James and The Tongue

Two weeks ago, my pastor - Matt Guerino - wrapped up our study on James and spent some time talking about controlling the tongue and how hurtful our words can be to others.  It all too often happens that my mind immediately goes down another path.  In this case, I started thinking about withholding praise which is a similar, but significantly different issue with the tongue. As he talked, I realized that I had become significantly self-absorbed over the last few months.  Work has been incredibly busy and with two young girls in school and dance classes, it has been busy at home as well.  As a result, it occurred to me that there is one particular person at work from whom I have withheld praise that was due to him.  After Sunday, I made sure that I communicated to him how much I appreciated his work, and made sure to include specifics.  Lesson learned, I prepared to move on.

The interesting thing about God is that he doesn't include me in the heavenly conference calls about when I'm done learning something.  Every once in awhile, I'd like to connect in and hear what they have in store for me, and maybe even give some input on what I'd like to learn next.  For now, I just have to wait until the fun happens to realize what they have in store for me.

This weekend, we were in Seattle to visit family and for Kari-Ann to attend a ministry conference, but on Saturday night, I was able to attend the 40th birthday party of a friend I've known for almost 15 years.  After the amazing food and yummy cake, his wife asked us all to tell where we met Rick and what he means to us.  There were others there who had known him longer than I, and several who had met him in the last few years, but the comments had common threads: 

• Those who knew him during his single years loved his shiny red sports car.
• Even as an introvert, he opened his house up to a significant number of people.  He was a significant reason that there was a community of believers in our single adults group, and his willingness to open up his house to others continues to this day.  His authenticity, openness, and incredible home theatre system drew people together.
• Rick had a profound impact on our lives.  I'm sure we could have gone on for hours, and it was obvious that his love of God and his love of others had significant ripple effects on those around him.  Although I didn't mention it at the party, he had influenced who I was during a time when I was just learning to be comfortable in my own skin.  He was a friend who demonstrated maturity and integrity.  And when my oldest brother died, he was one of the few people I turned to for support. 

For me, the best part of the night was watching his friends give praise where it was due.  We had the opportunity to express our gratitude for his friendship and everyone took advantage of it.  More than one of us choked up as we told stories that were sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, and always full of appreciation.  During the party, I realized during the comments that I don't think I'd ever shared with Rick before how much I truly appreciated his friendship.

So, since God obviously isn't through with teaching me about exhorting others, I've decided to put a list together of those people who have had an impact on my life.  The list is long, so I estimate that it will take several months to work through.  I'll start with my wife and daughters, the rest of my family, and move on to others like several of my pastors (Matt, Glenn, and Bill), co-workers, teachers (Dr. Stoops, Jess Cooper, and Dr. Kowalski), and a multitude of friends (Andrew and Shalee, Joel, Orrin, Jesse, Brian, Bryon, and more than I can possible list here.)  While I work my way through this list, my exhortation to you is to let those around you know not only that you appreciate them, but why.

Winter Wonderland

Before it started snowing today, we'd already measured 9 inches of snow at our house.  The freezing rain added another quarter inch of ice to the top of the snow.  It is now snowing again and has added another inch of snow on top of the ice.  Most of the time, you have to travel, plan, or wait patiently for the perfect picture.  We lucked out since these were outside of our house.  In addition to just enjoying the beauty of winter snow, we've also been having a lot of fun playing outside.  As you can see, the girls have had a blast even though we've been stuck at home.

Our back yard gate

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A Frozen Rose

Fallen Rose (This rose snagged my sweatshirt as I walked past.  It landed on the ice with three petals chipping off.)

  

Ice on a Fence

Driveway Sledding

 

Moonlight Sledding (Adults Only)

Book Notes: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

I recently finished reading The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.  (Does six weeks ago count as recent?) I'd heard of the book before reading it, and mentally classified it as a book that could be used for evangelism.  I'd since forgotten about it until it came up in a conversation with Andrew - one of my good friends.  Sometime after Easter, he offered to lend me his copy of the book.  I have to thank him for lending it to me since it was one of the best books I've read in recent memory.  I was honestly surprised in how much my faith was strengthened in reading the book.  I've been a believer in Jesus for as long as I can remember.  I can remember sitting in the kitchen with my dad when I was in first grade as he explained what communion was and then took it with me.  I've been reading the Bible and learning about God for over 30 years and I found that reading Mr. Strobel's book was not only easy to read, but I found that my faith was strengthened. 

