Satan’s Devices Stand Against the “Wiles of the Devil.” Ephesians 6:10-13

Overwhelming Sorrow Example: The man who had his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1,4-5,11-13; 2 Corinthians 2:6-11) Forgive and comfort him lest Satan get an advantage (1 Corinthians 2:7, 11) When we obey the Lord, take comfort that we have the forgiveness that God promised (Isaiah 55:7, non-Christian: 1 Corinthians 6:11, Christian: Acts 8:22 / 1 John 1:9).

Fear and Doubt Example: Peter on the sea (Matthew 14:22-31) The wind did not diminish the power of Jesus’ command to “come” (Matthew 14:29). But when Peter “saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid” and began to sink (Matthew 14:30). Peter did not have to sink (Matthew 14:31). Trust the word of God. Trust God that things will be just as he said they would be (Proverbs 3:5; Paul: Acts 27:21-25,44; Abraham: Hebrews 11:17-19).

Pressure and Ridicule Example: The man born blind (John 9) An example of courage to admit what he knew to be true (John 9:30-34, vs. 9:20-22, 12:42). The questioning of doubters does not change the facts (Proverbs 23:23) Creation/Evolution: Since the world began, it has always been known that life comes from life and that living things reproduce after their own kind. The scriptures show us that God breathed into man the breath of life and that creation declares God’s power (Genesis 1:24, 2:7, Romans 1:20). Have the courage to confess the truth that you know (Matthew 10:31-33, Rev 21:8)

Marital Separation Example: From questions to Paul (1 Corinthians 7:2-5) Paul describes a separation with consent for a time and for a specific reason “so that Satan does not tempt you” (7:5) Satan can lure us into sin with false concepts. “A couple can separate just so long as they don’t divorce” “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). Divorce does divide what God joined, but the command is simply “let not man put asunder.” “Let not the wife depart from her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:10). One does depart from their husband when they divorce, but the command is simply, “let not the wife depart.” “so that Satan does not tempt you” (1 Corinthians 7:5)

Marital Separation Example: From questions to Paul (1 Corinthians 7:2-5) Paul describes a separation with consent for a time and for a specific reason “so that Satan does not tempt you” (7:5) Satan can lure us into sin with false concepts. “A couple can divorce just so long as they don’t remarry” “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). “Let not the wife depart from her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:10). “so that Satan does not tempt you” (1 Corinthians 7:5) Matthew 5:32 allows only one right reason for divorce, that is “for sexual immorality.”

Pride (Self Sufficiency) Example: Those of our calling (1 Corinthians 1:26) All that we have is given to us by God (1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Timothy 6:17) God is able to humble those who walk in pride: Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:29-32) Laodicea (Revelation 3:15-19) “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14) Glory in the Lord and in his will for us (1 Corinthians 1:31 / Jeremiah 9:23-24, Proverbs 4:7).

Deceitful Doctrines Satan aims to derail us from pure devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3) Our desire should be to help recover others from the snares of Satan (2 Timothy 2:24-26) Consider Galatians 5:6b in light of the doctrine that works have no part in our salvation. Paul shows us that what profits is “faith which worketh by love.” Love should motivate all that we do. Paul thanked God for Philemon’s example (Philemon 4-5). Faith requires us to live not by what we feel, but by the word of God (Luke 4:4, Hebrews 11:6, Colossians 3:17). A proper understanding of faith and works in the book of Romans is that God intended for man’s faith to be an obedient faith – God intended for man to obey His gospel (Romans 2:7-8, 6:17-18, 10:16- 17, 16:25-26). We are not saved because we have kept God’s law perfectly, but because we are forgiven by God’s grace through our obedient faith (Ephesians 2:8). Even faith itself is a “work” of God that we must do (John 6:29).

With the help of God and with the armor of God, we can meet and overcome the temptations of Satan (Ephesians 6:10-13, 1Peter 5:8-9).