Free Bible study: Satan, Our Enemy

Satan, Our Enemy

Part 1

Introduction
What comes to mind when you hear the name, Satan" A cartoon character dressed in red pajamas, with horns and a pitchfork"

A personification of evil" A kind of malevolent force" Or do you seriously believe the Bible's teaching on this evil being, and the opponent of everything belonging to God.

I hope you picked the final statement. Today, a shocking number of people, including Christians, do not believe in an actual devil. Rather, they assign him to the annals of superstition and fantasy.

That's exactly what Satan wants us to do. Such a belief leaves him at liberty to bring his evil and destruction into the world, enabling him to oppose and harass the followers of our Lord.

Our Study
Have you ever wondered why life is so difficult, why so many of your desires are thwarted, why trouble seems to follow you around like a dark cloud? There's a good reason for this. Much of the New Testament is written against the backdrop of a fierce war raging between two kingdoms--Christ's kingdom of light and Satan's domain, the kingdom of darkness. Satan is out to make life as difficult as possible for you.

We're not talking about a physical war between two nations here. The Apostle Paul makes it very clear that it is a spiritual war.

THE SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:12
"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm."
1. Who is our struggle not against?
    (_______________________________________________)
2. Who is it against?
    (_________________________________________________) The forces named here
belong to Satan.
    And what is our part in this war?
THE SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:3
"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
3. What does Paul call Timothy?
    (__________________________________________________)

Yes, our part is to be a good soldier in the Lord's army. In a very real sense we are members of an occupational army. Not only are we here to maintain peace, we must also be prepared to keep the former rulers and citizens of the world from regaining control. It is an intense struggle.

This is not a war for cowards.
THE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11:12 (The Amplified Bible)
"From the days of John the Baptist until the present time the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize]--a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for with most ardent zeal and intense exertion.

4. How is this assault described?
(________________________________________________)
5. How is it fought?
(_________________________________________________)

But who is Satan and where did he come from? To learn about his origin ,
it is necessary to go back to the Old Testament. THE SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-19.

"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God'...'I will make myself like the Most High';... 'You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty;...You were anointed as a guardian cherub.... You were on the holy mount of God;...You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you....You were filled with violence, and you sinned....Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom....I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings."

6. Describe Satan before he sinned.
    (___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________)
7 Describe him after he sinned.
    (__________________________________________________)
8. What did he want?
    (__________________________________________________)

Yes, although Satan was an anointed cherub, the model of perfection, he
wanted more. He wanted his throne to be higher than God's. A fierce war in
heaven resulted.

The book of Revelation describes this war.

THE SCRIPTURE: Revelation 12:7-9
"There was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

9. What is pictured here?
    (_________________________________________________)
10. Who are the participants?
    (_________________________________________________)
    It is believed that as many as one-third of the angels sided with Satan.
11. What is the end result of this war?
    (_________________________________________________.)

The Bible has much to tell us about our enemy. He is known by many different names and titles: Beelzebub, the prince of demons, the devil, the prince of this world, the god of this age, the ruler of the kingdom of the air, your enemy.

Other names include Lucifer, Abadddon, the satanic angel of the bottomless pit. His Greek name is Apollyon .

Yes, we face a formidable enemy. Scripture in no way indicates that Satan lost any of his powers as an angel when he was cast out of heaven. The Bible also tells us much about the character and powers of Satan and his demons. Let's look at a few instances from Scripture which describe them.
THE SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 12:22
"Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see."

12. What was wrong with the man?
(_________________________________________________.)
13. What did Jesus do?
(_________________________________________________)

THE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13:19
"When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart."

14. What power of Satan is revealed in this verse?
(_________________________________________________.)

One Sabbath day, Jesus encountered a crippled woman. When he healed her the Pharisees were filled with rage. This is Jesus? response:
THE SCRIPTURE: LUKE 13:16
"Should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her"

15. What had Satan done to this woman?
(________________________________________________)

On one occasion, in explaining to the Thessalonians why he had not come to visit them, Paul said:

THE SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 2:18
"We wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did , again and again--but Satan stopped us."

16. Why did Paul say he hadn't come?
(_______________________________________________.)

In the familiar story of Ananias and Sapphire's deceit, in holding back money from the early church, Peter confronts Ananias.
THE SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:3
"Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land"

17. What does Peter say Satan has done?
(_______________________________________________)

Satan's ability to overcome a person does not necessarily happen all at once. We see these steps of progression in the life of Judas Iscariot. At a dinner given for Jesus, Mary of Bethany took a pint of expensive perfume and poured it over Jesus? feet. Judas objected.
THE SCRIPTURE: John 12:5-6
"Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? it was worth a year's wages.' He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it."

