Page 81 - Personal Spiritual Life Syllabus w videos

relationship with your spouse, he is successful. If he can get one political party to fight another or one
nation to battle another, he has been successful. His basic plan is to cause people to be divided. How
does he do that?

Satan has a natural friend he can rely on --- every person’s old sin nature. The sin nature boils down to
one word: pride. It is what caused Satan to fall and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. It is why Cain slew
Able. It is the basis and foundation of our sin nature. So all Satan has to do is encourage pride in the
lives of believers, and he is sure to cause division.

If that does not work, Satan will use false accusations to divide. The Bible says that Satan is a liar and
the father or originator of all lies. Here is what Jesus told to Satan:

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Be aware that some of what you hear about someone else is probably NOT true. Satan will encourage
believers to gossip about each other, passing on lies to cause division. He is quite effective at this.

2. He Creates Diversions

Satan will also do everything he can to divert your attention away from God. He will give you a new TV
so you will waste your time watching shows that teach his subversive ways. He will bring temptation
into your life perhaps through an attractive individual, seeking to direct your flesh or eyes to desire the
things of the world. He will dangle the power to control people before you. Consider this verse:

I John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of
life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

3. He seeks to Discourage

Finally, Satan will seek to discourage you. He will try to get you to look at your circumstances rather
than looking to Christ. He may cause sickness to come to break down your will to serve. His ultimate
goal will be to bring such discouragement into your heart that you will “give it all up”. He will tell you,
“It’s not worth it! It is costing you too much!” He just wants you to NOT SERVE THE LORD, and any way
he can cause this to happen, he will direct it your way.

Read Ephesians 6:10-20 and remember that God has equipped you to battle Satan with His Word.
When being tempted by Satan, three times Jesus rebuked him by quoting from the Scriptures. You can
also defeat Satan by staying faithful in your study of God’s Word and in prayer.

80