Understanding Satan’s Nature And Tactics Series

Understanding Satan’s Nature and Tactics

January 19, 2025

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-15; 2 Corinthians 11:14; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:11-12

Introduction: The Cosmic Struggle

Good morning, CrossWay Christian Fellowship. Today we explore one of the most essential aspects of our spiritual warfare series: the nature and tactics of Satan. Understanding our enemy equips us to resist his schemes and walk in the authority Christ has given us.

Let’s begin with Ezekiel 28:12-19, a passage that reveals the origins of Satan’s rebellion: “Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. 16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you. 18 By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries; so I brought fire out from your midst; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.” (Ezekiel 28:12–19)

Satan’s nature and his system of control—the cosmos—are rooted in pride, deception, and rebellion. Isaiah 14:12-15 provides further insight into his heart:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)

The result of his rebellion is a counterfeit kingdom designed to oppose God, blind unbelievers, and infiltrate the lives of believers. Tonight, we will explore how Satan operates and how we can stand firm against his tactics.

I. Satan’s Nature: The Fallen Cherub

Satan was created as a cherub, a guardian of God’s throne, adorned with beauty and wisdom. His pride led to his downfall as he sought to exalt himself above God.

1. The Five “I Wills” (Isaiah 14:12-15)

• “I will ascend to heaven”—Satan desired to usurp God’s throne.

• “I will set my throne on high”—He sought to establish a counterfeit kingdom.

• “I will sit on the mount of assembly”—Satan craved worship that belongs to God.

• “I will ascend above the clouds”—He aimed to surpass all creation.

• “I will make myself like the Most High”—The ultimate declaration of rebellion.

2. The Counterfeiter

• Satan operates as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), presenting himself as good while leading people into darkness. His counterfeit system mimics God’s kingdom but opposes it at every level. Satan’s approach is not outright destruction but deception. He creates a counterfeits that mirrors God’s design, making it appealing. For every aspect of God’s kingdom, Satan crafts an opposite or distorted version, designed to lure people away from the truth.

For instance, God calls His people to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). In contrast, Satan craves worship for himself and offers idolatrous alternatives that appeal to human pride and desire. This is evident in the world’s obsession with fame, wealth, and power—modern idols that substitute God with materialism and self-exaltation. As Brandon teaches, Satan doesn’t come with an overtly evil appearance but as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), presenting his counterfeit system as something beneficial, progressive, or morally acceptable. This is why many embrace ideas and practices that seem good but ultimately lead to spiritual ruin.