A Few Thoughts about satan’s Program

As soon as any person believes and trusts Jesus Christ alone for salvation, satan begins his program to destroy that faith.

Truth into doubt

Freedom into slavery

Joy into sorrow

Paul states in 2 Corinthians 2:11 NIV in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

How does he do this?

B1 Manser suggests:

C1 The process of seduction (The outline below Manser’s but I edited it for my blog and added the verse itself).

D1 A thought planted

E1 Genesis 3:2-5 ESV And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 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.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

E2 Matthew 4:3 ESV And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.

E3 James 1:14 ESV But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

E4 1 John 2:15 EMTV Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

D2 An advantage promised

E1 Genesis 3:4-5 NASB77 And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die! “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

E2 Matthew 4:6 NIV If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

D3 Attraction

E1 Genesis 3:6 NIV When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

E2 1 John 2:16 NIV For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

D4 Persistence on the part of the seducer

E1 Matthew 4:8-9 NIV Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me.

E2 Genesis 19:9 NIV Get out of our way," they replied. "This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them." They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.

E3 Judges 16:15-16 NIV Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.

D5 Yielding

E1 Genesis 3:6 NIV When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

E2 James 1:15 NIV Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

B2 The seduction itself comes from satan’s agents—unclean spirits (demons), false teachers, false pastors, false prophets, false people, abusers, etc.

C1 They use false signs to attempt to authenticate their lies. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 EMTV The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

C2 They use false appearance to appear righteous. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 EMTV And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

B3 Some believers, in the Bible, who have been tested

C1 Job is our most complete narrative of this. Satan acts as his own agent plus using other agents to murderer, etc. Satan accuses and lies about Job, makes a false claim, and gets permission to harm Job. The purpose was to destroy Job’s faith, to get him to curse God. Satan did NOT HAVE TO harm Job, but he wanted to.

C2 Satan was his own agent when he tempted the Lord Jesus.

C3 Peter was tempted.

C4 David was tempted.

C5 You and I are tempted.

C6 All this from satan’s agents to get us to weaken or better yet deny the faith.

Why does God allow this?

B1 Testing has an effect. James 1:2-5 ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

B2 Testing has a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

B3 Testing and remaining faithful, with God’s help, has a reward. James 1:12 New Matthew Bible Happy is the man who endures in temptation, for when he is proved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Why me?

B1 Mystery of Iniquity/lawlessness

B2 Some comments and suggestion. It could be

C1 The anti-Christ

C2 satan’s activities

C3 evil

C4 counterfeit Christianity

C5 the purpose and reason of iniquity

B3 Some quotes

C1 Vincent: The mystery of lawlessness is the mass of lawlessness yet hidden, but which is to reveal itself in the person and power of Antichrist. The position of the word is emphatic, emphasizing the concealed character of the evil power.

C2 Hope Bible Church:

The mystery of iniquity that has been working in this world for a long time will culminate after the rapture of the Body of Christ with Satan being manifest in the flesh (the Antichrist). The mystery of iniquity hinders many people from ever seeing the great mystery of the Body of Christ. It is clear from the context in which it is mentioned that the mystery of iniquity has to do with spiritual deception (please read 2 Thessalonians. 2:1-12).

The mystery of iniquity is not open and blatant “lawlessness” (as the modern versions translate it). It is iniquity in the form of RELIGION. It has to do with Satan’s religious system that began with Cain and will climax with the Antichrist of whom Cain was a type. It goes all the way back to Babylon, the fountainhead of all idolatry (Revelation 17:5). Throughout the ages, it shows up in different forms and is always in opposition to what God is doing.

What do we do to stay faithful?

B1 Recognize that it is possible for satan’s agents to ruin us.

B2 Be alert.

B3 TRUTH—know it, believe it, and practice it.

C1 There needs to be a standard of truth.

C2 The Bible is only source that is 100% truth. There are many who have proven so, for example

D1 How Accurate is the Bible?

D2 New Evidence the Gospels were Based on Eyewitness Accounts

D3 Is Bible True (the results of a search at Cold Case Christianity)

C3 We must know the Bible well to know truth from error.

B4 If we succumb—recognize, confess, make things right.

Remember

B1 We have a savior. Philippians 3:20 NKJV For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

B2 We have a helper, the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-17 EMTV And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may abide with you forever, 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, because He abides with you and shall be in you.

