Discerning Satan's Methods
1 Thessalonians • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Prayer
Introduction
Introduction
As I began to prepare for tonight, I was focused on the first half of 1 Thessalonians 3. In that portion of Scripture, among other things, we find some tactics of Satan to destroy the work and the lives of the saints. I was preparing to speak to you tonight about that…but as I continued to study, my attention was drawn back to the end of chapter 2. Before we can explore things that the devil tries to do in our lives, we need to look at something else.
During our study of 1 Thessalonians 2 a few weeks ago, we noted 18 characteristics of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica. It is through these characteristics, and others like them in Scripture, that we may identify when the hand of God is at work! God works in predictable and apparent ways, and He wants us to realize when He is at work! Here are the characteristics of Paul and his companions that identified them as instruments in the hand of God.
They were not friends of the world
They were bold to preach the Gospel
They were ready to endure resistance to the Gospel
Their exhortation was honest, pure, and sincere
Their work was done to please God, not man
They, as ministers and saints, were ultimately accountable to God, not man
They used honest and true words, not flattering words
They didn’t serve out of covetousness
They refused to seek man’s praise
They ministered with gentleness and love
They sacrificed greatly for others, out of love
They endured great labor and anguish in the service of God and others
Their life and ministry was transparent for all to see
They lived Christ-like lives
They ministered in all kinds of ways, wherever needed
They displayed commitment and an insistence that the saints live according to truth (hirelings don’t do this!)
They lifted up Christ as the object and focus of it all
Their work brought REAL holiness, REAL victory, and REAL resistance from the devil (only God can do this!)
Just as God’s hand is apparent in the ways that He works, so it is with Satan. God works in hearts in an honest way; He is the Light, and He makes things manifest so that we may see clearly. Satan does the opposite. He knows that he will fail if he tries to make things manifest and lay them bare. So he works by subterfuge, misdirection, and deceit. He may utilize just about anything in his efforts, but his goal is to hide the truth and deceive souls.
Perhaps nowhere else do we see Satan’s deceptiveness so clearly displayed than in one of his attempts to tempt Christ.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Satan used Scripture in tempting Christ! He is quoting Psalm 91:11. Even the Word of God is a tool that the devil is willing to use to accomplish his wickedness. Christ was prepared for this attack, and He understood that by appearing to promote Scripture, Satan was violating other Scripture. (Deut. 6:16)
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
And Satan is still trying this sort of tactic today! Paul writes these words in reference to those who oppose him and the cause of Christ:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
This is the deceitful creature of wickedness that we oppose in our service to Christ. He has not given up, he has not gotten tired of opposing the saints, and he has not run out of ideas for defeating the work of God. He is tireless.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
In the second half of 1 Thessalonians 2, we see some clear traits of Satan’s work and the tools he uses. It was important for the church in Thessalonica to be informed of Satan’s strategies, and it is still important for you and me in 2023! Tonight, we will consider, “Discerning Satan’s Methods,” as revealed in 1 Thessalonians 2:.
I. The Thessalonians’ Victory
I. The Thessalonians’ Victory
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
After all the self-sacrificing labor that Paul and his companions did for the work of Christ, there were changed lives to show for it! The Thessalonians enjoyed spiritual victory because they 1) received something, which was 2) the Word of God.
Receive — to take
This implies ownership, possession, acceptance, etc. This isn’t just hearing or considering the word of God. This is receiving it. When you receive something, it changes you!
Word — message; “logos”
The Word of God is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12) When we receive it as the word of God, it WILL work in us! It must work in us, if God is to be true, and not a liar. And it worked in the lives of the Thessalonian believers, and brought them victory. It was that victory that drew the devil’s attention.
