Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The LORD God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”—Genesis 3:1–15 

Introduction

This sermon has two main parts: a villain and our victor. I want you to know that from the beginning so that as you listen to this and are sobered by Satan, you will be reassured if you are a believer, or you will repent and claim victory over our spiritual enemy if you are not a believer.

“Resist the Devil and He will flee from you” (James 4:7). Might we learn about how to resist. Let us be a people who are resisting, repenting, and righteous by the blood Christ. 

With regards to Satan I have always lived with the assumption that Satan wouldn’t spend his time on me when my flesh, my sin, and this world are enough to take me down. Basically, I though that he must have bigger fish to fry.

While this assumption is a little bit of an arrogance check, I’m not so sure how biblically accurate it is. I’m not sure it does the necessary justice to making me aware of and sobered by the enemy working in this world. In light of what we know from Genesis 3 and Matthew 4, Satan will probably come for me too. Whether it’s directly (like in Job’s case) or indirectly (like in Paul’s ailment caused by a messenger from Satan) we know that Satan––though defeated—is not completely destroyed. If 1 Peter 2:9 is any indication, he is very active.

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.—1 Peter 2:9 

The enemy is there, but I’m not sure we always identify him correctly. So, with a desire for us to be biblically accurate and aware and not make false assumptions, let me put before you two realities to set up our time this morning.

First, we need to know that Satan is on the loose. He’s on a leash, but he is running free (Ephesians 2:1–3). I wish we could have an accurate view of reality here. We see it in Daniel 10:13, where the angel delayed in coming to Daniel because he was withstanding Satan for 21 days. We see it in Job, We see it in 1 Chronicles 19:1, when Satan incited David to make a very prideful and sinful decision. And this is just from the Old Testament.

Second, we need to know that believers have a target on their chest. Satan is not at war with God—Satan already lost that fight. Now he passively fights with unbelievers by just keeping them blinded (2 Corinthians 4:4). He also actively fights with believers.

So, the question is how acquainted are you with this enemy? Any decent athletes, soldiers, or coaches are aware of the others side’s plays, moves, and strategies because this helps them better defend themselves and exploit their opponents. This is how it is in war and sport, but what about Christianity?

Let’s look at a couple of verses designed to sober us and not allow us to gloss over this enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to “be sober-minded; be watchful.” We’re not to be foolish, flippant, or naïve, but how much attention should we give him?

There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors.—C.S. Lewis

We can fall out in two arenas: we can not believe he exists, or we can develop an unhealthy fascination. Instead, we need to keep your focus on Jesus but keep the devil in our peripheral vision. 

so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.—2 Corinthians 2:11

Put on the armor of God, so that you may stand against the schemes of Satan.—Ephesians 6:11

So, let’s take some time to be sobered. C.S. Lewis has a good quote that illuminates the tailspin that our world is in. And it began with an exchange—an exchange from the God to the “me god.”

What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could “be like gods”—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves . . . invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.—C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

This devolution of our world into moral decay was the direct consequence of the Enemy. Up until then everything has been perfect. He was there when it happened. Sure, he is limited in time and space, but he is not a lame-duck enemy. He will go down fighting. I just don’t always want to assume that things are just the effectsof the depravity when it could in fact be the Enemy himself—especially when it comes to things like genocides or persecution that seem beyond humanity, things like marriage issues or adultery that seek to destroy the image of the gospel in family, or things like gender issues that seek to make the Creator under the creature. I am not advocating that we see Satan under every rock, but I am advocating that you give him a little more credit. He’s not everywhere, but he is always somewhere. While he is limited in presence, he has a large personnel. 

Looking back at Genesis 3, we see that Satan has made the world a train wreck. Until this point, there was never fear or hiding from or lack of safety in God. There was never distrust or doubt of God. There was never shame, embarrassment, or self–absorption until now. There was never blame-shifting or judgment curses given by God until this point, and there was never a loss of God’s continual presence. Now we have all of those things.

