Rev 12: 10  I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11  "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

I. Who is Satan, what does he do, and why?

A. Creation & Fall

Ez 28:13 Is 14:12-15 12…I will be like the Most High. Highest created being felled by prideful grab for independent power.
He is a murderer-Jn 8:44, a liar-Jn 8:44, accuser-Rev12:10, our adversary-1 Pet5:8, the Devil-slanderer, Lucifer-son of the morning, Beelzebub-Lord of the flies – Matt12:24, and Belial-lawless – 2 Cor6:15, the evil one-1 Jn 5:19, the tempter-1 Thess3:5, the prince of this world-Jn 12:31, the god of this age-2 Cor4:4, the prince of the power of the air-Eph2:2, the accuser of the brethren-Rev12:10, and angel of light-false light – 2 Cor11:14, a serpent-Rev12:9, and a dragon-Rev12:3

B. Current Work

Blinds to the Truth; By lies tempts believers to independence, disunity, and missing the will and glory of God. blinds minds to the gospel of glory 2 Cor4:4;  snatches/distracts Word Lk 8:12; persecution Rev 2:10; false religions Rev 2:13; He tempts believers to pride 1Chron 21:1-8; materialism Jn 2:15; Js 5:1-7; immorality 1Cor7:5; lie Ac 5:3; discouragement 1Pt 5:6-10; unforgiving 2Cor 2:10,11 etc; hinders ministry 1Thess 2:18; Rev 2:10; promotes false teaching 1Jn 4:1-4; promotes anger, bitterness and division Eph 4:26,27; 2Cor2:5-11

C. Future

Lame duck rule ends; bound 1000 yrs; released; deceives one last time; eternal lake of fire

II. How does Satan do His dirty work? What are his schemes?

(See Lies We Believe)

A. Doubt & Deception

Pr 20:17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
Satan offers a shortcut to our desires (both legitimate and illegitimate) for power (security/significance/revenge/justice), pleasure, and possessions
1. Take Heed Lk 21:8 Take heed that you not be deceived…Therefore do not go after them.
On Guard Dt 11:16  "Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them
2. Deceived by: Pride Obadiah 1:3  The pride of your heart has deceived you…
 1Cor 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
Deadly desires Tit 3:3 once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice & envy, hateful &hating one another
Dreams/Subjective Revelation Jer 29:8  Do not let your prophets & diviners deceive you, nor listen to your dreams
Signs/Experience Mt 24:5  "many will come in My name…and will deceive many. 11 "many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
Mt 24:24  "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Departure from fundamental wisdom Col 2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
Teachers Rm16:18 do not serve our Lord, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple
Folks we hang with 1Cor 15:33  Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."
3. Deceived about: Loss of Inheritance 1Cor 6:9 know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived…
Reap consequences of actions/sin Gal 6:7  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Future 2 Thess 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come…
Sin 1Tim 2:14  Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
Soft, broad-way discipleship 2Tim 3:13  But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Source of temptation and Destination of desire Js 1:14-16 One is tempted by his own lusts…it brings forth death Don’t be deceived,
Our own Sanctification 1 Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Abiding and doing God’s will 1 Jn 2:26  These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.
Righteousness 1 Jn 3:7 let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous as He is righteous. 8  He who sins is of the devil

B. Disunity & Disharmony

Isolation and Individualism (Independence is the Essence of Sin – see next week)
Hate 1Jn 2:11 he who hates his brother is in darkness, walks in darkness, does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes, 3:8  He who sins is of the devil, for devil has sinned from the beginning…Son of God manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
Believers influenced/controlled Acts 5:3  But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…
1Tim 4:1 Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons
1Tim 5:15  For some have already turned aside after Satan.

C. Discouragement & Despair

If Satan gets us to quit, we won’t arrive where God wants us to be. (Jn 17:4 2Cor 4:8)
1 Thess 5:8  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
2 Co 4:16 we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
Gal 6:9  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Rev 3:9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie; --indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.