Knowing Your Adversary Crawford D. Coon I PETER 5:6-11 Lest Satan take advantage of us (II Corinthians 2:11), I want to expose him Biblically to you as your adversary. Any other thing motivating us to study about Satan would come from the wrong motivation. So many devices, objects, and writings in our day exalt the devil in the minds of men. I do not want to use your time and this space for any other reason than to expose our enemy. Much is heard about exorcism, devil worship, and Satanism that only tend to exalt the enemy of our soul. Beware of such antics and maneuvers lest Satan snare you in this; another snare of his. Christians need to be aware and on guard against the invading forces of the enemy. This study is designed with this view in mind. ORIGIN OF SATAN God's Word opens to us the origin of our adversary (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19; John 8:44; Luke 10:17-20; I John 3:8). I am of the opinion that Lucifer, the son of the morning, was a beautiful angel, created of God in the beginning to love and worship Him (Colossians 1:15-18). Pride caused him to rebel against God. He then deceived other angels into following him in his rebellion, bringing about their downfall. Cast out of heaven into the earth, Satan has become the enemy of every facet of the work of God. As a fallen creature he worked through the serpent to beguile Eve in the garden of Eden (II Corinthians 11:3). Study the five "I Will's" of Satan (Isaiah 14:12-14). 1. I will ascend into heaven. 2. I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. 3. I will set upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the North. 4. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. 5. I will be like the most high. Lucifer's pride is evident in these statements, and as a result of such pride he was cast down. SATAN'S ACCESS INTO HEAVEN Although Satan is cast out of his place and position in heaven, he still has accessibility to God's presence (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Revelation 12:3-9). As a result of his access to God he takes on the role of an accuser of the brethren. During the tribulation (Revelation 12:3-9), Satan will be cast out of heaven into the earth, ending his accessibility into heaven. Satan continues his deception, turning his worst fury upon man because he knows his time is short. Satan accuses us to God by insinuating our service to God has as its motivation, personal gain and well being. God may allow Satan to afflict us as He did Job, to a limited degree to prove him wrong, as well as develop us into a better Christian. One day Satan will be bruised under our feet (Romans 16:20), the accuser of the brethren cast down, and we will obtain eternal victory over our adversary. WHAT SATAN IS Satan fills numerous roles in his effort to destroy anyone and everyone he can. Knowing what he is and how he operates forewarns and forearms us. 1. A DESTROYER - David knew how he had been kept from the paths of this destroyer - by the Word of God (Psalms 17:4). God's Word provides the same safety to you and me; we do not have to be destroyed by the destroyer (I Corinthians 10:10; Mark 9:22). 2. A TEMPTER - Satan is portrayed as a tempter in that he tempts us to do evil (Matthew 4:3; I Thessalonians 3:5). God doesn't tempt man to do evil, this comes about when we are drawn away of our own lust (James 1:12-15). When God tempted Abraham (Genesis 22:1), this meant that God tried or tested him, not enticed him to sin (Hebrews 11:17). Temptation has a two-fold meaning in the Bible: (1) It is an enticement to evil or sin. (2) It is a test or trial God sends, or allows to come, for developmental purposes. 3. A LIAR- Jesus declared that there is no truth in the devil (John 8:44); he is a liar and the father of lies (Genesis 3:1-5). Beware, Satan will lie to you and about you. 4. A HINDERER- Paul desired to return to Thessalonica to visit the saints but Satan hindered him from doing so (I Thessalonians 2:18). Hindrances of every conceivable nature come against us through our adversary. 5. A MURDERER - Jesus says the devil was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). He was not referring to the murder of Abel by Cain but to the spiritual and physical death Satan plunged man into by causing him to sin (Hebrews 2:14-15; Romans 5:12-21). Jesus Christ came to destroy him that had the power of death. Christ now has the keys of death and hell, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (II Timothy 1:10). Thank God, we have a life giver that has saved us from Satan's murderous tactics. 6. THE GOD OF THIS WORLD - Satan is also called the prince of this world by Jesus Christ (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Paul refers to him as the prince and power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). He is the prince of Persia and Grecia referred to in Danie110:1-21. Sin and submission of men to Satan clearly establish Paul's assertion of Satan being the God of this world (II Corinthians 4:4). 7. A DECEIVER - Genesis through Revelation unfolds the drama of Satan's deceptive acts (I Timothy 2:14; Revelation 12:9; 20:3-10). Our present age witnesses every conceivable form of the devil's deceitfulness. 8. AN ACCUSER - Satan accused Job to God as serving him for gain and physical benefits (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7). Through his accessibility into heaven he still accuses the brethren to God, and no doubt to any one else who will listen to his accusations (Revelation 12:3-9). SYNONYMOUS TERMS FOR OUR ADVERSARY These terms are vastly different in some measures, yet they present a synonymous picture of the one and same adversary. Study the meaning of each one in context with the scripture. Satan is a great imitator, never forget that! 1. LUCIFER (Isaiah 14:12-14). 2. DRAGON (Revelation 12:3, 17). 3. SATAN (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9). 4. SERPENT (II Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9). 5. ADVERSARY (I Peter 5:8; I Timothy 5:14). 6. DEVIL (Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 6:11; Revelation 12:9). THINGS SATAN IS LIKE Satan poses as these, while in reality he is none of them. He only takes on their characteristics in order to accomplish some act of deception and destruction. Identifying his many suits will make him easily recognizable. 1. A LION - He roars against the saint seeking to devour him (I Peter 5:8). 