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Mountain Springs Fellowship Baptist Church
Carry the Light: The Wiles of the Devil
Sunday Morning Worship Service * August 6, 2017 * 11 AM
Locations & Times
Mountain Springs Baptist Church
10110 Constitution Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112, USA
Sunday 11:00 AM
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
REVIEW
The conduct of a true Christian, one who is genuinely “born again,” is the outcome of a doctrinal foundation. We are “living out our faith,” and our testimony indicates the quality of it, be it good or bad.
As I believe, therefore I live.
We need to believe that spiritual warfare is real, face it, fight it, and live victoriously!
The conduct of a true Christian, one who is genuinely “born again,” is the outcome of a doctrinal foundation. We are “living out our faith,” and our testimony indicates the quality of it, be it good or bad.
As I believe, therefore I live.
We need to believe that spiritual warfare is real, face it, fight it, and live victoriously!
It is personal and it is dangerous! Here is a quick review of last week:
I. THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
A. The Clarification of the War, 10:3
B. The Classification of our Weaponry, 10:4
C. The Certification of our Warfare, 10:5
II. THE REASON FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE
A. We have an adversary in Satan
B. We are to have an aversion against Satan
* We are in the battle of a lifetime, and we are to fight!
C. We have an armory to withstand Satan
I. THE REALITY OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
A. The Clarification of the War, 10:3
B. The Classification of our Weaponry, 10:4
C. The Certification of our Warfare, 10:5
II. THE REASON FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE
A. We have an adversary in Satan
B. We are to have an aversion against Satan
* We are in the battle of a lifetime, and we are to fight!
C. We have an armory to withstand Satan
INTRODUCTION
Two weeks ago we began a new series about our personal conduct regarding spiritual warfare. Whether or not we want to be involved in such spiritual conflict, it is inevitable for a believer.
We began by considering the reality of spiritual warfare, and last week we looked at the reason for spiritual warfare.
This morning, we will look at some of the “wiles” of the devil. To be better prepared to face spiritual warfare, we need to know something about our enemy’s tactics.
Over 2600 years ago, Sun Tzu penned The Art of War, which is still read by CIA operatives, soldiers and students of warfare.
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3200649-s-nzi-b-ngf
There are only two verses in the Bible where the word wiles is used:
Num. 25:18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
wile
1. A trick,artifice,or stratagem meant to fool, trap, or entice; device.
2. Wiles,artful or beguiling behavior.
3. Deceitful cunning;trickery.
4. To beguile, entice, or lure (usually followed by away, from, into, etc.):
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/wiles?s=t
ruse
1. A trick, stratagem, or artifice.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ruse?s=t
Two weeks ago we began a new series about our personal conduct regarding spiritual warfare. Whether or not we want to be involved in such spiritual conflict, it is inevitable for a believer.
We began by considering the reality of spiritual warfare, and last week we looked at the reason for spiritual warfare.
This morning, we will look at some of the “wiles” of the devil. To be better prepared to face spiritual warfare, we need to know something about our enemy’s tactics.
Over 2600 years ago, Sun Tzu penned The Art of War, which is still read by CIA operatives, soldiers and students of warfare.
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3200649-s-nzi-b-ngf
There are only two verses in the Bible where the word wiles is used:
Num. 25:18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
wile
1. A trick,artifice,or stratagem meant to fool, trap, or entice; device.
2. Wiles,artful or beguiling behavior.
3. Deceitful cunning;trickery.
4. To beguile, entice, or lure (usually followed by away, from, into, etc.):
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/wiles?s=t
ruse
1. A trick, stratagem, or artifice.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ruse?s=t
III. THE RUSE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
A. The Source of our Confidence, Eph 6:10
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
* The KEY to engaging spiritual warfare is to realize the source of our strength.
* If we truly realize the essence and quality of such strength, we will have confidence to battle courageously.
Psa. 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Job 22:21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
Original Word: ἐνδυναμόω
Transliteration: endunamoó
Definition: I fill with power, strengthen, make strong.
endynamóō (from en "in," which intensifies dynamóō, "sharing power-ability") – properly, to impart ability (make able); empowered.
http://biblehub.com/greek/1743.htm
Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 Tim. 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
2 Tim. 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Heb. 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Original Word: κράτος
Transliteration: kratos
Definition: dominion, strength, power; a mighty deed.
krátos (from a root meaning "to perfect, complete," so Curtius, Thayer) – properly, dominion, exerted power.
http://biblehub.com/greek/2904.htm
Eph. 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Col. 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Rev. 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
krataióō (from krátos) – to prevail by God's dominating strength, i.e. as His power prevails over opposition (gains mastery). (For the believer, krataióō ("attain mastery, the upper-hand") operates by the Lord in-working faith.
http://biblehub.com/greek/2901.htm
1 Cor. 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Eph. 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Original Word: ἰσχύς
Transliteration: ischus
Definition: strength (absolutely), power, might, force, ability.
isxýs (from the Gk root is, "force" and exō, "have") – properly, force to overcoming immediate resistance.
http://biblehub.com/greek/2479.htm
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Eph. 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
* The KEY to engaging spiritual warfare is to realize the source of our strength.
