The 5 Devices Of The Devil

THE 5 DEVICES OF THE DEVIL

2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:10-18

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: DIVORCE BECAUSE OF A 2-STORY HOUSE

1. Vicky asked for a divorce and appeared before the judge. The judge asked, "So tell me in your own words, Mrs. Franks, why are you seeking a divorce?"

2. "I'm seeking a divorce, your Honor, because I feel I can no longer live in a 2-story house," replied Vicky.

3. The judge frowned and said, "I've never heard such a ridiculous reason given before in this court. Do you intend to waste this Court's time? What do you mean ‘a 2-story house?’”

4. "Let me explain," she said. "In my house, one story I regularly hear is from him is, 'I can’t work because nobody will hire me' and his other story is, 'My mother’s food always tastes better than this.'"

5. I think the Lord also gets tired of two stories He hears; “I can’t work because I’m not good enough” and “I’m going to get committed, just not now.” Today I plan on challenging those 2 concepts.

B. TEXT

1. “…lest Satan should get an advantage over us. For we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Cor. 2:11, KJ21.

2. 10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” Eph. 6:10-18.

C. THESIS

1. There was a boy named Jack Handey, who, when he went to school, was confronted by bully who would demand his lunch money. This happened day after day. Since he was smaller, he’d give it to him.

2. Well, one day he got enough. He decided to fight back. So he started taking karate lessons. But the karate instructor wanted $5 a lesson. That’s a lot of money. After consideration, he figured it was cheaper to pay the bully, than to learn to fight.” [Fuzzy Memories, Jack Handey]

3. I believe there’s a lot of Christians in a similar position: they think it’s easier to compromise – to pay the bully – than learn how to defeat him. That’s because they don’t know that “Greater is He that’s in you than he that’s in the world!”

4. We must know our enemy. Paul says, “We are not ignorant of his devices.” What are his devices/methods? We’re going to look at 5 of them. DEVICE # 1 IS…

I. LABELS EVIL THINGS WITH PLEASANT NAMES

A. CHANGING THE PRICETAGS

1. There was a break-in at an electronics store in the dead of night. The police responded to the alarm, but they didn’t find anything missing. Nothing was stolen. They assumed there had been no crime so they went home. But a crime had happened.

2. In the morning when shoppers came in, they found H.D. flat-screen TVs priced at a $1.50, while Computer cables were selling for $1,500. Batteries were priced at $600, but laptop computers were going for $4.00. [Rich Nathan]

3. What the thieves had done during the break-in was to simply switch the price tags on everything. Satan plays that kind of trick on us! The world has switched the price tags!

4. They’ve been duped into thinking that God’s gifts, which are very valuable (His peace, & the joy of salvation), are unattainable or worthless; so they walk right by them. And they’re told that things like money, popularity, & pleasure are really valuable. So they pursue the worthless & reject the valuable!

B. RENAMING EVIL

1. The world has renamed what God calls “sin.” It’s given sin more acceptable/pleasant names.

2. “Pride” is now “self-esteem.” Materialism is the “good life.” Disobedience is actually a “shortcoming;” and sins have become mere “mistakes.”