Hell – Activities of The Enemy -Part 4
Activities of the enemy sound like a great title for a spy thriller. When talking about this enemy, though, it goes beyond a thriller. It’s down and dirty combat; it’s good versus evil. It’s a battle in the spiritual heavenly. The activities of the enemy are nothing to joke about or take lightly.
Hardly a day goes by when we are not knee-deep in activities. Whether it’s work, transporting kids, vacations, appointments, caring for someone sick, or even tending to our own needs, we are busy. Our calendars and day planners are filled with activities.
Can I tell you something? The enemy is busy with activities as well.
The difference? Agenda.
His plan and ultimate goals are a lot different than ours. His intentions for you and me are much different.
How do I know?
The Bible speaks on several of the enemy’s activities.
To review, the enemy I am speaking about today is Satan. He is the resident of hell, and should someone choose to deny Christ and forgo asking Jesus into their heart; I believe the enemy Satan will be their roomy for eternal life.
Let’s look at some of his activities from the Bible.
Activities in the past – Old Testament example
In the beginning…everything was initially created as good according to Genesis 1:31:
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
Not just good, but very good.
Enter in the serpent. If you recall from Part 3 of this series, the enemy Satan has many titles – names like an accuser, devil, tempter, evil one, father of lies, prince of the world.
In Genesis 3, we read how the serpent tempted the first woman Eve. Satan took the form of a snake and tempted Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam also ate the fruit. As a result, sin entered the world, and humankind has never been the same.
New Testament example
In Peter 2:4, we read about Satan leading a revolt of angel’s in heaven:
“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; “
My footnote for this verse says, “The sin referred to in this verse probably occurred before the fall of Adam and Eve. The angels who fell became the devil and the evil angels (possibly the demons and evil spirits referred to in the New Testament.)
Why stop at Adam and Eve?
Why should Satan stop with the first humans when he can go for God’s Son, Jesus Christ? And that’s precisely what he did.
Let’s look at what I consider to be the biggest temptation of them all – the temptation of Jesus Christ in Matthew 4: 1-11.
“1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ’He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
All yours Jesus.
I always find it a bit humorous when I think about Satan offering Jesus everything he sees.
Can you imagine Jesus saying, “You mean everything I created? Are you willing to give me everything I made? How generous of you.”
I want you to notice a few things from this passage:
- Even Jesus was tempted and did not give in.
- Satan doesn’t care who you are
- Jesus used scripture to respond.
- The temptation occurred at the onset of Jesus’ public ministry.
- Jesus did not compromise with Satan.
- Jesus’ temptation was real, not merely symbolic.
- Jesus was tempted in every way just like we are
My footnote says, “Adam, the first man, failed the great test and plunged the whole race into sin. Jesus was faithful and thus demonstrated his qualification to become the Savior of all who would receive him.”
Other activities of the enemy from Bible times
We read additional stories in the Bible about Satan being involved – stories like:
- David with Bathsheeba
- Job
- Entered Judas Iscariot
It’s not wise to sit idly by and think the enemy isn’t active today. On the contrary, he is busy.
Want proof? Take a good hard look at our world today.
If you look online, you will find groups who believe he is very real, so real they follow and worship Satan.
Next time we are together, we will look at the activities of the enemy in the present.
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