Satan – An Adversary Of The Christian Soldier

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, January 18, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

SATAN – AN ADVERSARY OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-9

Text: 1 Peter 5:8

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

Introduction: As you probably know by now, our church theme for this year is “Prepare for War in 2004.” I think many of you will also agree that one of the reasons the attack upon our country by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001 was so devastating was that we were not prepared for it. We did not expect it.

Let me say this morning that you Christians are under SPIRITUAL attack and many of you are not even aware of it. 

Bible students have long realized that there are three great enemies of the Christian: the world, the flesh, and the devil. This morning I want to talk to you about the third of these enemies, Satan, in the message:

SATAN – AN ADVERSARY OF THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

SATAN IS REAL!

He is not just an influence. He does not just represent evil. He is a CREATURE, a PERSONALITY, who opposes God and God’s people. He is called a serpent, and in our text he is compared to a lion, ready to devour sheep, the flock of God.

Satan cannot devour or destroy the soul of the Christian, but he can, under certain circumstances, destroy the believer’s joy, testimony, fellowship with God, and Christian service and usefulness.

In our scripture reading God tells us to resist Satan steadfastly. I want to give you a few guidelines this morning for doing that.

I. BE AWARE OF SATAN AND HIS DEVICES 

2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 

A. Deceit
1. Genesis. 3:13 – The serpent BEGUILED me!
2. Galatians 6:7 – Be not DECEIVED!
3. 2 Corinthians 11:3 – The serpent beguiled Eve

B. Doubt
1. Genesis 3:1
2. Romans 10:17

C. Discord
1. Psalms 133:1
2. Proverbs 6:16-19

D. Discouragement
1. 1 Samuel 30:6 – David encouraged himself in the Lord
2. Philippians 4:13

E. Distraction
1. Hebrews 12:1

F. Delay
1. Joshua 24:15

II. BE ALERT

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

A. Always be looking
1. Gideon’s 300?

B. Always be listening
1. Discern the spirits
2. Know the voice
3. Satan is a great imitator

C. Always be loosened from the world
1. 2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life …

III. BE ARMED

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

A. Get equipped

B. Get experience with God’s armor
1. David wouldn’t use Saul’s armor to fight Goliath, because he had not proved, or tested it

C. Get the ENTIRE armor
1. Eph. 6:11 Put on the WHOLE armour of God!

IV. BE ACTIVE

2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

(Example of David)

“The idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

A. Humble yourself regularly
1. 1 Peter 5:5-6
2. Peter’s problem was pride; Satan was pursuing him
3. 1 Timothy 3:6 Pride can cause a novice to fall into the condemnation of the devil 

B. Heed the word of God regularly
1. 1 Peter 5:2
2. Be active at the altar!
3. Confess sin
4. Rededicate in service

C. Hurl yourself into the work of God and His warfare
1. If you’re saved, get baptized!
2. Join the church!
3. Get busy!
4. Attend everything!
5. Volunteer! God will use YOU!

PREPARE FOR WAR IN 2004!