2. A MINISTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - Any person posing as a preacher of righteousnes who doesn't preach the full truth is an instrument of the adversary to lead men astray (II Corinthians 11:14-15). Paul warns us to not acept any other gospel from him, someone else, or an angel (Galatians 1:8-9). 3. AN ANGEL OF LIGHT - Satan has his angels (Matthew 25:41), and can transform himself as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 1:8-9). 4. FOWLS OF THE AIR - Like a fowl the devil comes and catches away the seed (word of God), that is sown in a person's life (Matthew 13:4-19). 5. A WOLF - Hiding his true identity in sheep's clothing, he invades the flock of God causing havoc and trouble (John 10:12; Matthew 10:16). THINGS SATAN CAN CAUSE Physical impairment is an obvious thing when brought on by devil possession. Devil possession means that a person is under complete domination, possession, and control of the devil; mentally, spiritually, and physically. Devil possession is not discernible to the human eye, this comes by Satan exposing himself, or through discernment. Some impairments have been pawned off as devil possession when it wasn't, some impairments have been diagnosed as something else when it was the work of Satan. May I firmly and unequivocally declare that physical and mental handicaps do not indicate devil possession. Christians can have mental retardation or be handicapped; this doesn't affect them being saved. Saints are not, and will not be devil possessed as long as they walk with God. Saying someone has a devil is unfair unless this is known for a fact. A believer could become possessed or controlled by the devil, only if he continues in sin and turns his life over to Satan. This will not happen as long as one makes sincere, Bible based efforts to walk with God. Keep the above instructions in mind while observing from the Bible what can and did happen in some lives that were controlled by Satan. Never fear Satan (Hebrews 2:15), for "...Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." (I John 4:4). Satan caused these things in the lives of those he controlled before Christ came and set them free: 1. Dumbness (Matthew 9:32-35). 4. Lunatic (Matthew 4:24; 17:14-21). 2. Deafness (Mark 9:14-25). 5. Blindness (Matthew 12:22). 3. Mental derangement (Mark 5:1-19). 6. Vexation (Matthew 15:21-31). I have known many with the above problems who were not under Satan's domination. These do point out what he can do with a life and body under his control. So much sorrow, suffering, and pain is inflicted upon humanity by the enemy. GIVING PLACE TO THE DEVIL Paul warns Christians not to give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). PLACE in this verse comes from the Greek word TOPOS meaning any portion of space marked off from the surrounding territory. It is used in the sense of opportunity, power, or occasion for acting. When a Christian does something sinful we know this isn't inspired of God. What happens is, the saint through temptation, stress, anger, or some weakness acts in an unbecoming fashion. His intentions are good but he fails temporarily; he has given place to the devil. We are warned against doing this, but reality tells us that it does happen. What does the Christian do that has given place to the devil? He is to repent to the extent he has failed; if he wrongs another person, or persons, he should seek their forgiveness. If the failure is known ony to you and God, go to Him only (I John 2:1-2). Then ask God to strengthen you in your area of weakness so the event won't reoccur. Regardless of how often you fail, never quit. OUR WEAPONS AGAINST SATAN Defeating Satan should be the desire of every saint of God. Only by spiritual means and methods can we overcome the enemy of our soul. God has given us every weapon needed to succeed in our conquest. Satan has doctrines (I Timothy 4:1), fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16), wiles (Ephesians 6:11), devices (II Corinthians 2:11), and you name it, Satan tries it against us. God has given us the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), along with other spiritual weapons to defeat our enemy (II Corinthians10:3-5). His Word is a powerful deterrent to Satan's advances (Matthew 4:1-11). Fasting coupled with prayer can defeat and cast out the most ferocious of demonic powers (Matthew 17:21). Submission to God is the first prerequisite needing to be established in our lives, then we are in a spiritual position to resist the devil, causing him to flee from us (James 4:7; I Peter 5:9). Examine your weapons closely, acquaint yourself with them, learn to use them effectively, and with victory we shall bruise Satan under our feet shortly (Romans 16:20). SATAN'S DESTINY Satan's doom has been sealed for a long time, he knows that (Matthew 8:28-29), and now we know it from God's Word. God made a promise in Genesis 3:15 that will ultimately be fulfilled in Revelation 20:1-10. From this day forward this scenario will unfold for Satan. Satan will continue his same type work with evil men waxing worse and worse even in our time. During the tribulation he will be cast out of heaven, losing his access to God's presence to accuse the brethren (Revelation 12:3-9). After the battle of Armageddon he will be bound in the bottomless pit for one thousand (1,000), years (Revelation 20:1-2). When this time has expired he will be loosed for a short season. He will return to the earth and go forth to deceive the nations and gather them against the saints. At this juncture, fire comes down from heaven and devours the armies. Satan is then cast into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet already are (Revelation 20:1-10). His eternal destiny is now reached. Satan and his followers have a terrible fate awaiting them. Hell wasn't prepared for mankind, but for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Man will have to go to the Lake of Fire for refusing to obey God's Word. This doesn't have to be your fate! God has given us everything we need to defeat our foe - arise and defeat Satan in Jesus' name. The above article, “Knowing Your Adversary” was written by Crawford D. Coon. The article was excerpted from Coon’s book, Christian Development Course. The material is copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study or research purposes.