Xenos Christian Fellowship

Christian Ministry Unit 1

Introduction to Theology

Week 4 – Satanology 1


Introduction


C. S. Lewis spoke of the two most common errors people tend to make about Satan:


"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight."1


“One is to disbelieve”: Following the naturalism of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, liberal and neo-orthodox Christianity rejected Satan's literal existence as primitive superstition. They reinterpreted the biblical accounts of demon-possession in accordance with then-current psychological theories. While evangelicals never went this far because of their high view of scripture, they were sometimes guilty of mere mental assent without maintaining an effective theology of spiritual warfare.


“Unhealthy Interest”: Pentecostals and charismatics, on the other hand, have always emphasized the importance of spiritual warfare. They, however, have often fallen into the opposite error against which Lewis warned. Deeds of the flesh become demons to be exorcised. For example, on the topic of sanctification, some Christian authors emphasize freedom from demonic influence rather than ongoing choices to walk in the Spirit. For some, fear of Satan's plots and powers overshadows Christ's victory over him (e.g. satanic ritual abuse), and superstitious remedies become more popular than solid biblical response (e.g., spiritual mapping; exorcism rituals). Over the last twenty years, our culture has also become much more open to occultic spirituality, so this error is now at least as prevalent as the first one.


DISCUSS: How do you know Satan exists? What evidence would you offer a skeptic? (scripture, personal experience)


Scripture and Satan's Existence


The biblical testimony for the literal existence of Satan and demons is extensive. The biblical worldview is seriously incomplete without this material. We stand to suffer greatly if we do not understand the reality of Satan and his efforts to attack us (I Peter 5:8,9; Eph. 6:12).  It is very dangerous to be in the midst of a war and not realize it.



The Old Testament: Discuss the accusation that the doctrine of Satan was a late invention (following the Bab captivity). The Old Testament mentions Satan and demons less frequently than the New Testament, but its testimony is clear and consistent. References to Satan in the Old Testament include:


(Job 1:6) “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.”


(Gen. 3:1) Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" [cf. Rev.12:9 “the serpent of old”]


(1 Chron 21:1) “Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.”


(Zech. 3:1-2) Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.2 And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"

Demons:


(Lev. 17:7) "And they shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations."'


(Deu. 32:17) "They sacrificed to demons who were not God, To gods whom they have not known, New gods who came lately, Whom your fathers did not dread.”


(Psalm 106:37) “They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons.”


Jesus Christ speaks more about Satan and demons than any other biblical character. See for example Lk. 4:2-13 (and parallels); Mk. 5:2-19 (and other exorcisms); Jn. 8:44…


(John 8:44) "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.


Note: that the gospel authors are careful to differentiate demonic activity and other sicknesses:


(Luke 4:40) When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people…


(Matt. 4:24) “And the news about Him went out into all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, taken with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.” (See also Luke 4:40ff)


(Norval Geldenhuys) "It is noteworthy that it is distinguished (especially in the gospel of the physician, Luke) from cases of ordinary sickness, insanity, leprosy, blindness, lameness, deafness, and other natural defects and diseases (cf., Matt. 4:23,24; 8:16; 10:8; Mark 6:13; Luke 4:40; 7:21,22). . . .Neither is it only a kind of physical disease, although spiritual and physical disease often accompany it (e.g. Matt 12:22, 17:15; Mark 9:18).”2


The rest of the New Testament contains numerous references. Every New Testament author refers to Satan and spiritual warfare.


(Eph. 1:21) …far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.


(Col. 2:15) When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.


(Heb. 2:14)  Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;


(1 John 3:8) …the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

(see also 1 Pet. 5:8-10; Jude 1:9)


A secondary line of evidence for the existence of Satan: personal experience


How many of us have experienced spiritual attack in the following ways?



As we discuss Satan’s tactics over the next few weeks, you may find your eyes opened to the many attacks of the enemy you have experienced. Sharing these experiences can be helpful to the young believer as they learn about spiritual warfare.


Origin and Fall of Satan: Ezekiel 28


We need to learn as much biographical information as we can about Satan in order to combat his strategies effectively. The Bible provides use with invaluable information about his background and his character that gives us a picture of what he is like.


Note to instructors: Use this as an opportunity to teach hermeneutical principles. We need to have good reasons for selecting any interpretation that breaks from the surrounding context.