I'd recommend it to any believer no matter how long they've believed in Jesus.  You'll find your faith strengthened and be awed by how God has protected His word through the generations.  I'd highly recommend it for anyone struggling in their faith or for someone who is wondering what this Christianity thing is all about.  Rather than try capture all of the contents of the book here, I want to post Strobel's "So What?" questions that he came up with on the day he chose to believe in Jesus. I found them powerful and hope you will to:

• If Jesus is the Son of God, his teachings are more than just good ideas from a wise teacher; they are divine insights on which I can confidently build my life.
• If Jesus sets the standard for morality, I can now have an unwavering foundation for my choices and decisions, rather than basing them on the ever-shifting sands of expediency and self-centeredness.
• If Jesus did rise from the dead, he's still alive today and available for me to encounter on a personal basis.
• If Jesus conquered death, he can open the door of eternal life for me, too.
• If Jesus has divine power, he has the supernatural ability to guide me and help me and transform me as I follow him.
• If Jesus personally knows the pain of loss and suffering, he can comfort and encourage me in the midst of the turbulence that he himself warned is inevitable in a world corrupted by sin.
• If Jesus loves me as he says, he has my best interests at heart.  That means I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by committing myself to him and his purposes.
• If Jesus is who he claims to be (and remember, no leader of any other major religion has even pretended to be God), as my Creator he rightfully deserves my allegiance, obedience, and worship.

The questions are important, but the answers are backed by evidence.  Evidence that you'll find in The Case for Christ and in the resources Mr. Strobel refers you to.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've been thinking a lot about Thanksgiving over the past several months.  Usually, it sneaks up on me, but over the past few months, I've been constantly reminded of how much I have been blessed.  I could write for days about my amazing wife, my wonderful family, my really cool friends, and even some pretty outstanding co-workers, but most of all, I'd have to write about how God has worked in our lives to provide us with blessings and opportunities to bless others. 

It hasn't come without difficulties.  Although we've been able to help others in need, our hearts have been broken by the pain and sadness in so many around us.  We've seen divorce, custody battles, chronic illness, kids with cancer, job loss, and more pain than I care to recount.  Through all of the heart wrenching sadness, we've seen God work in our lives as we've allowed Him to use us, but more importantly, we've seen the impact of His love on those around us. 

This may sound strange, but through it all, I've been reminded of Abraham Lincoln.  In the middle of the Civil War, one of the best Presidents in U.S. history issued the first in an unbroken chain of Thanksgiving Day proclamations.  Although the schools teach us about the first Thanksgiving Day dinner with the Pilgrims, our Thanksgiving Day holiday was originally issued by Abraham Lincoln.  His words from 1863 are as true today as they were then, and as we approach Thanksgiving, I wanted to share them with you.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.  In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.  Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.  Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.  They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.   And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Basic Bible Doctrines - Session 5

Satanology or the doctrine of Satan is properly a part of Angelology since Satan is a fallen angel. It is that part that deals specifically with the ruler of the fallen angels or demons (Matt. 25:42; Rev. 12:7-9). The career of Satan, which extends from the dateless past, before man's creation (Job. 38:7), to eternity future, is inclusive in the Bible and forms a major and an important doctrine of the Word of God.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith …

Satan is not just an evil, impersonal influence, but a very real creature, a fallen angel with supernatural powers. He is also not the keeper of hell. The lake of fire was prepared for him and his angels. Furthermore, it is not the devil who confines people to hell or Hades. It is God who sends men there and later to the lake of fire to join Satan and the demon hosts (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:11-15). To be effective against the enemy you must know your enemy so you can be prepared to effectively counter his attacks. For this reason alone, the doctrine of Satanology is a very important study.

Seven Old Testament books teach his existence (Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah) and every New Testament writer refers to his reality and activity as a personal being. More importantly, Christ also affirmed the fact of Satan and his activity as a personal being in 25 of the 29 Gospel passages that speak of him.

The Nature of Satan

· He is a Creature: like all angels, Satan is a creature, created by Christ, the Creator of all things (John 1:1 with Psa. 148:1-5; Col. 1:16; Ezek. 28:13).

· He is a Spirit Being: Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as spirits and demons are called unclean spirits (Matt. 8:16; 12:45; Luke 7:21; 8:2; 11:26; Acts 19:12; Rev. 16:14). Further, the fact we are told that “we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12) also suggest that Satan and his demons are spirit beings. Finally, the fact that Paul describes them as invisible also shows they are spirit beings (Col. 1:16).

