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3:6-7
c. Without Righteousness or Love
Little children, let no man deceive you:
Whoever does what is right is righteous, even as He is righteous.
Whoever commits sin is of the devil; because the devil sinned from the beginning.
The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.
Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin, because His seed remains in him.
He can’t sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are revealed, and the children of the devil:
Whoever doesn’t do what is right is not of God, neither is he he who doesn’t love not his brother.
Because this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
Not like Cain, who was of that wicked one, and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's were righteous. 1 John 3:7-12