Why? Because Satan is on the loose, and believers have a target on their chest. I cannot think of a more dreadful reality than to have someone turn my children against me, to put the family at odds—to make them enemies.  Satan has manipulated and so deceived the world into believing that their daddy is against them. It starts with Adam and Eve in the garden and moves to Cain and Abel, then Jacob and Esau, and all the way to Jesus’s family.

One of the ways we see the Enemy most active is within family and marriage. He wants to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) your marriage, family, and your relationships with your larger Christian family. And he does it. He has raped and pillaged his way through families, and we righteously hate him for it.

Do you realize there is only one being in this universe that we are not called to love? We are called to love our enemies, but not to love The Enemy. We are to pray for our enemies and hope that they come unto Jesus. Everyone else we hope will turn, repent, and live, but not Satan. We want him to be cast into the lake of eternal torment to perish forever. That is how serious Satan is—so serious that no grace is reserved for him.

While there are indirect consequences of Satan’s existence, we are asking today what actions the Bible says he is more directly behind, attributed to, or when other’s actions are compared to him by Biblical writers. This way, we can be sobered to and informed of his ways and scheming so that we will not be outwitted by him.

1. S. Lewis says, “You want to see Satan, you will, but the bigger question [is]. . . will you like it or not when you do?” Oh, that we would not like it.

I am hoping you will see that Satan is also a fisherman, but he uses artificial bait. Every time there is a hidden hook ready to cut it way to your heart. He does intend to throw fish back, and he does not live by quotas. He loves fish fries. This is not a hobby for him—it’s his death wish. 

Let’s fly over these references and be reminded that Satan may be the one holding the fishing pole more often than we think.

When people “depart from the faith,” it can be “by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4: 1–3). It’s a “snare of the devil” when unbelievers cannot come to their senses (2 Timothy 2:26). When elders “become puffed up with conceit,” they “fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6–7).

Paul writes of direct links between Satan and immorality when warning married couples of adultery (1 Corinthians 7:5). Elmyas was called “the son of the devil” for “seeking to turn the Roman proconsul from the faith” (Acts 13:10). Peter says that Ananias’ greed in holding back money from the church existed because “Satan has filled his heart to lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3).

Ephesians 4:27 says that Satan uses anger “as opportunity.” Revelation 2:10 attributes persecution and imprisonment to the devil. When gospel plans are hindered, Paul attributed it to Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Luke 22:13 describes when Satan entered Judas.

It is often easy to see a Judas but miss a devil. Remember, he is prowling in the shadows like a lion that hunts in the night and seeking to devour you. He came to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

But praise our God that this verse does not end with these words, just as this sermon does not end with sobered by Satan. That’s enough of the villain, how about the victor? We stand in Jesus Christ who came that we may have life and have it abundantly.

Christ

Christ came so that the beginning of John 10:10 would not happen to you, so that Satan would not steal from you, but from Him. So that Satan would not kill you, but would kill him. So that Satan would destroy Him instead of destroying you. He took all that Satan had and crushed Satan’s head at the cross.

Here is his crushing. Satan was cast from Heaven, but “he did not refute.” He was cursed at Creation, but “he did not disagree.” He was defeated in the Temptations of Christ, but “he did not stay around” (Matthew 4:11). He was defanged at the Cross, and “death was destroyed.” His weapon was used against him, and “he was made weaponless.” He will be destroyed at the end of this age, and he will “jump out of the lake of fire.” 

What you see in every one of these judgments is complete and utter submission. Our God’s will is incontestable and never up for discussion. It is incredibly powerful to know that our enemy must do what our God says. He cannot not obey. It is impossible for him not to obey and bow.

So what is behind us in this spiritual fight?