* If we truly realize the essence and quality of such strength, we will have confidence to battle courageously.
Psa. 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Job 22:21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
Original Word: ἐνδυναμόω
Transliteration: endunamoó
Definition: I fill with power, strengthen, make strong.
endynamóō (from en "in," which intensifies dynamóō, "sharing power-ability") – properly, to impart ability (make able); empowered.
http://biblehub.com/greek/1743.htm
Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 Tim. 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
2 Tim. 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Heb. 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Original Word: κράτος
Transliteration: kratos
Definition: dominion, strength, power; a mighty deed.
krátos (from a root meaning "to perfect, complete," so Curtius, Thayer) – properly, dominion, exerted power.
http://biblehub.com/greek/2904.htm
Eph. 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Col. 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Rev. 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
krataióō (from krátos) – to prevail by God's dominating strength, i.e. as His power prevails over opposition (gains mastery). (For the believer, krataióō ("attain mastery, the upper-hand") operates by the Lord in-working faith.
http://biblehub.com/greek/2901.htm
1 Cor. 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Eph. 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph. 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Original Word: ἰσχύς
Transliteration: ischus
Definition: strength (absolutely), power, might, force, ability.
isxýs (from the Gk root is, "force" and exō, "have") – properly, force to overcoming immediate resistance.
http://biblehub.com/greek/2479.htm
Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Eph. 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
B. The Schemes Inflaming our Conflict, Eph. 6:11
Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
1. The Preparation, Eph 6:11a "Put on the whole armour of God..."
Original Word: πανοπλία
Transliteration: panoplia
Definition: complete armor, panoply.
panoplía (from pás, "every" and hóplon, "weapon") – properly, a complete set of defensive and offensive armor (weapons), i.e. everything needed to wage successful warfare; (figuratively) the full resources the Lord gives to the believer so they can successfully wage spiritual warfare. In this way they do not fight for victory – but from His victory!
http://biblehub.com/greek/3833.htm
* Soldiers need provisions necessary to engage in combat.
* The spiritual warrior has all the provisions needed in order to engage and defeat the enemy!
* The provisions are worthless is they are not utilized or used properly.
* The spiritual warrior must know and properly implement what God has provided.
Original Word: πανοπλία
Transliteration: panoplia
Definition: complete armor, panoply.
panoplía (from pás, "every" and hóplon, "weapon") – properly, a complete set of defensive and offensive armor (weapons), i.e. everything needed to wage successful warfare; (figuratively) the full resources the Lord gives to the believer so they can successfully wage spiritual warfare. In this way they do not fight for victory – but from His victory!
http://biblehub.com/greek/3833.htm
* Soldiers need provisions necessary to engage in combat.
* The spiritual warrior has all the provisions needed in order to engage and defeat the enemy!
* The provisions are worthless is they are not utilized or used properly.
* The spiritual warrior must know and properly implement what God has provided.
2. The Purpose, Eph 6:11b "...that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
Original Word: μεθοδεία
Transliteration: methodeia
Definition: (a way of search after something, an inquiry; a method), scheming, craftiness, deceit.
methodeía (the root of the English term, "method") – properly, a predictable (pre-set) method used in organized evil-doing (well-crafted trickery). http://biblehub.com/greek/3180.htm
* The idea is to adapt hunting techniques for successful taking of the prey.
Original Word: μεθοδεία
Transliteration: methodeia
Definition: (a way of search after something, an inquiry; a method), scheming, craftiness, deceit.
methodeía (the root of the English term, "method") – properly, a predictable (pre-set) method used in organized evil-doing (well-crafted trickery). http://biblehub.com/greek/3180.htm
* The idea is to adapt hunting techniques for successful taking of the prey.
Note the wiles of the devil as he subtly attacked Eve:
Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ...
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
* The first "wile" is DOUBT
Doubt – “Yea, hath God said…4 Ye shall not surely die:”
Mt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Rom. 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ...
