SATAN’S SUBTLE STRATEGIES
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TIP(S) FOR LEADERS
This sermon study has been developed using a basic framework. Please familiarize yourself with its content and feel free
to modify or skip any area if you feel doing so would benefit your group.
Leaders please take note that underlined words in your copy indicate fill-ins spaces for your group.
Remain open to the flow of the Holy Spirit as he guides you and your group through this study.
INTRODUCTION:
Ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden, our enemy Satan, by use of his devices (wiles, and tricks), has held
mankind in an almost hypnotic state. Satan still prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour,
hence the scripture tells us to be alert and sober of mind (1 Peter 5:8) and to not be ignorant of his devices,
lest he take advantage of us (2 Corinthians 2:11).
The Bible says that we have been given the keys to the kingdom, and these keys are the knowledge through
which we are able to live our lives in such a way that Satan cannot take advantage of us.
As Christians we all know that we’re in a spiritual battle, and if we’re going to be more than conquerors
(Romans 8:37) then we need to be very aware of the reality of the spiritual world and the need to keep it on our
radar.
WARM-UP QUESTION:
Read Ephesians 6:12-13
These Scripture verses end by saying to us “Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.”
1. When have you experienced spiritual warfare and what steps did you take to stand firm?
2. How has learning to stand firm affect how you respond to Satan’s attacks?
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Group discussion:
KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT YOUR ENEMY:
Scripture tells us that our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, but we’re
also told that we need to be alert and sober of mind so that we can resist him (1Peter 5:8).
In this study we’ll look at the different aspect of the enemy of our souls and determine how to take a firm stand
against him.
HIS PERSONALITY:
The personality of the enemy of our soul is reflected in his names: Satan, Lucifer, and the Devil,
1.
Lucifer: means “bringer of light”, read Isaiah 14: 12-14 and discuss what aspect of Satan’s personality you see
here and how you have see it in action today.
2. Satan: means “adversary” 1 Peter 5:8, discuss what aspect of Satan’s personality is revealed here and the
destruction left after this type of attack.
3. Devil: means to “cast between to divide” read 1 Corinthians 3:3 and discuss how Satan uses Christian immaturity
to his advantage.
4.
Now that you are aware of these aspects of Satan’s personality what steps can you take to protect your
relationship with God, your families, homes and even your workplace from the rebellion, hindrance and division
which Satan causes?
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HIS POSITION and POWER
Satan has real tangible position and power in the world in the form of; a prince, a ruler and a god.
POSITION:
5. Read the following Scriptures and discuss how and where have you witnessed these facets of Satan’s
position in the world today?
A. Prince: ...... Ephesians 2:2
B. Ruler: ..... 1 John 5:19
C. A god: ..... 2 Corinthians 4:4
POWER:
2 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT “This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and
miracles.”
6. How and where have you witnessed these facets of Satan’s power?
7. What is your plan of action against his position and power?
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HIS PURPOSES & STRATEGIES
Satan’s strategies are like viruses that come into our computer and corrupt the pathways but for us he
corrupts our way of thinking and acting, degrading the way we as followers of Jesus should be acting. As long
as you have the armour of God on and you’re in the Word and coming close to God then your firewall is
impenetrable.
A big part of your firewall is to know and understanding the hidden and subtle strategies of the enemy so let’s
identify three possible “viruses” that are lurking, waiting to strike:
Great Deceiver: .... Read John 8:44
8. How have you seen Satan’s deceptive strategies affect your life?
9. What are some ways that you can defend yourself against Satan’s deceptions?
Great Divider: ..... Genesis 3 is the account of Satan dividing Adam and Eve from each other and God.
10. Where have you seen Satan bring or attempt to bring division in your life?
Matthew 12:25 says “a house divided against itself will not stand.”
11. What steps can you take to stand against division in your families, homes and relationships?
Great Destroyer: ..... 1 Thessalonians 2:18 NTL “We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again
and again, but Satan prevented us.”
12. Where in your life have your experienced things that have hindered you from moving forward?
13. What do you think hindered from moving forward, was it the wrong time or some other force?
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CONCLUSION:
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the
temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
The important thing to remember is that the opposite of darkness is light, the opposite of black is white, and the
opposite of God is NOT Satan, because God has no equal...no one stands against the power of God and that’s how we
need to live our lives.
God destroyed the works of Satan, so get this in your heart and grab a hold of it and run with it because...
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the
world.” 1 John 4:4 NKJV
CONTEMPLATIVE CHALLENGE:
Over the next week meditate on the Scriptures we talked about tonight and how God has given you his promises to both
encourage and equip you to stand firm in those areas where you are struggling.
When we meet next week we’ll discuss your findings and the progress you’ve made in standing firm.
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