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.—1 Corinthians 10:13

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.—Hebrews 4:15

We can stand In Christ because He has extinguished all the flaming darts of the evil one. The fight has been fought. The war is won, but the battle continues. The fight is over—we just need to claim it.Our fight is to focus on the past and the future rather than just focusing on the present. That is precisely how Satan wants to delude us—into thinking it’s somehow not over. The fight has been fought, and the victory has been forged in eternity. That will never change. There is a little time left on the clock, but the end is inevitable. But that does not mean that Satan will go down easy, or without a fight, tricks, mouthing off, and late hits.

The fight was fought at the Cross and will be finished at the Consummation of the Ages. Yes, there is a villain, but the key to victory is fast-forwarding the cross into the present and rewinding the Consummation of the ages into the present. We fight with our head on a swivel. 

We also need to acknowledge the authority of Christ. It’s not our fight.

When the disciples say, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” Jesus replies, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:17-18). Demons know the name of Jesus—so much show that He has to quiet them for fear they would reveal him (Mark 3:11). They believe and shudder (James 2:19).

Demon-possessed people fall the ground in the presence of Jesus, saying, “don’t torture me” or “what would you have with me? (Mark 5:7). They beg him to send them into the pigs (Mark 5:10). The word beg refers to when your enemy begs and kneels at your feet. 

There are times when the “disciples cannot cast out” (Mark 9:28) the demon, which makes this point precisely. Only Jesus has the authority. 

But let’s not lose the last verse of Luke 10 passage (v. 20).

Salvation of Christ

The best defense is a good offense.So is this mainly an offensive or defensive battle? The answer is yes, but I want to use an old coaching adage to make a point. Most coaches say, “The best defense is a good offense.” And when it comes to Christianity, I think this really holds water. The only reason we have a defense (the armor of Christ) is because our offensive weapon (Jesus) purchased it for us when he squashed the serpent at Calvary. All our armor is the result of his offensive action. He is proactive, not reactive.

See how these gospel passages underscore Christ’s conquered territory—reclaiming or taking them back from Satan.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.—Colossians 2:11–13

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.—Colossians 1:13–14

that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.—Ephesians 1:20–23 

Not only has Jesus retaken territory, but he has sabotaged Satan’s weaponry by making his death bomb a total dud.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.—Hebrews 2:14–16 

Position in Christ

In Christ, we fight from the high ground. It’s hardly ever preferable to fight from the ground; it’s almost always advantageous to fight standing so that you are higher. This helps you to exert leverage over your opponent. The high ground is the power position. It’s hard to lose ground when you are on top.

You can live and fight from the mountain of righteousness, love, grace, adoption, and confidence, or you can fight from the valley of despair, guilt, shame, condemnation, hopelessness, and defeat. As a believer, it is sin to fight from that second position. We are not a surrendered people. We are a standing people who fight toe-to-toe with an enemy. God has “made you alive in Christ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:5–6).

Family of Christ

How do we get to communion? I think we get to communion the same way we go to battle: together, as family. A similarity exist with respect to whom we fight with and whom we eat with. We do not eat alone, and we never fight alone. We fight and eat the same way: as family.

Christianity is not a individual sport. It’s a team sport. And no matter who wins the game, it counts as victory for everyone on the team. So when we were down in the bottom of the ninth with two out with Jesus up to the plate, his game-winning home run counts for us all. And if you were anything like me growing up, a big win results in a big meal. What do you do during that meal? Rewinding, recounting, and replaying the storyline of victory.

That is precisely what we are doing at communion. These are the rules for participating: You must be on the team. You must admit that defeat was inevitable if it weren’t for Christ. We don’t eat alone. I will lead us in taking the elements together to demonstrate oneness. If you are not presently trusting in the Victor, you can do so now before the plates pass and enjoy your celebration meal with us.

 

Discussion Questions

• How does Satan “scheme” you?
• Which Application Statement speaks most directly to your situation and the schemes of the enemy in your life?
• In the Scripture Index Sheet, which section most applies to your current battles?