B3 We have an armor. See Ephesians 6:10-18.

B4 We have a family. Galatians 6:2 EMTV Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

B5 We have a way out. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

B6 We have promises. Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

Job and His Suffering Part 1

What we can learn about suffering today.

A 4 part series:

B1 Job and his suffering—behind the scenes Job 1:1-

B2 Job and his suffering—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar respond Job 4:1-31:40

B3 Job and his suffering—Elihu responds Job 32:1-37:24

B4 Job and his suffering—God responds Job 38:1-42:17

Some questions answered

B1 Why do good people suffer?

B2 Why does God allow suffering?

B3 Why do friends abuse the victim?

B4 Why

B5 Why it is important to know the truth. Assumption can be dangerous.

A1 Job Part 1—behind the scenes Job 1:1-3:26

B1 Job is blessed. He is blessed spiritually and emotionally, with health, wealth, and wisdom. He is blessed with a good wife, many children, and many friends. He is blessed to know God, have fellowship with God, not physically, but spiritually. He understood about sin, judgment, punishment, and substitution (a sacrifice). He knew the King of the Universe!

C1 Treasure of salvation (deliverance from God’s wrath): Psalm 3:8 CSB Salvation belongs to the LORD; may your blessing be on your people. Selah 

C2 Treasures of material wealth. God does not guarantee material wealth, but all believers can have spiritual wealth.

D1 Proverbs 10:22 NET The blessing from the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow to it. 

D2 Matthew 6:20 CSB "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.

C3 Treasures of having the fear of the Lord (salvation), wisdom, and knowledge: Isaiah 33:6 NLT In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD will be your treasure.

C4 Spiritual treasures from doing the will of God: 2 Corinthians 6:10 NLT Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

C5 Treasures of assurance and the knowledge of Messiah: Colossians 2:2-3 WEL That their hearts may be comforted by being knit together in love and into the all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, into the full knowledge of the mystery of God and of the Father and of Christ 3 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

B2 The devil, satan, having access to heaven slanders Job and blasphemes God’s character by claiming that God has made Job secure and successful and that is the only reason that Job worships and serves God.

B3 Two times satan requests God to curse Job. God refuses but does allow satan to do so.

C1 satan did not have to afflict Job, instigate murder, theft, loss of possessions, etc. satan wanted to do this in his hate for God and for those who serve God.

D1 satan and his followers are liars and murders. Have you ever noted how many people believe the answer to a problem is murder. We see this in abortion to murders at work, at events, at school, at home, etc. John 8:44 NET You people are from your father the devil, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

D2 An evil heart leads to evil thoughts which lead to evil actions: Matthew 15:19 WEL For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. 

D3 satan loves to oppose God’s work and God’s people: Zechariah 3:1 LEB And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Yahweh; and Satan was standing on his right to accuse him.

D4 satan loves to pretend he is god, so shows himself as angel of light, which is deceptive, seductive, and disastrous to anyone. This is why we must know God and His character traits well. His followers also will pretend to be real apostles. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NIV For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

C2 Why did God allow satan the opportunity to hurt Job, kill his family, cause a loss of all his goods?

D1 God did not want this to happen. It was not His decreed will; it was His will.

D2 Evil

E1 Evil is the absence of good.

E2 Evil is a punishment. Adam was warned by God not to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam did not believe God. Because of Adam’s sin, the world was cursed.

E3 Some evils that happen to us are from our bad choices.

E4 Some evils that happen to us are from another’s bad choices.

E5 Some evils that happen to us are from the curse on the universe, as hurricanes, earthquakes, mudslides, etc.

E6 Some evils are because satan hates anything good, so he wants to cause pain and affliction. You can see this very thing in abusers. It doesn’t make any difference what kind of abusers. The abusers may be a pastor (pastoral abuse), domestic abuse of all types, parental abuse, child abuse, etc. Note how narcissists, psychopaths, and others do evil. They are doing the evil that satan loves. If you are an abuser, pastor, spouse, parent, boss, leader, whatever, you are doing satan’s will, and you will go to hell to be tormented for eternity.

D3 God allowed it. Why?

E1 The universe is cursed. A promised time is coming when

F1 Revelation 21:3-5 CSB Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God's dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.  Then the one seated on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new." He also said, "Write, because these words are faithful and true.

F2 2 Peter 3:13 LEB But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.