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
* The first "wile" is DOUBT
Doubt – “Yea, hath God said…4 Ye shall not surely die:”
Mt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Rom. 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
* The second "wile" is DISOBEDIENCE
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Rom. 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
2 Co. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Eph. 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Doubt – Disobedience…
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Rom. 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
2 Co. 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Eph. 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Doubt – Disobedience…
* The third "wile" is DECEIT
1 Tim. 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Rev. 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Mt. 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
2 Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Doubt – Disobedience – Deceit
1 Tim. 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
Rev. 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Mt. 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
2 Cor. 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Doubt – Disobedience – Deceit
CONCLUSION
Eph. 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Going back no further than the times of the founding and early development of our country, we are able to see the wide gulf between our modern attitudes and those of our fathers. In the early days, when Christianity exercised a dominant influence over American thinking, men conceived the world to be a battleground. Our fathers believed in sin and the devil and hell as constituting one force, and they believed in God and righteousness and heaven as the other. By their very nature, these forces were opposed to each other forever in deep, grave, irreconcilable hostility. Man, our fathers held, had to choose sides – he could not be neutral. For him it must be life or death, heaven or hell, and if he chooses to come out on God's side, he could expect open war with God's enemies. The fight would be real and deadly and would last as long as life continued here below. Men looked forward to heaven as a return from the wars, a laying down of the sword to enjoy in peace the home prepared for them.
How different today. The fact remains the same, but the interpretation has changed completely. Men think of the world not as a battleground, but as a playground. We are not here to fight; we are here to frolic. We are not in a foreign land; we are at home. We are not getting ready to live, but we are already living, and the best we can do is rid ourselves of our inhibitions and our frustrations and live this life to the full. This, we believe, is a fair summary of the religious philosophy of modern man, openly professed by millions and tacitly held by many more millions who live out that philosophy without having given it verbal expression.
Article taken from the book "This World: Playground or Battleground?” Chapter 1
Eph. 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Going back no further than the times of the founding and early development of our country, we are able to see the wide gulf between our modern attitudes and those of our fathers. In the early days, when Christianity exercised a dominant influence over American thinking, men conceived the world to be a battleground. Our fathers believed in sin and the devil and hell as constituting one force, and they believed in God and righteousness and heaven as the other. By their very nature, these forces were opposed to each other forever in deep, grave, irreconcilable hostility. Man, our fathers held, had to choose sides – he could not be neutral. For him it must be life or death, heaven or hell, and if he chooses to come out on God's side, he could expect open war with God's enemies. The fight would be real and deadly and would last as long as life continued here below. Men looked forward to heaven as a return from the wars, a laying down of the sword to enjoy in peace the home prepared for them.
How different today. The fact remains the same, but the interpretation has changed completely. Men think of the world not as a battleground, but as a playground. We are not here to fight; we are here to frolic. We are not in a foreign land; we are at home. We are not getting ready to live, but we are already living, and the best we can do is rid ourselves of our inhibitions and our frustrations and live this life to the full. This, we believe, is a fair summary of the religious philosophy of modern man, openly professed by millions and tacitly held by many more millions who live out that philosophy without having given it verbal expression.
Article taken from the book "This World: Playground or Battleground?” Chapter 1
David Jeremiah listed the following as how “wiles” of the devil affects our lives:
1. Keep them busy with non-essentials.
2. Tempt them to over spend and go into debt.
3. Make them work long hours to maintain empty lifestyles.
4. Discourage them from spending family time, for when homes disintegrate there is no refuge from work.
5. Overstimulate their minds with television and computer, so they cannot hear God speaking to them.
6. Fill their coffee tables with newspapers and magazines, so they have no time to read the Bible.
7. Flood their mailboxes with sweepstakes and promotions, get rich schemes, keep them chasing material things.
8. Put glamorous models on tv and magazine covers to keep them focused on outward appearances, that way they’ll be dissatisfied with themselves and their mates.
9. Make sure couples are too exhausted for physical intimacy, that way they’ll be tempted to look elsewhere.
10. Emphasize Santa and the Easter bunny that way they are diverted from the real meaning of the holidays.
11. Involve them in good causes so they won’t have time for eternal causes.
12. Make them self sufficient, keep them working in their own strength so they will never know the joy of God’s Power working through them.
https://nuggets4u.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/satans-strategy-to-defeat-christians/
2 Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
1. Keep them busy with non-essentials.
2. Tempt them to over spend and go into debt.
3. Make them work long hours to maintain empty lifestyles.
4. Discourage them from spending family time, for when homes disintegrate there is no refuge from work.
5. Overstimulate their minds with television and computer, so they cannot hear God speaking to them.
6. Fill their coffee tables with newspapers and magazines, so they have no time to read the Bible.
7. Flood their mailboxes with sweepstakes and promotions, get rich schemes, keep them chasing material things.
8. Put glamorous models on tv and magazine covers to keep them focused on outward appearances, that way they’ll be dissatisfied with themselves and their mates.
9. Make sure couples are too exhausted for physical intimacy, that way they’ll be tempted to look elsewhere.
10. Emphasize Santa and the Easter bunny that way they are diverted from the real meaning of the holidays.
11. Involve them in good causes so they won’t have time for eternal causes.
12. Make them self sufficient, keep them working in their own strength so they will never know the joy of God’s Power working through them.
https://nuggets4u.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/satans-strategy-to-defeat-christians/
2 Cor. 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.