SATAN: THE MASTER OF TEMPTATION

His Origin, His Strategy, His Doom

Matthew 6:13 — “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

INTRODUCTION

Scripture: Matthew 6:13; James 1:13–15; Matthew 4:1–11; 1 Peter 5:8

• God does not tempt His people. He tests them.

• God never tempts His children to destroy them. Satan tempts God’s children to ruin them.

• Knowing your enemy is part of prevailing over him.

• Every weapon Satan used against Christ is a weapon he still uses today. Every answer Christ gave is an answer we must learn to give.

SATAN’S ORIGIN

I. Satan Was Created Good but Chose Evil

Scripture: Genesis 1:31; Ezekiel 28:12–17; Daniel 10; Revelation 13; Ephesians 2:2; John 12:31

• God did not create the devil. He created a good creature who willfully chose evil.

• Satan is powerful, but he is not sovereign.

• If God created him, God rules him.

• Throughout Scripture, Satan works through earthly powers to oppose God’s purposes.

II. Satan Rebelled Against God

Scripture: Isaiah 14:12–15; 1 Timothy 3:6; Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4

Five times Lucifer says, “I will…” — I will ascend; I will exalt; I will sit; I will ascend; I will be like the Most High.

• Satan’s rebellion was the elevation of his will above God’s will.

• Pride transformed an angel into a devil.

• Every temptation ultimately asks the same question: Who will rule—God or me?

Satan says: “My will.”   The believer prays: “Your will be done.”

III. Satan Became the Great Enemy of God

Scripture: Genesis 3:15; Revelation 12:10–13, 17; John 10:10

• God declared enmity between the serpent and God’s people.

• Since Satan cannot strike God Himself, he wages war against those whom God loves.

Satan hates God, hates God’s people, accuses believers, seeks their destruction, and makes war against those who testify of Christ.

• The devil is not playing games. He seeks destruction.

SATAN’S STRATEGY

IV. Satan Declared War on Humanity

Scripture: Genesis 3:1–5; John 8:44; 1 John 3:15

Satan’s strategy in Eden:  1) Question God’s Word.  2) Contradict God’s Word.  3) Replace God’s authority with self-rule.

• Satan’s first attack was theological. He attacked the Word of God.

• Every temptation begins by asking us to distrust something God has said.

Progression of deception: darken the understanding → deceive the judgment → capture the affections → control the life.

• Every temptation asks: Who rules?

V. Satan Hates Every Child of God

Scripture: Job 1:6–12; Job 2:1–7; Zechariah 3:1–2; Luke 22:31–32; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Job — Satan sought to make him curse God.   Joshua — Satan opposed and accused him.

Peter — Satan sought to sift him.   Paul — A messenger of Satan buffeted him.   Christ — Satan personally tempted Him.

• If Satan tempted Jesus, why should we expect exemption?

• Temptation is not evidence that God has left you.

• What Satan intends for destruction, God can overrule for His purposes.

VI. Satan Is Powerful but Limited

Scripture: Job 2:6; Luke 22:31–32; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Genesis 4:6–7; James 4:7

• Satan cannot act beyond God’s sovereign permission.

• There is always a God-appointed limit to Satan’s power over you.

• Satan can entice the will, but he cannot compel it.

• Satan is on God’s leash.

Our response: “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” — James 4:7

SATAN’S DOOM

VII. Satan’s Doom Is Certain

Scripture: Genesis 3:15; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:10

• From the beginning, God told us the ending.

Satan was: Created → Rebelled → Fell → Tempted humanity → Defeated at Calvary → Restrained by God → Awaiting final judgment

• Christ did not merely resist Satan. Christ conquered him.

• The Cross was not only the place of forgiveness for sinners. It was also the public defeat of the powers of darkness.

CONCLUSION — OUR VICTORIOUS KING

Scripture: Romans 8:34–35; Matthew 6:13

Jesus watched Satan fall → confronted him in the wilderness → defeated him at Calvary → intercedes for His people today.

• Jesus did not teach fearful people to pray, “Deliver us from the evil one.” He taught His people to depend daily upon their victorious King.

KEY TRUTH TO REMEMBER

Satan is powerful, but he is not sovereign. Christ is sovereign, Christ is victorious, and Christ will have the final word.