What Would Satan Say? Series

Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:12-14

What Would Satan Say?

Introduction

We began our Christmas series last week with somewhat of a humorous, yet serious look at what Santa, or Saint Nick might say if he were among us today. Remember that we said that the modern day Santa Claus has its origins in the legend of this God fearing man who was so willing to give of himself for the good of others. If he could see what Christmas has become, we found that he might have some things to say to us. I believe those things were very practical in nature. We need to think about our focus, our faith, our giving and our love during this holiday season and keep it all in perspective.

Today, I want to turn from that and consider what Satan might say if he were among us. This has been most difficult to determine for two reasons. For one thing, Satan’s presence is among us today. Though it is doubtful he is here personally, we can be sure that there are demonic spirits in our very presence during this service and every worship service we undertake as a church body. So, it is not as though he could be present, there is a very real presence of evil among us today. The second reason it has been difficult is that I really wonder what Satan might say. What would this fallen angel who is alive and well say to you and me this morning?

I think the answer to that question can be found by considering his handiwork in the books of Genesis and Matthew. Let’s look first at the account in Genesis 3:1-5.

"Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

Remember that Jesus called Satan a liar and the father of lies. He was a murderer from the beginning. One of Satan’s chief instruments in his arsenal against the people of God is doubt. That’s what we find in his conversation with Eve. He went to work immediately creating doubt about what God had said and instructed. "Did God really say that? Did He tell you the whole truth? Are you sure?" Now let’s look at Matthew 4, and I want you to notice in particular verses 3, 6 and 9. Notice the one little word they all have in common – the word if. You see, even when Satan was speaking with his Creator, he tried to plant those seeds of doubt in the Lord’s mind to detract Him from His mission.

Doubt – it is probably one of the most effective instruments used by Satan in our lives as we seek to follow the Lord, and it is one of the most widely used instruments used at this time of year by those who would try to get you to examine your beliefs about the birth of the Savior. I want to focus on two things I believe Satan would say to us today. You may think of more, and if you do, I would invite you to share them with me so I might work on them some other time, but for now, if he were among us today, what would Satan say?

Do you really believe that Jesus was virgin born?

Matthew 1:18-25 says,

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus."