March 22, 2009
Key Passage: Isaiah 14:12-15
“We Live in a Fallen World…”
…well, duh! I realize that may be the understatement of the year; however, if you’re like me, you may be getting to the point where you really can’t take much more. Between the economy, the never-ending parade of horrendous storylines (“Father who threw his four children off the bridge convicted”), and the continuous onslaught of media filth (quick…how many R-rated movies has Seth Rogen been in this past year? Answer… 8!) – well, let’s just say Satan is alive and well. For the time being. Fortunately, we know how history ends, and it’s not good for one Mr. Morning Star – or his buddies. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean you and I aren’t knee deep in a spiritual war that’s just simply brutal. As we look at two passages in the Old Testament today (Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19) I’d like you to keep one very key element in mind: those who followed Lucifer out of Heaven (1/3 of the angels) will never have a shot at redemption, and even they admit they were deceived. With the grace and redemption that’s so freely offered to us through the blood of Christ, how much longer will we throw that gift back in his face by allowing Satan to deceive us through miserable marriages, horrible parent-child relationships, and lifestyles that run completely counter to the call of Christ?!? It IS a fallen world…how about we live like we’re serving a risen, victorious Savior?
- Truths about Satan (based on Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28 and other passages):
1. Though Satan was the highest and most beautiful of the arc angels, he is a CREATED being!
2. As the highest in the order, he actually guarded the throne of God and called out in worship.
3. Though he and the demons certainly have influence over our thoughts (and subsequent actions), he cannot read our minds. He is NOT omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent, or omnipotent.
4. Because of his beauty, he is an angel of light – and this is how he most often presents himself – especially when it comes to religion. Satan is the epitome of “religion,” devoid of Christ!
5. Satan’s fall is tied to his desire to be a god..his pride..notice the 5 “I will’s” in Isaiah 14:13-14.
- Tactics Satan uses to deceive unbelievers into hell and believers into disobedience:
1. He attempts to impugn (disparage / deny) God’s character.
2. He tries to undermine present victory by generating trouble that makes life difficult (see #1).
3. He attacks believers through doctrinal confusion and falsehood.
4. He attacks God’s warriors by hindering / discouraging their service to Him.
5. He attacks churches by causing division / discord.
6. He convinces all to trust their own resources, to attempt life based on “our own power.”
7. He attacks believers by leading them into hypocrisy … filling churches with disobedience.
8. He deceives believers by leading them into worldliness and material prosperity / contentment.
9. Above all, he attacks believers by leading them to disobey God’s Word.
Q: Can God-given abilities and attributes become a temptation to focus on self? List some gifts you’ve been given that could become a temptation to pride…
Q: When encountering life’s troubles, how do you know when Satan is involved, or when life is just difficult?
Q: If all that God created is “good” (Genesis 1:31), how in the world did Satan and the demons first sin?
Bottom Line: Consider this: there came a time when despite all his beauty, status, and glory, Satan departed from the heart of God by wanting to exalt himself above what was rightly his; conversely, the heart of our Savior says, “The status of equality with God is not something to hang on to. I’ll let it go. I’ll give up my rightful place of honor, my reputation, and will become a servant – living humbly among men. I’ll even die an excruciating and humiliating death on a tree.” (Philippians 2:5-8…Garnett translation). Keep that in mind the next time you’re tempted to start squawking about your “rights,” or “what you do/don’t deserve.” Think about how victorious our marriages and parent-child relationships would be if we chose the victory and example of Christ over the deceit of Satan. “Father, make us more like your Son and daily deliver us…”
