2. Introduction The Bible says the devil is like a roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8) He is a murderer, a liar and the father of all lies having sinned from the beginning of time (John 8:44). He is called the god and ruler of this world; the prince of the power of the air who works in those who are disobedient (2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31; Eph. 2:2). He has the power of death and hell is prepared for him and his angels (Heb. 2:14; Matt. 25:41). He is a powerful adversary (1 Peter 5:8) but Jesus Christ overcame every device of the devil with Scripture (Matt. 4:3-4) and the apostle Paul said that we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Cor. 2:11).

3. Device #1- Discredits God’s Word Satan does not want people to be saved and therefore will take away God’s word from their heart (Lk. 8:12) He tries to destroy Eve’s confidence in God’s word by saying “has God really said you shall not eat of every tree in the garden” (Gen. 3:1). After Eve told him that she understood God’s command and death would result if she disobeyed, Satan lies by telling her that she would not die (Gen. 3:2-4). Satan misrepresents God’s motives as false (Gen. 3:5). The devil got Adam and Eve to doubt God’s word and they sinned (Gen. 3:6) along with all of mankind (Rom. 3:23). Let us not be ignorant of his schemes!

4. Device #1- Discredits God’s Word Satan got the Jews to say that Jesus cast out demons by the power of Beezebul (Matt. 12:24); he got Peter to rebuke the Lord and deny Him three times (Mark 8:33; 14:30, 72); and had Judas betray Him so that he would be crucified (Luke 22:1-6). Satan might suggest today, “Can you really trust in every word God says?” The Scripture says that the Bible is inspired, infallible, and inerrant (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and Jesus said that you can live by every word of God (Matt. 4:3-4). When people don’t agree with what the Bible says they may argue that you cannot really trust in every word of God but it’s not just our religious friends.

5. The World Doesn’t Believe that the Bible is Inspired but Some Brethren don’t either I think that the weight of the evidence tips the scale in favor of the authenticity of 2 Peter and Jude. That’s, that’s my conclusion. Now I will be very frank with you here. A fellow says, “Now, Marty, are you just totally certain about that?” A gospel preacher said, “I think that the weight of the evidence tips the scale in favor of the authenticity of 2 Peter and Jude. That’s, that’s my conclusion. Now I will be very frank with you here. A fellow says, “Now, Marty, are you just totally certain about that?” No. Have to be honest. In fact my Lord Jesus demands that I be intellectually honest. I can't be a follower of Jesus and not be. And I think the evidence tips the scales in favor of their authenticity. And that's what I would argue, that's what I've tried to argue here. But I would have to say, I can't just be dogmatic about that, I'm not a hundred percent certain about that". (Marty Pickup, The Canonicity of the General Epistles, Florida College Annual Lectures, [8 Feb. 2000]).

6. Device #2- Wants Man to Curse God The Lord had asked Satan if he had considered Job who was a blameless and upright man who feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:8). Satan wanted God to make him suffer so that Job would curse Him to his face (Job 1:9-11). After being given permission to do Job harm, Satan immediately uses the Sabeans & Chaldeans, fire from heaven, and a tornado to kill his servants, his cattle, and all his children but instead of cursing God or blaming Him, Job worshiped Him (Job 1:12-22). After that he smote Job with boils; got his wife to tell him to curse God and die; uses his friends to persecute him; and he is cut off from society. (Job 2:4-9; 19:2-3, 22)

7. Device #2- Wants Man to Curse God Would you blame God or quit serving Him if you lost all your possessions in a tornado or hurricane? Would you blame God or quit serving Him if you lost all your children in a tragic accident? Would you blame God or quit serving Him if you were given an incurable disease which you had to suffer with everyday of your life? Would you blame God or quit serving Him if you were told by your spouse to curse God and die? Would you blame God or quit serving Him if your friends told you that you are suffering because of your sins without any proof and did this continually?

8. Device #2- Wants Man to Curse God You may be suffering right now because you are righteous but remember that God will not ever give you more than you can bear (1 Cor. 10:13). Satan wants you to blame God or curse Him but remember that the Lord never tempts man to do evil (James 1:13-16). But why did God allow Job to suffer so much? The Lord never tells Job why he suffered (Job 38-42) but we know that the Lord was compassionate and merciful in blessing him even more abundantly in the end than the beginning (James 5:11). We must trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-7).

9. Device #3- Deceives By Distorting God’s Word and Appearing Righteous Satan tries to get Jesus to jump off the temple to prove He is the Son of God by quoting Psalms 91:11 to suggest that the angels would make sure that He didn’t get hurt (Matthew 4:5-6). Satan knows Scripture but he distorted it in order to get Jesus to sin and he tries to do that with us also. Jesus said, “On the other hand it is written, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matt. 4:7). The apostle Paul warned that the devil appears as an angel of light and his servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

10. Device #3- Deceives By Distorting God’s Word and Appearing Righteous Satan has his ministers tell people that one church is as good as another. But he doesn’t want you to know that the church was purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28) and that there is only one church (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4). Satan has his ministers tell everyone that “being justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine and very full of comfort” (Methodist Discipline). But he doesn’t want you to know that the Bible says that “we are justified by works and not by faith only” (James 2:24) and that you must obey Jesus to be saved (Hebrews 5:9).

11. Device #3- Deceives By Distorting God’s Word and Appearing Righteous Satan has gotten his ministers to tell people that if you are honest and sincere in your belief you will go to heaven. Satan doesn’t want you to know that the honest and sincere can be deceived and that they must do the will of God in order to go to heaven (Matt. 7:21-23) Satan has his ministers tell people that baptism is not essential to salvation. Satan doesn’t want you to know that the Bible says that baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16).

12. Device #3- Deceives By Distorting God’s Word and Appearing Righteous Satan has gotten his ministers to tell people that once you are saved you are always saved. Satan doesn’t want you to know that the believer can have an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God (Hebrews 3:1, 12). Satan has his ministers tell people at their loved one’s funeral that they are in heaven even when they know they have lived an ungodly life. Satan doesn’t want you to know that the Bible says that those who are unholy will not enter into heaven and few will go there (Heb. 12:14; Matt. 7:13-14).

13. Conclusion How do you overcome the devices of the devil? When Satan tries to discredit God’s word you remember that the Scriptures are completely trustworthy and reliable to lead you to heaven (Acts 20:32). When Satan wants you to curse God or blame Him because you are righteous remember that through our trials we learn to be godly and persevere in our faith (James 1:2-4, 12). When Satan tries to distort God’s word and appear righteous remember that the truth will bring down every false argument so that we might be obedient to Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-6; 1 Peter 3:15).