BEHIND ENEMY LINES STRATEGIES FOR LIFE IN SATAN’S TERRITORY Not a Good Place to be Sifted Luke 22:

WHAT IS “SPIRITUAL WARFARE”? The action of satan (or his fellow angels or demons) to hinder or disrupt the plan of God in the lives of believers, the church or the world. 1 John 3:8, “…Son of God came for this purpose to destroy the works of the devil.”

THE WORKS OF SATAN 1.Keep us or take us outside God’s will. 2.Defeat us with his condemnations. 3.Weaken us spiritually in his fallen world. 4.Hinder the work of the Church through disharmony and false teaching. 5.Steal, silence, the joy of the Lord.

TWO PRIMARY WAYS HE WORKS IN OUR LIVES. 1.Lies, false beliefs, accusations. John 8:44, 2 Cor 4:4 2.Through our sin. Luke 22:31, Eph 4:26

1.HOW CAN SATAN DEMAND PERMISSION? NIV: “…has asked to sift you…” ESV: “… demanded to have you to … sift you…” Not a polite request: “may I have him, please.” Satan’s request is that God hand him over.

BECAUSE OF PETER’S SIN, SATAN WAS GRANTED PERMISSION. Peter’s statement: 1.Matthew 16:22 – Peter tells him he knows better; 2.Matthew 26:33 Every one else but not me. 3.Matthew 26:35 I will die for you By our words, we are justified… Matt 12:37

NARNIA MOVIE CLIP The Lion (Aslan) – Jesus Christ The white witch – satan Narnia – the world we live in (the witch’s) The boy (Edmond) – every traitor “belongs to me.” His blood is my property. A sinner. “You dare not refuse me, Aslan.” (CVLI license # )

2.SIN GIVES US WHAT WE HAVE CHOSEN. Luke 4:5-6 … for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Adam chose satan’s voice over God’s. He was cast out. Gen 3:24

OUR CHOICES GIVE US TO OUR CHOICES. Ephesians 4:17 Romans 1: Thessalonians 2:11-12 Revelation 18:6

THE SIFTING BY SATAN Condemning voices in Peter’s head: V 56 – servant girl: “You were with him… V 58 – you also are one of them… V 59 – you are one… he is Galilean. Prove it; till death? Not deny him? Whats wrong with you Peter?

3.SATAN FINDS A PLACE IN ANTI-GOD CHOICES. Ephesians 4:26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. [foothold, place]

WHAT ABOUT OUR WOUNDS FROM OTHERS? Satan works through our offenses, our wounds. We get even by holding on to anger. When we get even satan gains a foothold.

HOW CAN WE HAVE VICTORY OVER SATAN? 1.We need to be knowledgeable of his schemes: 2 Corinthians 2:11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.

HOW CAN WE HAVE VICTORY OVER SATAN? 2.Turn to God. Luke 22:31, “… and once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” God gives grace in His truth. Satan condemns us and then seeks to destroy us.

HOW CAN WE HAVE VICTORY OVER SATAN? 3.Allow others to help you. Jesus prayed for Simon that his faith not fail him.