18. What was Judas? pretended complaint?
(__________________________________________________)
19. What does this scripture reveal about Judas?
(_________________________________________________)

Before he betrayed Jesus, Judas had opened himself up to Satan by stealing from the disciples? funds.

Not too long after that, we see the next step in Judas downfall.
THE SCRIPTURE: John 13:2
"The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus."

20. What had Satan done to Judas?
(________________________________________________)
Later that same night, at the occasion we know as The Last Supper, we learn:
THE SCRIPTURE: John 13:26-17
"Then, dipping the piece of bread, he (Jesus) gave it to Judas....As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him."

21. What did Satan do next?
(_________________________________________________)

Here are a few more scriptures revealing some of the powers and characteristics of Satan and his demons.

THE SCRIPTURES: Genesis 3:1; Daniel 10:12,13; Matthew 12:22; Luke 8:29; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 3:6, 7

"The serpent (Satan) was more crafty than any of the wild animals?;... ?Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I (an angel) have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom (one of Satan's angels) resisted me twenty-one days?;...?They brought him (Jesus) a demon-possessed man?;...?Jesus commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains?;...?But I (Paul) am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ";...
"He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited....He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap."

22. List the characteristics/powers either stated or implied in the above
scriptures:
(___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________)

If defending ourselves against Satan were all up to us, we would have
reason to be afraid, but that is not the case. In Part 2 of this study, we
will learn how Jesus, as our commander-in-chief, has equipped us to be
victorious over Satan.
THE ANSWERS
1. Flesh and blood 2. Ruler, authorities, powers of this dark world,
spiritual forces of evil 3. A good soldier 4.As violent 5. With most
ardent zeal and intense exertion 6. An anointed cherub, the model of
perfection, full of wisdom, perfect in beauty, blameless in his ways 7. Full
of violence, proud, corrupted 8. To be like God 9. A war in heaven 10.
Michael and his angels (God's forces) and Satan and his angels 11. Satan and
his followers were defeated and thrown out of heaven. 12. He was demo
n-possessed, blind, mute. 13. He healed him so he could talk and
see. 14. He can snatch away the word of God from people's hearts. 15. Kept
her bound (crippled) for eighteen years 16. Satan stopped him. 17. Filled
Ananias" heart (with evil) 18. That the perfume should have been sold and
the money given to the poor 19. That he was a thief 20. Prompted him to
betray Jesus 21. He entered into Judas. 22. Craftiness, delays the answer
to prayer, causes demon-possession, causes illness, can cause great strength
in possessed people, deceives, can entrap people by causing them to become
conceited.

All scripture quotations in this publication are from the Holy Bible, New
International Version. Copyright ? 1973, 1978, 1984, New International Bible
Society
Copyright ? 2000 JoAnne Sekowsky

Satan, Our Enemy
Part 2

Introduction
In Part 1 of this study we learned who Satan is, his characteristics and his powers. In this section, we will see how Christ has given us the authority and the equipment to be victorious over him.

The Study
THE SCRIPTURE: 1 John 3:8
"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."

1. Why did Jesus come to earth?
(_________________________________________________)

God was not content to let Satan rule the earth. When the time was right, He sent Jesus to earth to destroy Satan's work.
THE SCRIPTURE: Colossians 2:15
"Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

2. What did Jesus do to the powers and authorities?
(_________________________________________________
______________________________________________________)

While Jesus lived on earth, He was able to destroy the devil's works because of the authority resident in him.

THE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28: 18
"Then Jesus...said, ?All authority in heaven and on earth has been given tome."

3. How much authority does Jesus have?
(_______________________________________________)

Jesus not only came to earth to destroy the devil's work he has the authority to do so. On several occasions Jesus passed that authority on to the disciples.

THE SCRIPTURE: Matthew 10: 1
"He (Jesus) called his twelve to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness."

4. What authority did Jesus give the disciples?
(________________________________________________)

On another occasion He sent out seventy-two disciples to every town anyplace where he was about to go. The disciples returned with joy, proclaiming:

THE SCRIPTURE: Luke 10: 17-19
"Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.'....He replied, 'I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."

5. What did the disciples say when they returned?
(_________________________________________________)
6. What was Jesus? response?
(__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________)

Snakes and scorpions represent Satan and his demons. In this verse Jesus is saying that His followers have the authority to overcome all of their power.

In another episode in the Bible, Jesus pointed out someone who truly understood authority.

Friends of a Roman centurion came to Jesus on the behalf of his servant because the centurion loved Israel and had built a synagogue for the ton. When Jesus said He would come to the centurion's home, the officer sent back word that it wasn't necessary for Jesus to come.