· He Has Limitations: Though extremely powerful, Satan is neither omnipotent, omniscient, nor omnipresent. He simply cannot be everywhere at once. Angels are not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. They cannot be everywhere at once and this is true of Satan. However, as the chief of his demons forces or as the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), he is chief of a vast host of demons who are so numerous as to make Satan’s power and presence seem to be practically ubiquitous or everywhere at once (cf. Mark 5:9).

Because of this limitation, many references to Satan or the devil include his whole kingdom. The person of Satan does not personally tempt each of us for he simply cannot do that. He is only able to do so through his world system and demon hosts. In his appearance when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord (Job 1:6), in the temptation of Christ (Matt. 4:10f), and the entrance into Judas (Luke 22:3) we surely have clear references to the person of Satan himself, but in many other passages, Satan or the devil seems to stand for Satan’s kingdom (see Mark 3:23; 4:15; Luke 13:16; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; Jam. 4:7). The promise of Scripture is that “greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Read Ezekiel 28:11-19 (English Standard Version) - A Lament over the King of Tyre

11Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me: 12(A) "Son of man,(B) raise a lamentation over(C) 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. 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. 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. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. 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. 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. 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. All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever."

Although there is some debate that this passage in Ezekiel refers to Satan, there is ample evidence to assume that it refers to something greater than the King of Tyre that was mentioned in the previous verses. If it is describing Satan, it describes his original state as the anointed cherub who was not only a created being, but created perfect. He enjoyed the highest position and honor in the presence of God. Because of his pride and aspirations to be like God, he became God’s chief adversary. After this, he is never again called by any of the prestigious titles. Instead, he is called by the terms that reflect his fallen character and hostility to God and men. We’ll look at those in a minute.

As with the rest of the angels, the time of his creation is not specified. If Ezekiel 28:13 refers to Satan and to the earthly Garden in Eden, then, of course, he had to have been created before God planted the Garden in Eden (Gen. 2:8).

Read Isaiah 14:12-17

"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! 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; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?'

In Isaiah, we see that before his fall, as the Day Star or the shining one. He is described as having great power (who shook kingdoms, etc.). We also see that eventually, he will be brought low. We also see that his sin was originally intended to be secret, but was openly known by God. His sin consisted of:

· His desire to share God’s abode – verse 13a. His rightful place was in the second heaven. While his duty was in the third heaven with God, his abode was not.

· His desire to control heaven’s hosts – verse 13b. Job 38:7 shows us that the stars may be a reference to angels as does Rev 12:3-9.

· His desire to control God’s chosen people – verse 13c. He wanted to rule together with or instead of the Messiah. The terms “mountain”, “congregation”, or “assembly” and “sides of the North” probably refer to “government”.

· His desire for the glory which belongs to God alone – verse 14a. The term “heights” or “heavenlies” may well be a reference to the proper abode of angels, and the term “clouds” is often associated with the divine presence and glory – the shekinah. Ex 24:15-18.

· His desire for the power and authority of the Most High – verse 14b. This title of God indicates that Satan’s desire was to be “possessor of heaven and earth,” Gen 14:19-22. His sin was wanting to be like God. This is one of the major clues that he has always been a master counterfeiter. His sin was not only the rejection of God’s will, but also the substituting of something else of his own design in its place.

The nature of Satan’s character and work in opposition to God is clearly seen in the temptation he placed before Adam and Eve. He tempted them to act independently of God that they might become like God knowing good and evil. Man wants to leave his proper abode as a creature and become like a god. The source of this is found in the temptation of the serpent, identified in the New Testament as the devil (2 Cor. 11:3; Rev. 12:9, 11)

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Specific Names Applied to Satan

We find out a lot about the character and personality of Satan simply by looking at the names used to describe him in the Bible.

Lucifer, Son of the Morning (Isa. 14:12)

These two names mean “morning star or shining one and son of the dawn (Isa. 14:12). The Hebrew word for Lucifer (KJV translation) is helel, literally “the shining one.” It comes from a Hebrew form, halal. Significantly, the form has two meaning: (1) it means “to shine,” or it can mean, depending on the context, (2) “to boast or praise.” Ironically, as the shining one he got his eyes off the Lord, the source of his brilliance, became proud and boastful instead of full of praise to God’s glory. This name draws our attention to his pre-fall condition and to the nature of the cause of his fall—pride.