We believe that Ezekiel 28:11-19 supplies important information about the career of Satan. But some theologians would disagree. The disagreement stems from the fact that the first half of the chapter (vs. 1-10) is about the King of Tyre. If the first 10 verses are about an earthly king, how can we justify a break in context and say the last half of the chapter is about Satan?


What follows is an explanation of why the first ten verses refer to the judgment of the earthly king of Tyre and why verses 11-19 refer to Satan and his judgment.


The language of verses 1-10 gives us the clues that we're not talking about Satan.


In verse 2, the passage tells us we are talking about a "leader" of Tyre, in verse 12, we are talking about a "king of Tyre". The distinction will be apparent in a moment.


Secondly, the description of the "leader" in verses 1-10 clearly describe the life of a human being (see the underlined phrases).


(Ezekiel 28:1-10) The word of the LORD came again to me saying, {2} "Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because your heart is lifted up And you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the heart of the seas'; Yet you are a man and not God, Although you make your heart like the heart of God—

{3} Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; There is no secret that is a match for you. {4} "By your wisdom and understanding You have acquired riches for yourself, And have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries. {5} "By your great wisdom, by your trade You have increased your riches, And your heart is lifted up because of your riches—

{6} Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD, 'Because you have made your heart Like the heart of God, {7} Therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon you, The most ruthless of the nations. And they will draw their swords Against the beauty of your wisdom And defile your splendor. {8} 'They will bring you down to the pit, And you will die the death of those who are slain In the heart of the seas. {9} 'Will you still say, "I am a god," In the presence of your slayer, Although you are a man and not God, In the hands of those who wound you? {10} 'You will die the death of the uncircumcised By the hand of strangers, For I have spoken!' declares the Lord GOD!"'"


In the second part of the passage, the language leads us to conclude the author is describing a different person than he did in the first half.


As you read this passage, pay attention to the descriptive phrases we have underlined.


(Ezek. 28:11-19) Again the word of the LORD came to me saying, {12} "Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. {13} "You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz, and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise, and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared.

{14} "You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. {15} "You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created, Until unrighteousness was found in you.

{16} "By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire. {17} "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.

I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you. {18} "By the multitude of your iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade, You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth in the eyes of all who see you. {19} "All who know you among the peoples Are appalled at you; You have become terrified, And you will be no more."'"


Reasons why this passage refers to Satan


  1. There appears to be a meaningful difference between the use of "leader" of Tyre (nagid) in v.2 and "king" of Tyre (melekh) in v. 12.


  1. The Tyrians called Melqart the "king of the city" (i.e. Baal-Melqart was Tyre's primary god, The New Bible Dictionary, pg. 109; The New Bible Commentary, pg. 678).

  2. The Bible regards Satan as the spirit behind all idol worship

(1 Cor. 10:19-20) What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? (20) No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons.” (see also Lev 17:7; Deut 32:17)

  1. Also, Daniel 10:13,20 identifies malevolent spirits with particular nations.


  1. The description of the king in vs. 11-19 is not human.


Reasons against verses 11-19 referring to Satan:

1. The description in verse 13 seems to be of a physical being.

2. His destruction (vs 18) also sounds physical and permanent, whereas angels do not have earthly bodies and Satan is elsewhere described as being perpetually alive in Hell after the final judgment (Rev. 20:10).

3. Note the substantial parallelism between the first ten verses and the last eight.  In both cases the individual is described as the leader of Tyre, wise, wealthy, participating in "trade," and destroyed by God.

RESPONSE: Biblical authors often described angels, spiritual beings as having physical traits, possessions:

(See also Daniel 10, Ezekiel 1) In fact, angels sometimes take on human form (Hebrews 13:2). As mentioned above, there is precedence in the bible for identifying a human leader with a spiritual being.


This passage is consistent with other biblical teaching on Satan:


  1. Satan was created by God (vs 15). He is a creature who is inferior to God, so there is no dualism (Col. 1:16).

This means:


  1. He is the highest created being (vs 14), superior to other angels (Jude 9) and humans in intellect, authority, etc.

This means:


  1. He was originally perfect (vs 12,15a)

This means:


  1. He became evil by exercising his free choice to rebel against God (vs 16) because of his pride.

This means:

.

NOTE: Isaiah 14:12-21 - Many interpret this passage as also referring to Satan.


