Explore the devil's deception and destruction, and God's deliverance, using the example of how Jesus was misunderstood and maligned during His time on Earth.
Good morning, Church family! Today we're going to delve into some heavy stuff. We're going to be talking about the Devil's deception, his destruction, but fear not, we'll also be discussing God's beautiful deliverance.
This reminds me of a quote by A.W. Tozer, "The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still."
Let's take a look at our Scripture passage for today. It’s from John 10:20 and reads,
"Many of them said, 'He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?'"
This passage shows us that even during His time on Earth, our Lord Jesus was misunderstood and maligned, a clear work of the devil's deception.
But before we dive in, let's bow our heads and pray.
Dear Lord, as we explore Your Word today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your truth. Protect us from deception and guide us towards Your deliverance. We pray that our understanding deepens and our faith strengthens through today's sermon. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.
Let’s get started!
The Devil's deception is a complex and multifaceted concept that requires careful examination. It's not a topic to be taken lightly, as it has far-reaching implications for our spiritual lives.
The devil: As we know from Scripture, he is the father of lies. His primary weapon is deception, and he uses it with devastating effectiveness. He is a master manipulator, skilled in the art of distortion and misrepresentation. He takes the truth and twists it, making it seem appealing and desirable, but ultimately leading to destruction.
The Garden of Eden: The devil deceived Eve by questioning God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He suggested that God was withholding something good from her, and in doing so, he planted a seed of doubt in her mind. This is a classic example of the devil's deception. He takes God's truth and distorts it, making us question God's goodness and His intentions for us.
About ourselves: He makes us believe that we are not good enough, that we are unworthy of God's love and grace. He makes us feel guilty and ashamed, leading us to hide from God instead of running to Him for forgiveness and healing. This is a dangerous deception because it keeps us from experiencing the fullness of God's love and grace.
About the world around us: He makes us believe that the things of this world can satisfy our deepest longings and desires. He makes us chase after wealth, success, and pleasure, only to find that they leave us empty and unsatisfied. This is a cruel deception because it keeps us from finding true satisfaction in God, who alone can satisfy our deepest desires.
The most dangerous deception: It’s his attempt to make us believe that he does not exist. He wants us to think that he is just a myth, a symbol of evil, but not a real, personal being. This is a deadly deception because it makes us underestimate the power and influence of the devil in our lives. If we don't believe in the existence of the devil, we won't be on guard against his attacks, and we won't seek God's protection and deliverance from him.
A serious threat to our spiritual lives: It can lead us away from God's truth, make us doubt God's love, keep us from finding satisfaction in God, and make us underestimate the power of the devil. But the good news is that God has given us His Word, the Bible, which is the truth that can set us free from the devil's deception. By studying and meditating on God's Word, we can recognize the devil's lies and stand firm in God's truth.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when you were deceived by the devil, and how you overcame it through God's Word.
The Devil's destruction is a concept that is as old as humanity itself ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
