Satan-Angels-Demons

Main Point: Whether we choose to believe in them or not, Jesus teaches that Satan, angels, and demons are real, and we shouldn’t ignore that reality.

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” —Matthew 13:24-30

Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” —Matthew 13:36-43

The truth is, if we believe in Jesus then we must also believe in Satan, in angels and in demons.

“When the light of the world came, the darkness rose up against him.” —Graham A. Cole, Against the Darkness

The truth is, Satan’s primary goal is to destroy God’s kingdom and his primary tactic is to sow lies that cast doubt, create division, and cause destruction.

“(T)he devil’s primary stratagem to drive the soul and society into ruin is deceptive ideas that play to disordered desires, which are normalized in a sinful society.” —John Mark Comer, Live No Lies

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, NIV)

The truth is, our best response to spiritual attacks is the truth of what God has said.

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. —John 17:15-19, NLT

“We are to live with the singular mission of advancing God’s kingdom by the unique way we live, the self-sacrificial way we love, the humble way we serve, and the power we demonstrate against oppressive forces.” —Gregory Boyd

Takeaway ¬ The truth is, if we are one with Jesus we will share in His victory over the agents of darkness.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. —(Romans 16:20, NIV)

QUESTIONS
1. Do you believe that Satan is real? If so, what evidence would you give to support your answer?
2. What do you believe about angels? Do you have any beliefs that might have come more from culture and media than from the Bible?
3. What do spiritual attacks feel like for you? When you feel attacked spiritually what do you usually do? Are there Bible verses that are particularly helpful to you then?
4. Can you think of any popular cultural messages heard today that might be lies encouraged by Satan/demons?

Table Discussion Question: Some people think everyone has a personal guardian angel, and others don’t. The Bible isn’t absolutely clear on that. What do you think?