F3 Revelation 22:3 NIV No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.

E2 God is not a micro-manager as some Calvinists teach. WCF III 1. God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass...  Read the confession. Read it in context. God ordained whatever comes to pass including sending most humans to hell to roast and barbecue for eternity without ever having a chance to repent.

F1 Do words mean anything? Doesn’t God always tell the truth. God says this to the prophet: 1 Chronicles 21:10 NET Go, tell David, 'This is what the LORD says: "I am offering you three forms of judgment from which to choose. Pick one of them.

F2 From a real offer choice that was spurned: Proverbs 1:29-31 NET Because they hated moral knowledge, and did not choose to fear the LORD, they did not comply with my advice, they spurned all my rebuke. Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel.

E3 Sometimes we can look back at a bad choice we made, even after praying for God to help us to not make a wrong choice.

F1 There may have been warning signs that we ignored.

F2 The warning signs were new and unknown to us, so we didn’t recognize them. This is a good reason to be aware.

G1 Warning signs of Abuse

G2 Warning Signs of Subtle Abuse and Manipulation

G3 Some abusers are very subtle. They want to deceive. If one has any gut feeling that all is not good, they should leave the relationship.

G4 Identifying the More Subtle Signs of an Abusive Relationship 

G5 The actions of love, real love as defined by God. How do WE measure? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends...

B4 We must know that Job did not give up the faith. Quite a number of people leave Christianity over abuse, thinking that God could have prevented this. Why didn’t God do this for you or me? I don’t know. But, I do know that if we have a commitment to God, persecution will not cause us to permanently give up the faith.

B5 Please read Job chapter 3, for it shows the utter, total personal experience of spiritual, emotional, and physical pain. His words have been repeated many times throughout history, though most would not recognize.

B6 Pain is real. If you are suffering, find someone who will really listen without interruption, offering unasked advice, and someone who is protective of your character.

B7 Hebrews 10:25 LEB not abandoning our meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging each other, and by so much more as you see the day drawing near. 

B8 Romans 12:15 NET Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 

B9 James 1:19 CSB My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

B10 Proverbs 18:13 GW Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful.

B11 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NET Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

But Satan Hindered Us

But Satan Hindered Us

1 Thessalonians 2:18 WEL Therefore, we would have come to you, even I, Paul, over and over again, but Satan hindered us.

The context shows Satan preventing Paul and his team of evangelists from coming to Thessalonica.

Satan hinders Christians.

He will hinder us from doing God’s will, enjoying God’s peace and joy, knowing the blessings of forgiveness, and confidence in His promises.

We have the potential to be discouraged, troubled, sad, and defeated.

Because satan hinders, we must pray. Prayer should be one of the most important times for our worship whether in church with other believers or by ourself in the field.

Pray will not manipulate God, but it is our worship of thanksgiving for God’s blessings, supporting our fellow believers in trials, asking for wisdom in our everyday issues, and mentioning our sorrows.

We will be hindered, but we can pray.

So pray today for others then yourself. Life is rough.

Stay on Track

Theme: Practical Christian Living

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Objectives:

Know: The Thessalonian Christians were new believers learning how to live for God. Paul gave them some practical advice we also can use to help us live for Christ.

Think: Live with the mindset that God’s Word guides all we do.

Do: Put the practical truths of Scripture into practice each day.

Notes and questions:

B1 How do we continue to live a Christian life?

B2 The work of satan towards the Christian and the deliverance of Jesus for us. I want to include this, because God’s rules are good. Satan wants us to think they are not good and uses many ways to convince us.

C1 Satan

D1 Pretends to love and promise pleasures.

D2 Seduces

D3 Lies (John 8:44)

D4 Murders (John 8:44)

D5 Harassment

D6 Destroys

D7 Brings back bad memories

D8 Pretends to be God (so God will get the blame)

D9 Bullies

D10 Tries to thwart God’s will

D11 Twists the Scriptures (Matthew 4:6 where he does not quote the entire passage. See Psalm 91:11-13).

D12 Gives false promises of power and success

D13 Gives the impression that there is no devil and no hell

D14 Encourages false gospel (A false Jesus and that works are necessary)

D15 Inspires others to hate, persecute, and kill Jews and Christians.

