John 17 17 Sanctify them through thy truth

John 17: 17 • “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” 1

Purpose Define Instruct Encourage 2

“Attitude” Defined Attitude: 1. Manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc. , with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, esp. of the mind: a negative attitude; group attitudes. 2. Position or posture of the body appropriate to or expressive of an action, emotion, etc. : a threatening attitude; a relaxed attitude. Source: Dictionary. com 3

What should our attitude be toward SATAN? 4

Introduction • Satan first mentioned in Genesis 3! • Sin entered the world at this point! • Satan’s purpose is to overthrow God’s purpose for man! • Satan mars man’s happiness! – Gen. 3: 13 -19, 22 -24 5

Bible Descriptions of Satan • “Satan” – 2 Cor. 11: 13 -15 • “Devil” – Matt. 25: 41; Jas. 4: 7 • “Serpent” – Gen. 3: 1; Rev. 12: 9 • “The Tempter” – Matt. 4: 3; 1 Thess. 3: 5 • “Prince of the power of the air” – Eph. 2: 2 • “God of this world” – 2 Cor. 4: 4 • “Prince of this world” – Jn. 12: 31 • “Adversary” – 1 Pet. 5: 8 6

What We Will Discuss! • The Christian must consider Satan as he is—real and active! • The Christian must recognize the character and wiles of Satan! • The Christian must not underestimate the devil! 7

The Christian must consider Satan as he is—real and active! 8

Must Consider Satan Real & Active • The same Bible that reveals God, mentions the devil! – Satan is real-just like Hell is real! • Satan walks: – “to and fro” and “up and down” in the earth! • Job 1: 7; 2: 2 – “as a roaring lion” – 1 Pet. 5: 8 • Satan is NOT: – A fable or imaginary being! – He is real! 9

The Christian Must Recognize the Character and Wiles of Satan! 10

The Character & Wiles of Satan! • He is crafty! – Waits for opportunities to strike! • Gen. 3: 1 -5; 2 Cor. 11: 3; Matt. 4: 3 • Does not appear as he really is! – 2 Cor. 11: 14 • A murder from the beginning; the father of lies! – Jn 8: 44; Gen. 3: 4; Acts 5: 3 • He has ministers! – 2 Cor. 11: 14 - 15; 2 Cor. 4: 3 -4 • Blinds the eyes of men from seeing the truth! 11

The Wiles of Satan! • He hates the word of God! – Lk. 8: 12; 2 Cor. 11: 13 • He is the God of procrastination! – Acts 24: 25 • He knows the word of God and perverts it! – Matt. 4: 6; Psa. 91: 11 -12 – Omitted “to keep thee in all thy ways” • He is a coward! – Jas. 4: 7 12

The Christian Must Not Underestimate Satan! 13

Must Not Underestimate Satan! • Christ severely injured the devil by dying on the cross! – Gen. 3: 15; Matt. 12: 29 – Heb 2: 14 -15; 2 Tim. 1: 10 • Christians must resist the devil! – Jas. 4: 7 • Must avoid his snares & wiles! – Eph. 6: 10 -18 14

Conclusion! • The eternal destiny of Satan is everlasting fire! – Matt. 25: 41 • Those who serve him will dwell with him eternally! 15

2 Corinthians 11: 3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ” 16

“What Shall We Do? ” Acts 2: 37 • An alien sinner must… – Hear the Gospel - Romans 10: 17 – Believe - Romans 10: 10 – Repent – Acts 17: 30 – Confess Christ - Acts 8: 37 – Be Baptized in water - Acts 2: 38 • An erring Child of God must… – Repent and Pray - Acts 8: 22 17