THE SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:7,8
"Say the word and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, "Go," and he goes; and
that one, "Come," and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he
does it."

7. Why was he able to understand authority?
_________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________.)

Just as Jesus delegated authority to the original disciples, He has also
delegated that authority to his followers today. Shortly before He ascended
to heaven, He commissioned them and us to use that authority.

THE SCRIPTURE: Marl 16:17-18
"These signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive
out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with
their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all;
they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

8. What did Jesus say His followers would be able to do?
(__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________)

We have more than the Lord's authority--we have our instructions as well. There is space to look at only a few of them.

THE SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:4
"No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs."

9. What is Paul's warning to Timothy in this verse?
(_______________________________________________)

By "civilian affairs," Paul is talking about the customs and practices of the world. It is important to remember that we are not citizens of this world.

THE SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:20
Our citizenship is in heaven.?

10. Where is our citizenship?
(_________________________________________________)

The author of Hebrews echoes this idea.
THE SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 13:14 (The Living Bible)

This world is not our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.?

11. What does this author say we are looking forward to?
(_________________________________________________)

THE SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 2:11
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.?

12. What does Peter call us?
(__________________________________________________)

Yes, the earth is not our home. As Christians we are citizens of heaven, and it is to heaven our allegiance belongs. That is why Paul is able to tell Timothy (and us) not to get involved in ?civilian? affairs. We are fulltime soldiers in Christ's army, making war against our enemy, Satan, and his
forces.

The apostles James and Peter have further instructions for us.

THE SCRIPTURE: James 4:7-10 and 1 Peter 5:8-9
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded....Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up"...."Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith."

13. What instructions do these two apostles give us?
    (__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________)
14. What will happen if we resist Satan?
    (__________________________________________________)
    How does any one come under Satan's influence and finally his power? The Bible doesn't give us specific answers to this question. However, God's position on our having anything to do with satanic activity is very clear. At no time must we ever indulge in any occult or cult activity.

THE SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 18:10-11
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or sprites or who consults the dead.?

15. Name the practices we are forbidden to become involved in.
(_________________________________________________
______________________________________________________)

THE SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 19:31
Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.?

16. Who are we warned against?
(_________________________________________________)

Some modern day variations of these forbidden practices include fortunetelling, horoscopes, Ouija boards, mind expanding drugs, séances, and clairvoyance.

No commander in chief would send his army into battle without equipping it with all the necessary weapons. Jesus is no different and no wise soldier would ever attempt to fight without his spiritual weapons.

THE SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:14-18
Stand firm, then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace....Take up the shield of faith....the helmet of salvation and he sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.?

17. List our weapons.
(__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________)
These weapons cover our entire body.. The belt of truth strengthens our loins for strenuous activity. The breastplate of righteousness covers our breast where our heart is located. The gospel of peace enables us to face the enemy with firm-footed stability. The helmet of salvation covers our head and thus our minds. The shield of faith enables us to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. With the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, we can come against Satan just as Jesus did when He was tempted.

THE SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.?

18. What else are we supposed to do?
(_________________________________________________
______________________________________________________) It is sometimes
natural after a long, hard battle to become discouraged and even afraid. Atone time in Israel's history, defeat seemed imminent. A servant of the prophet Elisha woke one morning to see the city surrounded by an army with horses and chariots. When he reported to his master, Elisha called upon the Lord to open his eyes, and he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding them.

THE SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 6:16
Don't be afraid,? [Elisha told him], ?Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.?

19. What were Elisha's words of encouragement to his servant?
    (__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________)
    So it is with us. In our battle against Satan, those who are with us--the heavenly forces--are more than those who are with them (Satan and his forces).
    It is a war Jesus has already won!

THE ANSWERS
1.To destroy the devil's work

2.He disarmed them and made a spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

3. All authority in heaven and on earth

4.To drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness

5."Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

6. "I Have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy."

7. He was both under authority and had authority himself. He understood how authority works.

8 . Drive out demons, speak in new tongues, handle snakes, not be hurt by poison, heal the sick

9. Not to get involved in civilian affairs

10. In heaven

11. Our everlasting home in heaven

12.Aliens and strangers in the world

13. To submit ourselves to God, purify our hearts, be self-controlled and alert, stand firm in the faith, humble ourselves

14. He will flee from us.

15. Divination, sorcery, interpreting omens, engaging in witchcraft, casting spells, is a medium or spiritist or
consults the dead.

16. Mediums and spiritists

17. Belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit

18. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests

19. "Don't be afraid," [Elisha told him], "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

All scripture quotations in this publication are from the Holy Bible, New

by JoAnne Sekowsky