Central Thought: Victory is assured in the Lord Jesus Christ
Hymn: Christian seek not yet repose
Text: John 8:44, Matthew 4:1-11, James 4:7-8
Introduction:
The devil is the arch-enemy of God and man. He is a created spirit being who was initially well- favored by God, but lost out due to pride and rebellion against God. Ever since he lost his position with God, he has used both direct and subtle means to attack anything related to God. Lying and deception are his traits, and in doing this, he has his own synagogue, ministers and doctrines, often times, carefully packaged to attract the gullible and to appear divine.
Matthew 4:1-11 presents the encounter of our Lord Jesus Christ with this same devil. Three harmless looking temptations were carefully packaged and presented to our Lord. None of them is as a direct invitation to sin. But they were primed to promote divine disobedience, self-will, and self-pleasure, and an ungodly shortcut to break through. Satan has been in the business of presenting quick alternatives to man and this has brought a lot of agony to the same man. Examples include Adam and Eve on the issue of the forbidden fruit, Abraham on the issues of delayed childbirth, Jacob on the issue of birthright, and Moses on the issue of water from the rock.
In the context of this study, a device is an invention, contrivance or strategy designed to deceive and thereby control another. In this study we shall expose some of the devices of the devil and will suggest ways we could tackle them.
Lesson Objectives:
- To explain the expression “Devices of the devil”
- To identify both direct and subtle devices of the devil
- To list the scriptural prescriptions against the devices of the devil
- To discuss the scriptural basis for overcoming the devil and his devices
Question 1.) Explain the term “Devices of the devil”.
The devil was a chief cherub with God (Ezekiel 28:12-17); Isaiah 14:12-17). By creation, he was extremely beautiful, very wise, and occupied a position of rare privilege in the kingdom of God. He became arrogant, proud and corrupted to the extent that he led a rebellion against God. His rebellion was defeated by angels loyal to God, led by another arch-cherub called Michael. He was cast out of heaven, and has since then terrorized the earth with all evil devices.
The devices of the devil refer to all crafty strategies or inventions of the devil targeted at the human race, and intended to cause a breach in cordial relationship with God. It includes all inventions that promote rebellion against godliness through direct confrontation, subtle misrepresentation or ordinance of man.
Question 2.) List and explain some of the devices of the devil
John 8:44; 13:2; Hebrews 10:25; James 3:14-15; 1 Corinthians 7:5.
The devices of the devil can be classified into two broad groups for easy understanding. These are the direct devices and the subtle devices.
- Direct devices. Galatians 5:19-21; 1 John 2:15-17
Every sin and every plain contradiction of the Holy Scripture, the Word of God, is a direct device of the devil (1 John 3:8). There is no assumption about their intention. They are out to confront and suppress fellowship and Godly order. These are evils, universally recognized as evil by every sane conscience. In this group we have the following devices:
- Telling of lies and dishonest conduct.
- Immorality (fornication, adultery, uncleanness)
- Covetousness, greed and stealing
- Murder, violence, anger
- Idolatry, witchcraft, divination
- Slanders, backbiting, and false alarm
- Envy, hatred, jealousy
- Perverse sexual behavior (homosexualism, lesbianism and bestiality)
- Lawlessness, rebellion, pride, persecution
- And so many more direct confrontation against God’s word or His people
- Subtle devices 2 Peter 2:1-3
These are devices that look harmless to the Christian faith in appearance, but in reality are very deadly baits of spiritual destruction. In this group are the “It doesn’t matter” set of behaviors and the “It is the way God created me” syndrome among some believers. They could be likened to spiritual worms and viruses which had no kinetic force but can saliently invade a colony of Christian values to destroy their foundation. They are found in the bad attitudes we tolerate, allow or overlook as believers. These devices are manifested in the following:
- Blinding or blending of the truth
- Spiritual harlotry (prayer merchandise and use of strange powers to “do the work of God”
- Spiritual weakness and Luke warmness
- Crass, unbridled materialism and greed
- Hero worship and ministerial pride
- Vindictive and vengeful lifestyle
- Love of money, financial unfaithfulness
- Compromising on scriptural marital principles
- Despising the Holy Spirit and taking God for granted
- Segregation and display of primordial sentiments
- Scheming for authority and favors
- Carnal and mechanistic Christianity and so many more
The direct devices of satan are objected to by every sane society. The subtle devices are acceptable to any worldly system as a normal routine. But to him that is spiritually lively, it is easy to detect and reject these baits that equally lead to hell. Both direct and subtle devices of satan are keys to damnation when not checked.
Question 3.) What are the scriptural prescriptions against the devices of the devil listed above?
Ephesians 6:10-18; James 4:7; Mark 14:38; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 Peter 5:6-9
The word of God has been very plain in telling us what to do to overcome the devices of satan, whether they be direct or subtle in nature. We are admonished to:
- Put on the whole armor of God (consisting of a life of righteousness, truth, evangelism, faith, personal salvation, knowledge of and obedience to the word of God, prayerful lifestyle, with watchfulness)
- Submit to God and resist the devil
- Be in fellowship with God and with other believers
- Study the word, verify every assertion and obey the genuine gospel of Christ
- Be a witness in word and lifestyle
- Be convinced and resolute about the faith
- Be attentive to the Holy Spirit
- Watch (pay attention and remain vigilant) and pray
- Desire knowledge, wisdom and power of discernment from God
- Regularly exercise the virtue of patience
- Sharply rebuke the works of darkness
- Class should list others
Question 4.) What are the scriptural basis for overcoming the devil and his devices?
Ephesians 2:8; Phil. 2:15-16; John 8:32; Col. 1:13-14
These are biblical foundations upon which the victory of the believer over the devices of the devil are anchored. They are eternal truths and God ordained provisions which are always available to the believer in all circumstances of life.
The first such basis is the word of God, which is also referred to as the truth (John 8:32). God is present in His word, and a knowledge of His word gives us freedom from the captivity of satan. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is an invaluable foundation for the victory of Christians over all devices of satan (Col. 2:13-15). By His death and resurrection He overthrew the powers of wicked authorities, quickened our spirits and forgave our trespasses. Through the blood of Jesus we have a perfect atonement for our sins that ensures true reconciliation that qualified us to be partakers of heavenly inheritance. The love and grace of God is another basis for overcoming the devil (Ephesians 2:8). By this we are presented with victory even before the challenge. Next is the name of Jesus which has been so honored with authority that at the mention, there is obeisance from all quarters (Revelation 12:11). The Holy Spirit is our ever-present companion as we take a resolute stand against the devices of the devil. He dispenses abilities to believers, and reveals all wicked plans. He is the one who helps us to keep looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith.
Daily Living Application:
Our adversary, the devil has been defected and sentenced to eternal damnation, and this he knows very well. He is therefore out in full force, shopping for people that will be his co-travellors to hell. A lot of strategies and gimmicks have been deployed by this master trickster to lure the gullible and deceive the simple. That is why today there is multiplied efforts to bombard the church with all forms of distractions to promote the spirit of error, corruption, and ungodliness.
Each believer must therefore be sincerely certain of his faith and salvation in Christ with true devotion in the study of the Word of God, fervency in prayers and cordial relationship and communion with God. Victory assured in the Christian’s heritage.
Memory verse
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour”
Daily Devotional Guide:
Monday: The truth shall set you free
John 8:32
Tuesday: Put on the whole armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-18
Wednesday: Watch and pray, lest ye center into temptation
Mark 14:38
Thursday: Be steadfast, unmovable
1 Corinthians 15:58
Friday: Love not the world
1 John 2:15-17
Saturday: Believe not every spirit, but test the spirit
1 John 4:1