“Satan’s Traps Avoiding”
Ephesians 6:10-12, Romans 1:25, Genesis 3:1-7
Sermon Series: “Unstuck”
Introduction: Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we are in a life or death struggle with unseen spiritual forces. Life is more of a battleground than a playground because Satan and his forces are out to destroy us. This is reality that we must take seriously. Ephesians 6:10 tells us that we have “to stand against the wiles of the devil.” “Wiles” means “schemes, trickery, or crafty methods.” Jesus called Satan a liar (John 8:44), and Paul called him a deceiver (2 Corinthians 11:3). Paul spoke of the snare of the devil that takes people captive (2 Timothy 2:26). Jesus also said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10a). Putting all of this together, we learn:
Satan’s desire is to capture and destroy us, and the method he uses is lies and deception.
Let’s look at the lies Satan tells and learn how we can overcome them so we can avoid his traps.
Lie #1-The Ultimate Lie: We can live independently of God and be our own gods (Romans 1:25). This is the ultimate lie that is the root of all other lies and the end goal of everything that Satan does. He wants us to live on our own, independently of God. This is why we must repent and trust Jesus in order to be saved.
Lie #2-The Lie About Truth: God’s Word is not trustworthy and authoritative. Satan questioned and then denied God’s Word. He always attacks here because the Word of God is the basis of our faith. Any voice that is questioning, denying, distorting, adding to, or taking away from God’s Word is ultimately from Satan.
Lie #3-The Consequences Lie: We can disobey the Word of God and get away with it. No, we always reap what we sow.
Lie #4-The Identity Lie: We can define ourselves instead of letting God define us. In order to overcome temptation, we must know who we are and whose we are. Our identity is defined in and through Jesus.
Lie #5-The Purpose Lie: God is not good. He does not want what is best for you so you have to find it for yourself. Satan wants us to doubt God’s goodness because it drives us to despair. This temptation can come when we are dealing with unanswered prayers, in the midst of trials, when we think others are getting blessed more than us, when we are trying to do right and things are not going well, etc. (see Psalm 73, Romans 8:28, Galatians 6:9, Jeremiah 29:11).
Lie #6-The Authority Lie: Nobody, including God, can tell us what to do. It is my life, and I can make my own choices. This is the subtle implication of everything that Satan said. Believing it leads to rebellion against human and divine authority. Ultimately, it leads to slavery and destruction (Romans 6:16, 23).
Lie #7-The Desire Lie: We should follow our own desires. If we do what looks, sounds, and feels good, life will turn out great for us. When we live by our own senses instead of the truth of God’s Word, sin is inevitable. Sin actually takes places when Satan’s temptations intersect with our own desires (James 1:12-16).
Lie #8-The Peer Pressure Lie: We should go along with what other people are doing. No, we are to stand up, stand out, and obey God no matter what others think.
Conclusion-The Answer For Satan’s Lies:
1. The truth (John 8:32)
2. Jesus (John 14:6, Genesis 3:15, 21)
3. Confession (Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:9-2:2)