Reasons For Satan

Reasons Against Satan

Vs 12: "fallen from heaven"

could be figurative language (taunt; see vs 13)

Vs 12: "star of the dawn" = Lucifer = Satan

The Hebrew word is "helel", the Greek, "heosphoros" — neither can be translated "Lucifer". Lucifer is the Latin word for Venus — the "morning star." It wasn't found in the Bible until translated into the Latin (at the earliest in the late 4th century or early 5th AD) (see KJV). It is circular reasoning to state this word is referring to Satan since nowhere else in the Bible is this word used as a noun!


This can easily refer to mythological gods.

Vs 13,14: aspiration to equality w/ God "clouds" & "recesses of the north"

common for kings to claim this (Ezek 28:2) refers to the dwelling place of the Canaanite gods

Vs 16,17,21: has global dominion ("earth;" "world")

Neither "earth" (erets) nor "world" (tebel) are necessarily global (erets is translated "country" in vs 20).


The context is a human king with a human kingdom (vs 3,4,22,23). Unless we can show compelling reasons why we should break context, we should assume that vs 12-21 is about a human king (i.e. of Babylon or more likely Assyria.  We know that Assyrian kings referred to themselves as kings of Babylon


He is described as a man: He dies & is buried (vs 11,19,20). "Sheol" means "the grave" - not the abyss.


He is called a man (vs 16).


He has descendants (vs 20b,21).



Conclusion:



Additional biographical information about Satan:


1.  He evidently persuaded one-third of the angels to join him in his rebellion against God (Rev. 12:4,9).


2.  He then led the first humans into his rebellion (Gen. 3), after which their dominion over the earth was forfeited to him (this will be an important point to recall in future weeks).


3.  He seeks, through a variety of tactics, to prevent people from being reconciled to God (Matt. 13:49; 2 Cor. 4:4), and to neutralize believers from being effective for Christ (Eph. 6:11).


(2 Cor. 4:4) …in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.


(2 Timothy 2:24-26) And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.


4. We don't know his proper name. The names used in Scripture are not proper names per se, but descriptive titles which shed light on his person & work (Satan – the adversary, Beelzebub – lord of the dung heap,… handout available).


5. He was substantially defeated at the cross (Col. 2:15) and will be completely vanquished at the return of Christ. His doom is sure (Mt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10).


Introduction to Spiritual Warfare


(Eph. 6:12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.


The Bible emphasizes three key attitudes in the area of spiritual warfare:

(1 Pet. 5:8*) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


1. Alertness:

ILLUS: Big difference between walking around the zoo with your kids, and walking around a zoo with open cages! Suddenly we become much more vigilant.

Spiritually speaking, the cages are open. Be a supernaturalist. Assume Satan is at work: anticipate where he is working; pray for discernment; check with fellow-workers, etc.


(Rev 12:11*) And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.


2. Militance: Satan would agree with Sun Tzu who wrote the Art of War: "Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." (as quoted in Bevin Alexander's, "How Great Generals Win", p. 31). Satan loves to intimidate us so that we flee from our spiritual responsibilities.

That's what he wants to do to us. We must determine to endure suffering and keep going no matter what the cost is. This is key to spiritual warfare.

Losing our lives is not a real danger in our culture. But, substitute “life” in Rev 12:11 with “time,” “$”, “personal peace”, “music”, “career”,…


(1 John 4:4*) You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.


(Eph. 6:10-18**)  Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. (11) Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (14) Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, (15) and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; (16) in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. (17) And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (18) With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints . . . 


3. Confidence: Stand on the authority of God's Word and Christ's victory over Satan. This prevents us from becoming paranoid about Satan


Discussion: Which of the above attitudes do you tend to lack?


Covert Tactics


Definition: Covert tactics are subtle/hidden strategies that Satan uses to attack Christians.


The gospels and Acts frequently describe Satan’s open (overt) attacks (like demon possession) and dramatic episodes of deliverance (exorcism), but the epistles focus on Satan’s hidden (covert) attacks and warn Christians to be on the alert. In our ministry today, we more often see people taken out of their walk by Satan’s covert activity. We should not conclude from this that overt attack no longer happens, but that covert attack is more normal and should be our area of focus.


(2 Cor. 2:11)  . . . in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.


ILLUS: movie scene in which soldier in street repeatedly hit by hidden sniper, but no one can determine where the shots are coming from. May feel the same way when you watch your disciple keep taking spiritual hits and you can’t figure out why.


The goal of the next two weeks is to familiarize you with the main covert tactics discussed in the Bible. We want you to get the BIG PICTURE and think about how you see these operating in your life and in others.

