Studies

Getting to Know Satan

• How concerned are you about the possibility of being robbed some day ?
  
• What kind of robbery are you most concerned about ?
• Which of these kinds of robbery are visible, aggressive, 'Outside' jobs ?
• What have you done, or do regularly, to reduce the risk of an 'Outside' robbery ?
• But have you ever been caught off-guard by an innocent-looking, friendly, convincing thief (a 'Con-artist', someone who you really felt you could trust) ?
• What do you do to reduce the risk of a quiet, hidden 'Inside' job like this ?
• So do we all focus our protection against robbery mainly on obvious 'Outside' risks ?
  
  
• Now let's talk about Spiritual robbery.
  
• What would Satan like most to rob us of ? [ Our salvation ]
  
• How would he do that ? [ Tempting us to sin ]
  
• How does he usually work ? Does he mostly use blatant, obvious temptation ?
  For example, if we see money lying unattended on a shop counter, does Satan suggest that we grab it and just walk out (tempting us into doing a bold 'Outside' job) ?
  
• Or does he usually use a more subtle approach ? For example, when we find we've been given too much change, does Satan suggest to us that we need the money more than the shop (tempting us into doing a quiet 'Inside' Job) ? e.g."Who would know ?"

Gen. 3: 1-13
What tactics did Satan use here to lead Adam and Eve into sin ?

How does Satan use similar tactics on us ?

[ He uses lies to sow dissention and doubt. e.g. "Don't listen to her. What right does she have to tell you how to live your life ?" ]

2 Tim. 4: 1-4
How does Satan use this tactic to lead us subtly into sin ?
[ He sells an easier path to take. e.g. "If you don't like the tough message they preach, shouldn't you move to another Church where you'll feel more comfortable ?" ]

2 Thess. 2: 9-12
Where have you seen Satan try this approach to rob us of our salvation ?
[ He catches our attention with apparently magical cures from Faith alone, and then uses our amazement to lead us away from the truth. e.g. "See, doesn't that prove that Faith is all you need to be saved ?" ]

Why do you think God would make it easy for people to believe Satan's lies?

[ God wants to test our hearts, our conviction about the truth. He wants us to stay alert, to recognise Satan's work and to reject it, however attractive it might be ! ]

Luke 18: 9-14
What's the most successful tactic of all that Satan uses to rob us ?
[ He appeals to our Pride. e.g. "You're much better than most people. How could anyone suggest that you're not saved already ?" ]

What have we learned from these examples of Satan, the super 'Con-artist, at work ?

What do we need to do to reduce the risk of Satan robbing us of our salvation ?

[ Remember that Satan's best tactic is to feed us convincing lies. We must be on our guard. We must learn to recognise the attractive but evil thoughts that he puts in our heads. We must firmly reject them. We must focus on knowing, loving and pleasing God. We must study the Bible and live our lives according to the standards it teaches. We must help others to do the same. ]