April 24, 2022

Spiritual Warfare: The Devil

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Why Do I . . . ? Topic: devil, spiritual warefare Scripture: John 8:31–45

Why Do I…? 
Spiritual Warfare: The Devil 
John 8:31-45

Ever ask yourself: “Why do I…?”  “Why can’t I…?”

Reality of Spiritual Warfare

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One of Paul’s most famous sayings is “Fight the good fight of the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12). He told the Ephesians to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11) and prayed that their pastor Timothy would “wage the good warfare.” (1 Timothy 1:18) Careful to note that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but…against the spiritual forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12) and that “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world,” he nonetheless claimed we have “divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Source: Comer, John Mark. Live No Lies (p. xxiii). The Crown Publishing Group.

Fast Facts About The Devil

  1. He is a Created being

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16, ESV)

  • Satan is not Equal with God!
  • Satan is not All-Powerful
  • Satan is not All-Knowing
  1. He was an angel who Fell from heaven due to pride

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12–15, ESV)

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” (Revelation 12:7–9, ESV)

Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and who now continually work evil in the world

  1. He exercises Limited power here on earth during the present time (See Job 1 & 2)

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19, ESV)

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,” (Luke 22:31, ESV)

  1. He is a Defeated foe who will be eternally condemned

and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10, ESV)

  1. In the meantime his agenda is Death (John 8:44)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10, ESV)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, ESV)

  1. His chief weapon is Lies (John 8:44)

Jesus sees our primary war against the devil as a fight to believe truth over lies!

“My point is this: lies distort our souls and drive us into ruin.” 
- John Mark Comer

“Ideas are a primary stronghold of evil in the human self and in society.” 
- Dallas Willard

Engaging The Battle

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”” (John 4:23–24, ESV)

Two Foundational Elements To Becoming Like Jesus:

  • Relationships
  • Reality

“Now we come to a key point: It’s by Spirit and truth that we’re transformed into the image of Jesus, but the reciprocal is also true. It’s by isolation and lies that we’re deformed into the image of the devil.”
- John Mark Comer

Two Foundational Practices:

“The disciplines are embodied practices in a physical world whereby we present ourselves to the immaterial reality of the Spirit/presence and Word/truth of Christ.”
- Steven Porter

  • Quiet Prayer (Solitude and Silence)
  • Scripture

What we set our minds on will shape the person we become and the life we experience!

“As we first turned away from God in our thoughts, so it is in our thoughts that the first movements toward the renovation of the heart occur. Thoughts are the place where we can and must begin to change.”  
- Dallas Willard

Note: Curating these practices is our Responsibility

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1–2, ESV)

Making It Personal

  • What has been my understanding of the devil and spiritual warfare? What needs to be adjusted in light of what the Bible teaches?
  • What specific lies of the devil am I currently believing and living out of? What specific truth from God’s Word will I set my mind on instead?  How will I keep it before me?
  • Which of the foundational elements of becoming more like Jesus do I need more of in my life right now? How will I make room for this in my life?
  • Which of the two foundational practices do I most need to improve my ongoing practice of? How will I implement this in my life?
  • Who can I share these truths with?

other sermons in this series