1. Exercise humble authority and resist
A Bird’s Eye View
Put on Christ
Strip off sin
Eph.4:22
Gal. 3:27
Engage truth
Exercise humble authority and resist
James 4:7 (e.g. Jude 9)

2. The Divine Drama Act 1: Creation Act 2: Bondage through the fall
Act 3: God's people called to freedom
Act 4: Freedom established on the cross
Act 5: Freedom inaugurated in the church
Act 6: Final freedom: Christ’s return

3. Unit One: The Divine Drama of Spiritual Conflict in the Old Testament

4. Act 1: The Creation Genesis 1-2
Themes
God is the sovereign creator.
People are made in God's image; our purpose is to glorify Him.
Event
God's creation of the universe
God’s creation of humankind

5. Our Firm Foundation: God
God's Nature: Sovereign Creator
God's Identity: Loving, merciful Father
God's Goal: Unfold the Kingdom through human history

6. Implications of God as Sovereign Creator
He simply speaks, and what is spoken happens
Creation is God’s choice
Everything that exists does so only because God chooses to allow it—that choice continues today
Nothing that God made is intrinsically evil—God likes matter, since He invented it!
The world is to be utilized and enjoyed—while also being respected as God’s creation

7. Our Firm Foundation: God

8. We are made in God’s image
We have the ability to choose
We provoke jealousy in Satan by virtue of who we are
We were designed to connect to the one whose image we bear
We must worship—either God or idols

9. Act 2: The Fall Genesis 3-11 Events Themes
The temptation, fall, and banishment of Adam and Eve (Gen. 3)
The fall of the nations (Gen. 11)
Themes
Satan's nature and purposes
The battle for the mind

10. The Fall: Concluding Observations
Satan cannot coerce; he can only convince
In contrast to God, Satan is a “discreator”
Adam and Eve were tempted to take a generous provision of God and pervert it. Core of temptation: question who God is and who we are.
After succeeding in his quest, Satan disappears from the scene (he deserts his victims)
Immediate results of the fall include guilt, fear, unbelief, brokenness in relationships, and struggle with an enemy
The fall continues through Genesis 11, when the nations show they have fallen.

11. Our Antagonists: Satan and Demons
Their Nature: Rebellious creatures
Their Identity: Parents of lies and murder
Their Goals: Destruction of those made in God’s image

12. Satan’s Nature Toward Death Deceiver Liar Destroyer Murderer Sifter/
Tester
Toward Death
Tempter
Accuser
Sinner
Matt.4:3
1 Th. 3:5
Luke 22:31
Rev.12:10
Jn. 8:44
1 Jn.3:8
Jn 10:10a

13. Morphing Truth
God’s Truth
Satan’s Lie

14. A Dualistic Fantasy: What Satan Would Have Us Believe

15. Theistic Truth: God Is in Control!

16. The Human Side Our Nature: God imaging saints who sin
Our Identity: Children of God
Our Goal: Delight in God forever

17. Universal Human Needs Appetites: Tied to physical nature
Significance: Connecting to the One we image
Security: A place of rest; a sense of control

18. Idols: God Replacements Near Idols: The Search for Security
General orientation
Dominion over Creation
Control
Accessible and tangible
Examples
Money, possessions, lifestyle
Expertise, competence
Health, diet, fitness, body-beautiful
Result: Enslave and overpower us

19. Idols: God Replacements Far Idols: The Search for Significance
Core issues:
Trust: Relating to God
Meaning and purpose in life
Less accessible, more overarching
Examples:
Hope of happiness or immortality
Progress as an inevitable force
Self-esteem
Results: Evaporate when we need them most

20. Satan’s Intended Path
Domination
Deception
Destruction

21. The Enemy’s Chief Strategy: Destruction of Relationships on All Fronts

22. Act 3: God’s People Called to Freedom Genesis 12-Malachi
Events
God calls apart a people (Gen ).
Moses with Pharaoh (Exodus 7-9)
Saul's encounters (1 Sam ; 28)
Job's trials (Job 1-2)
Daniel's vision (Dan. 10:4-11:1)
Themes
God calls people on the basis of His mercy, which He longs to lavish on us.
Our responsibilities towards God
The different levels of spiritual conflict

23. Job’s Trial Satan further revealed:
A limited degree of freedom (to roam)
Accusation is his primary work
He can only act within restricted boundaries
He cannot believe in any person’s integrity
After proven wrong, there is no repentance
He has some control over nature and health
God’s concern is not with Satan but Job
Job defeats Satan not by direct engagement or expulsion, but by perseverance!

24. Daniel’s Vision Satan’s forces: God’s forces (angels): Daniel:
A hierarchy of demonic powers
Some ability to hinder angels on assignment
God’s forces (angels):
In this instance were overwhelming in appearance (Daniel faints)
Battle the demonic on behalf of God’s people
Daniel:
Only hears of the battle; does not directly participate
His focus is prayer—but not engaging “territorial spirits”

25. Fronts of Warfare Local Church Each Other Cosmic Cultural/ Systemic
Personal

26. Personal Strongholds
Security
Appetites
Truth
Significance
World View

27. Corporate Strongholds
(Local)
Organizations
Family/ Kinship
Associations

28. Systemic Strongholds
Law/Politics
Economics
Education
Religion