Satan (Job 1:6-9; Matt. 4:10)

The title “Satan” occurs 53 times in 47 verses in the Bible. The Greek word is satanas and the Hebrew is satan. The primary idea is ‘adversary, one who withstands.’ It points to Satan as the opponent of God, of believers, and all that is right and good. We should note, however, that Satan often appears as an angel of light promising what is supposed to be good (Gen. 3:1f; 2 Cor 11:14), but it is only a sham to further aid him in his work as the arch enemy and adversary in opposition to God and what is truly good.

The Devil (Matt. 4:1, 5, 9; Eph. 4:27; Rev. 12:9; 20:2)

“Devil” is the Greek word diabollos which means “slanderer, defamer.” This accentuates his goal and work to impugn the character of God. This is clearly spelled out in 1 Peter 5:8 where he is called “our adversary.”

The Serpent (Rev. 12:9)

This name for Satan looks back to the account in Genesis 3 and the temptation in the Garden. It is designed to remind us of his crafty deception and guile (cf. 2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 12:9).

The Evil One (John 17:15; 1 John 5:9)

In these two passages, Satan is described of as “the evil one.” The Greek adjective, ponhros, means “wicked, evil, bad, base, worthless, vicious, degenerate.” In both passages it has the article and in either case it may be either masculine, “the evil one,” or neuter, “the wickedness or evil.”

The Dragon (Rev. 12:7)

In this passage Satan is called “the dragon.” The Greek word is drakwn and refers to a “hideous monster, a dragon, or large serpent.” This word stresses the cruel, vicious, and blood thirsty character and power of Satan. This name is especially related to his end-time character and world system when God removes all restraints and allows him to go his natural way, to become what he naturally is.

The Prince or Ruler (John 12:31)

Some translations have “prince” and others “ruler” as in John 12:31. The Greek literally means, “the ruler of this world system.” This points to Satan as the head and energy behind the arrangements of things as they are in the world today in their opposition against God, His plan, and people.

The God of This World or Age (2 Cor. 4:4)

Satan is called, the god of this world which may emphasize Satan’s rulership over this final period or economy which is so marked by a growing increase in apostasy, deception, and moral decay.

The Prince of the Power of the Air (Eph. 2:2a)

This designation points to Satan as the head of the demonic hosts (Eph. 2:2) which includes all the fallen angelic beings who operate night and day in our immediate atmosphere filling the world with Satan’s propaganda, deception, viewpoint, doubts and temptations.

The Accuser of the Brethren (Rev. 12:10)

While some might list this as simply one of the characterizations of Satan, it is so much a part of his behavior, it seems fitting to list it under his names. The Accuser is a fitting title because night and day he is at work accusing believers when they sin.

The Tempter (Matt. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5)

· The Actuality: In the above two passages, Satan is specifically called “the Tempter.” Again, while we might simply list this among his characterizations, it seems fitting to see this as a name for the devil. This title reveals him in another of his primary activities as seen from the very beginning with Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3).

· His Agents: In two of the classic passages on his work of temptation, we see Satan personally involved (Gen. 3; and Matt. 4), but we must remember that as a creature, Satan is not omnipresent. Thus, in passages like, 1 Thessalonians 3:5 and 1 Corinthians 7:5, the references to Satan simply point him out as the ultimate source, but he must rely on the following agents to carry out his temptation: (1) his network of demons, (2) the world system which lies under his control (1 John 5:19), (3) carnal or ignorant Christians he is able to use as he did Peter (Matt. 16:22-23), (4) unbelievers under his influence or domination (Luke 22:1-6; Eph. 2:2; Rev. 13).

· His Avenues of Temptation: In 1 John 2:16, we find the three primary avenues of his temptation are:

o the lusts of the flesh

o lust of the eyes

o the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

· The Applied Process Satan Uses: As with Eve in Genesis 3, Satan uses the mind and emotions to get people to make negative choices against God. Temptation itself is never sin. Though we can be foolish and set ourselves up for temptation (cf. Prov. 7:6-10), it is our response to temptation that leads to sin (see Prov. 4:23; 2 Cor. 10:5; Phil. 4:8; Jam 1:12-15).