 

Deception


(Rev 20:3) “He deceives the nations…”

(Jn 8:44) “He is a liar and the father of lies…”


Definition: distortion of biblical truth to neutralize active, zealous Christians and confuse non-Christians

Satan presents people with ideas that have the ring of truth & are attractive (ears tickled), but are lies.


Avenues:


(Col. 2:8) See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.



(2 Cor. 11:13-15) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. (14) And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds.



(2 Tim. 4:2-4) Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; (4) and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.



(Heb. 13:9) Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.



Countermeasures:


1. Learn the whole counsel of God.


(Acts 20:20,27). . . how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house . . . (27) For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.

This guards you against imbalance as well as heresy. This is why we emphasize personal study; expository teaching; inductive study. We also should emphasize what the Bible emphasizes. Also, no amount of teaching can replace reading the Scriptures on your own.


2. Develop the ability to think critically from a biblical perspective.


(Heb. 5:14) But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

You can be biblically knowledgeable and still be deceived if you don't develop this. Especially when interacting with "Christian" material, clarify the presuppositions and compare them to the Bible ("Christian" counseling which accepts inner child; self-esteem).


3. Stand firm in the grace of Christ.


(2 Tim. 2:1) You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

(Acts 20:32) And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.


As long as we approach God and others on that basis, we create a situation that Satan cannot defeat. He is always trying to move us onto the ground of works. Grace is the message that attracts the non-Christian, and motivates the believer to love.


This helps us make decisions based on God's word rather than the opinions of others (including Christians who may be judging us). We are able to think clearly about finding God's will because we're not short-circuited by concern about others' opinions.


4. Be open to corrective input from other Christians.


(Prov. 27:17) Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

If even apostles needed correction from time to time (Gal. 2; Acts 15), how much more do we! Some are more gifted in discernment; others are more mature—so take advantage of their contribution. Elders have a special responsibility to discern doctrinal error and protect the church through exposing it (Titus 1:9 >> "power religion" and "counterfeit spirituality"). But because any group can engage in "group-think," we should also look for this from outside our own group (conferences; books; bringing other workers in).


Watch for the ‘pendulum swing’: When Christians realize they have been imbalanced in one area, they commonly overreact to the other extreme. "It is always easier to go to the consistent extreme than to remain at the point of tension." (Spiritual experience; ministry vs. sanctification; home involvement vs. church life)! Strengthen the complementary truth—don't denigrate the original truth (1 Cor. 12:21-25).


Doubt


Definition: seeks to erode a Christian's confidence in God


Avenues:



Note: James 1:6 uses this word to mean one who is "double-minded" (vs 8) which is later defined as a Christian who has compromised his commitment to Christ by loving the world (Jas. 4:8). In other words, "doubter" here means one who is in volitional unbelief.


Countermeasures: It is not a sin to have doubts; it is what you do with doubts when they emerge that matters.


1. Share your doubts with God and other Christians!
This diffuses the accusation that no other Christians wrestle with doubt. They can also often provide answers to your doubts.


Also – don’t freak out when someone comes to you & opens up about doubts.

2. Study the biblical passages where God's people express their doubts.
Job, Lamentations, many psalms, etc. are very helpful. The fact that others (including biblical authors!) have had similar doubts is encouraging. The fact that they eventually resolved their doubts is also encouraging and sometimes instructive.


3. Check your personal walk.
Lack of spiritual feeding and ministry will rob us of subjective personal assurance and make us more vulnerable to doubt. Willful rejection of God's moral discipline may also make us vulnerable to doubt.

When we don’t act in faith, cognitive dissonance develops (contradiction between what you say you believe and how you live – eventually one has to go)


4. Expose yourself to answers regarding theological/philosophical doubts.
You're not the first one to ever have this kind of doubt! One of the main values of apologetics is to strengthen Christians against doubt. Many suffer needlessly from doubt because they are too lazy to do this work.
We run the risk of suppressing our own doubts with self-soothing behavior. (like shoving volleyball underwater)

Good reading: Guinness. Doubt. Yancey. Disappointment with God. Schaeffer. True Spirituality.


5. Monitor your thought-life and take doubtful thoughts captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:3-5*).
Learn to doubt your doubts! Satan will accuse God to us (e.g., that he will abandon you), and unless we respond aggressively by rejecting such thoughts on the basis of scripture, they will tend to grow into serious doubts.


6. Focus your doubt on other world views also.
Don’t reserve all of your skepticism for Christ. Spend some time challenging other suggested answers to life’s questions.

