Know Your Enemy
Sermon series: God at War
February 26, 2023
Phil Chorlian
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” —Genesis 3:1-5
He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. —Revelation 20:2
How do we
the craftiness of the devil?
1 - Be aware of his
But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. —2 Corinthians 11:3
For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. —2 Corinthians 11:13-14
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. —John 8:44
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. —John 10:10
2 - Welcome the
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” —Genesis 3:1
3 - Commit yourself to God and close
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. —James 4:7-8
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. —Ephesians 4:26-27
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith… —I Peter 5:8-9