· The Armor of the Believer: (1) Resist the devil by drawing near and putting on the full armor of God (Jam. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9; Eph. 6:13f), (2) Run or flee temptation; avoid unnecessary places or conditions (2 Tim. l2:22; Prov. 5:8; 7:6-10; Gen. 39:1-12), (3) Render marital rights in marriage (1 Cor. 7:1f), (4) Renewal of the mind or a Word-filled life. The Lord Jesus is naturally the perfect example of how God’s Word enables us to meet temptation head on and cause Satan to flee (Matt. 4:1-11).

Belial (2 Cor 6:15)

This name means “worthless” or “hopeless ruin.” In 2 Corinthians, Paul uses it as a name for Satan as the epitome of worthlessness, hopeless ruin and the source of all idolatry and religion which is also hopeless or futile.

Beelzebul (Matt. 12:24; Mark 3:22)

There are three possible spellings of this word and each has a different meaning:

1. Beelzebul means “lord of the dung,” a name of reproach.

2. Beelzebub means “lord of the flies.” Either one of these are names of reproach and are names of uncleanness applied to Satan, the prince of the demons and uncleanness.

3. Beelzeboul, means, “the lord of the dwelling.” This would identify Satan as the god of unclean spirit of demon possession. Some believe this spelling and meaning fits better with Matthew 10:25 and 12:29. This spelling also has the best manuscript evidence behind it. Note that Matthew, Mark, and Luke all define Beelzeboul as the prince of demons. So this names epitomizes Satan as the leader of the demon hosts and the cause of the demon possession.

Abaddon, Apollyon (Rev 9:11)

Abaddon is the Greek form and Apollyon is the Hebrew equivalent. These words mean ‘destroyer,’ ‘destruction.’ The name connects Satan as the head over the demons of the abyss and their work of destruction that will occur when he is given the key to the abyss in the Tribulation and releases these demon hordes on the people of the earth.

The Work of Satan

Satan’s work is to attempt to short-circuit the plan of God. He has attempted to do so throughout history in a variety of ways. A primary example of this is his temptation of Christ in Matthew 4:1-11 where he attempted to thwart the Messianic purpose by inducing Christ to accomplish the divinely intended ends by Satanically inspired means. In relation to men, we see that:

· For the unsaved

o He blinds their minds to the gospel

o Snatches away the truth

o Uses men to advance false religions

o Places evil in their hearts.

· For believers

o He attacks Christians at every point in their faith

o He seeks to destroy fellowship with an unforgiving spirit

o He leads into sin

o He seeks to corrupt the thought life

o He hinders God’s servants in their service for Him

o He accuses believers to the Father

· For Israel – He seeks to destroy her with various forms of anti-Semitism

In relation to God, I find it very interesting that he is God’s enemy, but we find that Satan is used of God to accomplish His purposes. (1 Cor 5:5, 2 Cor 12:7, and the book of Job)

Given Satan’s power, that he hates believers, and that he controls a host of fallen angels, what is our defense against him. In my mind, this is probably the most important part of this study.

· We should never treat him lightly. Jude 8-10

· We should realize our position in Christ. Ephesians 1:3; 6:10-12

· We should realize the indwelling presence of Christ. 1 John 4:4, 2 Cor 2:14

· We should realize that Satan is a defeated foe. John 16:11

· We should put on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-18

· We should resist the devil. James 4:7

· We should be alert. 1 Peter 5:8

· We should give him no place. Ephesians 4:27

· We should be aware of his ways. 2 Cor 2:11

· We should properly employ the Word of God. Matt 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13

Very briefly, I want to touch on the fact that Satan’s current domain is the world and that he has usurped authority here that should have fallen to man. As a result, he is the ruler of this world system and although God will assert His will and has overcome it in Christ, this world system hates both the Christian and his God. As a result, we can expect attacks from it. We are to have no love or friendship for the system or things of the world and we are to not conform ourselves to this age. Instead, we are to be escapees and victors over the world through faith. In addition, we are sent as ambassadors to the world as Christ was sent of the Father.

The world is not something that can be fixed up. God calls us to be separate from the world, but to testify to it of His grace. In the end, this world system will pass away and will one day be mastered by Christ. At the beginning, Satan was cast out of Heaven as his abode, he was judged at the cross, he will be judged in the middle and end of the tribulation, and as his final and eternal judgment, he will be cast into the Lake of Fire. His end should be a warning and an encouragement to us as we walk through this life with Christ.