Consider: "Doubt is to faith what fear is to courage."

 

 

Seduction - using distraction to entice us from Christ.


Purpose: to steal our affections from Christ through distraction/idolatry


Avenues: The kosmos—the whole system of values that is Satan's influence for evil. This is a huge theme in the New Testament! Consider the following representative verses:


Satan is the creator and ruler of the kosmos.


(1 John 5:19)  We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.


(2 Cor. 4:4)  . . . in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.


(Eph. 2:2)  . . . in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.


Therefore, the goal of the kosmos is to directly oppose God's will for our lives.


(1 Cor. 2:12)  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God . . . 


There are two totally different ways of viewing things, and the "spirit which is from the world" is not morally neutral (see 1 Cor. 3:19; Isa. 55:8,9; Jn. 10:10).


(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age . . . 

God's way for a fulfilled and effective life is diametrically opposed to worldly desires.


(2 Pet. 1:4) For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
(Same as Titus 2:11,12)


(2 Pet. 2:20) For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

The world "defiles," "entangles," and can "overcome" people—including Christians. How sad it is to see people who have been rescued from its bondage to allow themselves to be sucked back into it! (See Isaiah 57:10; Hebrews 3:13)


(James 4:4) You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Loving the world is incompatible with loving God.


Key Components of the Kosmos (from 1 John 2:15,16):


(1 John 2:15,16*) Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.


The kosmos takes areas that are potentially good, but twists them into idols that distract us from coming to Christ and/or neutralize us as Christians. These are the "things of the world" mentioned in vs 15.



There is nothing wrong with physical pleasure in itself. God gave us bodies with the capacity for enjoying pleasure.

The "lust of the flesh" is the inordinate desire for physical pleasure. It includes not only obvious things like DRUG & ALCOHOL abuse, SEXUAL perversion, etc.—but also COMFORT (indolence as higher priorities than serving Christ), GLUTTONY; CIGARETTES.



"Lust of the eye" refers to inordinately desiring things that our eyes see (see Aachan in Josh. 7:21). There is nothing wrong with owning and even enjoying material objects. But this easily becomes a form of idolatry so that we derive our sense of meaning, significance, security, etc. from owning and enjoying them (more in 2 WEEKS).


Materialism includes not just people like BILL GATES. It also is a crucial part of the American dream ("PERSONAL PEACE & AFFLUENCE").


We do not need to have a lot of possessions to be materialistic, materialism is a mindset. We find ourselves consumed with thoughts of wanting more rather than considering how thankful we are for what we have and how we can use our resources to serve others.

Remember that materialism is competitive for many. It's not important to have a nice car, but to have a "nicer" one than the next guy. For others, it is the pursuit of comfortable living (the absence of material suffering) that drives it.



It is an inordinate desire for the praises of men. There is nothing wrong with having a healthy sense of self—knowing that you are a significant person who can accomplish valuable goals, impact others, etc. But Satan twists this into something very different (Lamech in Gen. 4:19-24).


As Christians we are significant because we are forgiven, adopted and gifted by God. Instead of living based on these realities, we try to attain significance based on other humans' approval.

Not just HITLER/ROCK STAR—also justification of selfishness vs. sacrificial, serving lifestyle (CORPORATE LADDER-CLIMBING; LUST FOR PEOPLE’S ‘RESPECT’; STAY-AT-HOME MOMS WHO FEEL INSIGNIFICANT).


Not only that we seek positive attention, but we fear the censure of others when we make decisions to serve God. EG the stay-at-home parent or the person who declines career advancement to serve his/her family or church.

When we are into this lifestyle, we are enslaved to the opinions of others. Do you want the final verdict on your life to be, "People really admired me?"


Note: The "law of diminishing returns" operates in all three of these areas!

The more we pursue and wrap ourselves up into these areas, the less true fulfillment we experience and then we try even harder in these areas. We need a clean break from the beliefs (lies) and practices that say these areas will fulfill us.


The kosmos is effective because of its extreme subtlety (i.e. — it is easy to be deceived. i.e. — you could be hip deep as we speak and not be aware).


