Bible Studies: Satan, Our Enemy – Part II

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 to Me.’”

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 and place 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 town. 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: Mark 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 full time 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

“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.”

The Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

“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 anyone 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 spiritist 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 elmet of salvation and the 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. At one 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!