D16 Hinders and oppresses (Zechariah 3:1 and 1 Thessalonians 2:18)

D17 Hinders the Gospel (Matthew 13:19 and 2 Corinthians 4:4)

D18 Does imitation miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9 and Revelation 16:14)

D19 Comes as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)

D20 Lusts and inspires lust in others (John 8:44)

D21 Possesses people to do his will (Luke 22:3)

D22 Deceives (Revelation 20:7-8)

D23 Enslaves (1 Timothy 3:7 and 2 Timothy 2:26)

D24 Hates

C2 Jesus

D1 Loves us (John 16:27 and Hebrews 12:6)

D2 Came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8)

D3 And many other things, for example, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;  (Luke 4:18, NKJV)

B3 We have in this passage a short list of rules for the Christian

C1 Respect leaders of the church

D1 How do we show respect to the leaders of the church?

D2 Are we to automatically accept what they teach?

C2 Be at peace with each other

D1 What is peace?

D2 How can we be at peace with each and every person?

C3 Warn the unruly (rebellious)

D1 What attitude are we to have when we rebuke?

D2 Is this only for pastors to do?

C4 Comfort the discouraged

D1 Why do people get discouraged?

D2 Name some ways we can help.

C5 Strengthen the weak

D1 Who are the weak?

D2 How do we strengthen them?

C6 Be patient

D1 How can we learn to be patient?

D2 When do we stop being patient?

C7 Do not avenge

D1 Why is it wrong to seek vengeance?

D2 Are we to be total pacifists?

C8 Seek good

D1 What is good?

D2 How do we seek for it?

C9 Always rejoice

D1 Are we to rejoice in tragedy?

D2 Compare 1 Thessalonians 3:2-4 and 2 Corinthians 12:10

C10 Continuously pray

D1 Why do we pray?

D2 Is this only a ritual?

C11 Always give thanks

D1 Does God NEED thanks? Does God need anything?

D2 Do we like being thanked?

C12 Do not quench the Spirit

D1 How does a person quench the Spirit?

D2 When I was a young man in my late teens, my pastor Dr David Otis Fuller was preaching. He told the story of a man who was under conviction for his sin. This man wanted to talk to Dr Fuller, but a Christian standing next to him, prevented him from doing that. Dr Fuller then stated that he conducted the funeral of that Christian that very week. The man who had quenched the Spirit died. Of course, death is not always the penalty but does show the seriousness of quenching the Spirit.

C13 Do not despise prophecies

D1 Prophet

E1 Tells about future. Jesus did (Mark 8:31). Agabus did (Acts 21:10-11). John the Apostle did (Revelation 1:11). Also Acts 3:18 and 1 Peter 1:11

E2 Receives a message from God and carries it to the person(s) that God designated. Among many examples, there are Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-15),  Isaiah (2 Kings 19:6-7), and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:17). There were many others as 2 Chronicles 36:15 and Jeremiah 35:15.

E3 Receives knowledge from God that is unknown by others as Peter (Acts 5:1-6) and Jesus (John 6:70).

E4 Is carried along by the Holy Spirit. This means the Holy Spirit gives them a message which they carry (bring, speak) to people. The Holy Spirit gave a message which they carried to the people. The Greek word is usually translated bring with the idea of carrying and is understood in various ways.

D2 Are there still prophets today?

C14 Test, examine, everything

D1 Are we to judge?

D2 How do we judge?

D3 What is the standard?

E1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Matthew 7:1-2, NKJV)

E2 In a different translation, “Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others. (Matthew 7:1-2, GNB92)

C15 Hold on to what is good

D1 What is good?

D2 Is all change wrong?

D3 What is this verse speaking of?

C16 Abstain from evil

D1 How do we define evil?

E1 The word evil is not the word for something bad.

E2 It is the word for . Strong’s has this note: (properly) in effect or influence, and thus differing from G2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from G4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue. G2556 deals with the character of something, thus murder is bad, lying is bad, etc. G4550 deals with a change as fruit becomes rotten. This word (G4190) deals more with the effects of something. Prophecy is something good, but fake/false prophecy is evil in its effects.

D2 Why is evil wrong?

B4 Prayer

C1 For believers: Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, NKJV)

C2 For the Apostle and his team: Brethren, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:25, NKJV)

B5 Last words

C1 Greet all the believers.

C2 Read this letter

C3 May God’s grace be with you

B6 Next week:

C1 Future-Proof Faith

C2 Theme: Enduring in truth

C3 Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17