1. Learning From Satan to Stop Him

2. Warnings About Satan 1 Peter 5:8-9, he seeks to devour…resist him
2 Corinthians 2:11, we are not ignorant of his devices
2 Corinthians 11:13-15, he will transform himself into an angel of light
He can make himself look good, though he is evil.
Can we learn anything from him?

3. Why is Satan Successful?
He is determined
He works hard to implement his plans against you.
Ephesians 6:10-11, the wiles (schemes, deceitful plotting – Ephesians 4:14) of the devil.
1 Thessalonians 2:18, Paul hindered by Satan

4. Why is Satan Successful?
He is busy searching
He wants every soul he can claim from God. He is zealous in what he does
1 Peter 5:8, walks about like a roaring lion (seeking its prey)
Job 1:6-7, walking back and forth on the earth.
Luke 4:5-8, 13 – he tried to claim Jesus
Matthew 12:43-45

5. Why is Satan Successful?
He is efficient
He doesn't waste time or efforts. He is focused against you
2 Corinthians 11:3, with craftiness he deceived Eve
2 Corinthians 11:13-15, he transforms himself, along with his ministers
Luke 8:11-12, he will snatch the seed away
2 Corinthians 4:4 – the god of this age

6. Why is Satan Successful?
He believes in Jesus and God
Why did he seek to tempt Jesus?
Mark 1:23-24, the demons feared Jesus
Acts 19:15, Jesus & Paul, I know…
James 2:19, even the demons believe, and tremble
This belief is what causes him to work so hard against them

7. Why is Satan Successful?
He understands torment
Why did he seek to tempt Jesus?
Matthew 8:28-29, torment us before the time
James 2:19, even the demons believe, AND tremble
Hell is prepared for them – Matthew 25:41, 2 Peter 2:4, Revelation 20:10,…

8. About his success
Each of these qualities could be described as good
But there is NOTHING good in him. Why?
1) Because of his many other qualities – a liar, murderer, slanderer, tempter, his goals, etc.
2) Because he uses all his qualities for evil purposes

9. Successfully Stopping Satan
HOW do we stop him?
Use his qualities against him – the qualities we have noted are morally neutral. It is HOW we use them that determines their merit
Psalm 141:9-10, let the wicked fall into their own nets
Psalm 35:8

10. Successfully Stopping Satan
Be determined
Resolve. Make up your mind.
1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul determined to not know anything except Christ. What do we know base upon where we go, what we do, etc.?
1 Peter 1:13, gird up the loins of your mind
1 Peter 5:9, resist him

11. Successfully Stopping Satan
Be busy searching
Search! For truth, ways to resist him, lost souls, etc.
Matthew 7:7-8, seek and you will find…
Ezra 7:10, Ezra prepared his mind to seek the law of the Lord
Search for souls to take from him cf. John 1:40-42, Acts 8:4
Be zealous – Titus 2:14, Romans 12:11

12. Successfully Stopping Satan
Be efficient
Don’t waste time and resources.
How often does idleness and questionable behavior hinder our efforts?
Ephesians 5:15-16, redeem the time
1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:25 While all things are lawful, not all are helpful or edifying
How efficient are we in resisting him? e.g. parents, recreation, our society?

13. Successfully Stopping Satan
We need to believe in Jesus
Faith is fundamental as Christians. It is crucial to our fight against Satan
1 John 5:4, overcomes the world
1 Peter 5:9, resist him, steadfast in the faith
Ephesians 6:16, the shield of faith that quenches his fiery darts

14. Successfully Stopping Satan
We need to believe in torment (and heaven)
The concept of reward, both positive and negative is a motivator
Romans 6:23, wages of sin
2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, vengeance against those who do not obey
Revelation 20:14-15, anyone not found in the book of life…

15. Successfully Stopping Satan
We need to believe in torment (and heaven)
Our hope of heaven is also a motivator
Colossians 1:5, the hope which is laid up for you in heaven
Philippians 3:13-14, we press toward the goal
2 Corinthians 5:10-11, knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men

16. The very qualities that make Satan successful, are the same qualities that will help us defeat him.

17. What are you doing to keep Satan out of your life?