(Eugene Peterson) "The world is an atmosphere, a mood. It is nearly as hard for a sinner to recognize the world's temptations as it is for a fish to discover the impurities in the water. There is a sense, a feeling that things aren't right . . . but just what it is eludes analysis." (Eugene Peterson, quoted in Stephen Eyre, Defeating the Dragons of this World (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1987), p. 19)


Satan with the world-system is like a fisherman with a sparkling lure. The lure is the imitation of the real food, and is designed to hide the barbed hook. We follow it along, enticed by our senses, convinced it will satisfy. We find the hook lodged in our throats, and ourselves being reeled in before we are aware of what has happened. And like the fish, once caught, we have to be willing to endure some pain as we fight to free ourselves.


Countermeasures:


1) Do not withdraw from non-Christians or secular culture


(FUNDAMENTALIST PROTECTIONIST CULTURE) This response doesn't really protect anyone from kosmos, since the kosmos' values flourish in religious cultures. More importantly, it betrays our mission to reach the lost.


(John 17:15) I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one . . . As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.


(1 Cor. 5:9,10)  I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; (10) I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters; for then you would have to go out of the world.


(Phil. 2:14,15)  Do all things without grumbling or disputing; (15) that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world . . . 


2) Reject the kosmos on an ideological level.


Through the revelation of scripture, we need to realize that it is ultimately unfulfilling, temporary, and dehumanizing.


(1 John 2:17) And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.


(2 Pet. 2:18-19)  For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, (19) promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.


Consider that desire for things of the world is coveting and leads to lack of contentment and bitterness.


"Coveting is the negative side of the positive commands (found in Matt.22:37, 39)…there are two practical tests as to when we are coveting against God or men; first, I am to love God enough to be contented; second, I am to love men enough not to envy…A quiet disposition and a heart giving thanks at any given moment is the real test of the extent to which we love God at that moment…True Spirituality, Francis Schaeffer, excerpted from pp.8-10.

(Notice in Ephesians 5:3,4 that)…the "giving of thanks" is in contrast to the whole black list that stands above…


3) Repentance may be necessary if you realize you have been enmeshed in it.


(James 4:4-10) You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (5) Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? (6) But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (7) Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (9) Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.


Choose to end this spiritual adultery! This may involve some radical steps. Some may see the need for career changes, a budget overhaul with consultation, a break with a certain group of friends, cessation of sinful habits are just a few examples of changes that may be needed. (WHAT TYPE OF LIFE CHANGES WOULD ONE BE WILLING TO MAKE IF TEMPTED BY LITERAL ADULTERY?) Remember God's grace if you realize you have been an "adulteress."


(2 Cor. 6:14-7:1)  Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? . . . (1) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."


Admit to God that you haven't been trusting him to meet your needs. Choose instead to entrust yourself to his care.


(Matt. 6:32,33) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


4) Actively pursue spiritual growth and ministry.


Unless we fill the void with God's way of life, we will be drawn back into the kosmos. Wherever God puts us we should appreciate and pursue doing his work, whether in the spotlight or behind the scenes; in fact he will probably insure we experience behind the scenes work. Our fulfillment will be complete as we pursue evangelism and discipleship in the context of home group ministry. Serving includes becoming a faithful financial steward (more in subsequent weeks).


(1 Tim. 6:11) But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.


(2 Tim. 2:22)  Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.


As we gain God's perspective we begin to experience true joy and our perspective on the kosmos changes.


(Romans 12:2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.


C.S. Lewis. The Screwtape Letters. xiii.
"It remains to consider how we can retrieve this disaster (his conversion).  The great thing is to prevent his doing anything.  As long as he does not convert it into action, it does not matter how much he thinks about this new repentance.  Let the little brute wallow in it.  Let him, if he has any bent that way, write a book about it; that is often an excellent way of sterilising the seeds which the Enemy plants in a human soul.  Let him do anything but act.  No amount of piety in his imagination and affections will harm us if we can keep it out of his will." 


Memory Verses


Ezek. 28:11-19** - Satan's origins

Eph. 6:10-18** - Our real battle is against the schemes of Satan. Our primary armor and weapons are our position in Christ, the Word and prayer.

Rev. 12:11* - Christians overcome Satan's accusations through grace, his deception through the Word, and his persecution through radical commitment to Christ.

1 Jn. 2:15,16* - Loving the kosmos is antithetical to loving God. The key components of the kosmos are the lust of the flesh (HEDONISM), the lust of the eye (MATERIALISM), and the boastful pride of life (EGOTISM).


Homework Assignment


Complete the Satanology Passages 2 Assignment.


1 C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2001 edition) frontmatter.

2 Norval Geldenhuys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke: The English Text (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1998) p. 174.

22