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The Goal of Satan. Satan is fighting
God. He is trying to defeat God. Yet, he will lose in the end.
God is permitting him to try. God has allowed him to have control
of this earth for awhile. The Bible calls him the "god of this
world" (2 Cor. 4:4), "prince of the power of the air,"
(Eph. 2:2), and "an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14). He is
responsible for all the other religions in the world. He works against
Christ and seeks to prevent people from understanding that the Bible
speaks truth (Matt. 13:18-23, 37-40). He comes across as an angel
of light - providing truth.
Conclusion:Jesus
said, "I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6). We are
in a war with Satan over truth and he is doing everything he can to
deceive us.
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Put
on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against
flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual
forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.(NASB) Ephesians
6:11-12 |
How
can we fight this evil angel? It is not by our power or might. We
must fight Satan using the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). The armor
of God includes being truthful, living holy, being
saved (believing that Jesus is our God and the only One who can
save us from our sins), trusting God, knowing that you are going to
heaven, and praying.
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Piece
of Armor |
Meaning
and Reference |
|
| |
Girdle
of truth |
Be
truthful
Prov. 12:19; John 14:6; 2 Cor. 6:7; |
|
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Breastplate
of righteousness |
Be
righteous
Isaiah 11:4-5; Isaiah 59:17 |
|
| |
Feet
Shod with gospel of peace |
You
are saved - Peace with God
Rom. 5:1 |
|
| |
Shield
of faith |
Have
faith in God
Psalms 91:4; Rom. 1:17; 1 Cor. 16:13; 2 Cor. 1:24 |
|
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Helmet
of salvation |
Assurance
that you are saved
1 Thess. 5:8 |
|
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Sword
of the Spirit |
The
Word of God
Eph. 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Rev. 1:16; 19:21 |
|
| |
Prayer |
Attitude
of prayer
1 Thess. 5:17 |
|
When Paul wrote about the armor of God, he knew the readers would
search the scriptures and find these key passages.
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And
He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of
salvation on His head; and He put on garments of vengeance for
clothing, and wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle. (NASB)
Isaiah 59:17 |
These are pictures of a warrior in battle. The breastplate of righteousness
means that the person is seeking to live a holy life. The helmet of
salvation means one's life is secure. The girdle of truth is truthfulness
and the feet are secure or at peace with God. The sword of the Spirit
or the Word of God and prayer are the only defensive weapons. This
is one more message to us. We need to know the Word of God and to
be filled with His Spirit. When
we resist Satan, he will run (James 4:7). These are the keys to victory.
Praise the Lord. |
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