II. The Devil’s Attack
II. The Devil’s Attack
When God gives you victory, you may count on Satan attacking you! The devil doesn’t need an excuse to attack the saints, and he doesn’t forget about our existence, but when we gain victories and become more like the Lord Jesus Christ, we may expect Satan to try to get us to give up our newly-won ground. The Thessalonians saw this as well. And while we don’t enjoy the devil’s attacks, we may take it as a small compliment. He doesn’t try to discourage those who are already opposing God. He takes aim at those who are obeying and submitting to the Lord.
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
“Followers” — imitators. How did the church in Thessalonica imitate the churches in Judaea? Answering this question reveals some of Satan’s methods to us!
A. Satan causes sufferings
A. Satan causes sufferings
1 Thess. 2:14b “...for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:”
Satan doesn’t want people believing that a God-fearing and obedient life is a life of joy! His temptations are based upon sin being the path to happiness. So he works hard to bring suffering to the saints’ lives, so that they and others will sin instead of obey and follow God. There is a price to pay for following Christ, and Satan will do his best to make you pay it through sufferings.
B. Satan turns our countrymen against us
B. Satan turns our countrymen against us
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
The devil does this in different ways.
First, he does it by turning the world against the saved, as Paul indicates. The saved Thessalonians were physically the same, but spiritually changed. That was enough for the lost Thessalonians to turn on them and attack them. Whatever secular/physical commonalities you have with others, those things will are weaker bonds than spiritual ones! The world is no friend of Christ.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Child of God, expect the world to turn against you! If you’re saved, this world is not your home. You’re a citizen of a better country. I am an American in this flesh, but I’m not an American in my soul. I’m a Christian there, and I needn’t be disheartened when fellow Americans reject me as a Christian.
Second, the devil may turn loved ones against us
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.
I am become a stranger unto my brethren,
And an alien unto my mother’s children.
The Lord Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, experienced the worst betrayals that a person could. His fellow Jews rejected Him, some of His family members didn’t believe on Him, and one of His apostles outright betrayed Him!
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.
John 13:27 tells us that Satan entered into Judas this night. And the devil is still at work today, turning people against those who dare to receive and follow the Word of God! And it is often made worse because the resisting crowd, as Jesus experienced, are often religious people. How sad that those who say they know and love God would be the ones opposing to the truth the most! The Jews are God’s chosen people, and they are the ones who crucified God’s Son.
This resistance from different kinds of “countrymen” brings suffering into the lives of the saints. It hurts; it’s disheartening and even discouraging...but it doesn’t have to be defeating. We have God’s Word on our side!
C. Satan threatens great loss
C. Satan threatens great loss
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
A threat is most effective when there is a track record. The school bully says, “I whipped that guy, and I’ll whip you.” This is why a fearsome reputation helps the bully win without having to fight! The Jews had a history of killing the messengers of God. We find them killing prophets throughout the Old Testament, and in spite of God’s judgment on Israel, that willingness to resort to violence was turned on Christ as well. Many believers have suffered great loss for the cause of Christ, and we see Satan’s intimidation everywhere today as well. Internet censorship, lawsuits, employer reprisal and more can all be ways that the devil seeks to defeat us by threatening us with the loss of our reputation, our finances, our health, etc. However, consider the blessed company that the persecuted saints are in: Jesus Christ and God’s prophets!
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
No matter what you might lose by following Christ, child of God, it cannot extend past this physical life. The devil can’t take what is most important!
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
D. Satan uses wicked men
D. Satan uses wicked men
1 Thess. 2:15 “...and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:”
A person of character struggling against an unscrupulous person can seem like an unfair fight. If one person is following rules but the other isn’t, how can the unscrupulous person possibly lose? The resistance from the world can be more intimidating because of this. But don’t fear wicked men, Christian. God is on the side of truth and righteousness!
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
E. Satan uses proud men
E. Satan uses proud men
God doesn’t use proud men, Satan does.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
1 Thess 2:15 “...and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:”
“Proud men” may seem synonymous with “wicked men,” but Paul isn’t being redundant. Wicked men are usually proud, but Paul’s description of the contrariness of these persecutors is instructive! The world isn’t united against the saints. Wicked men often have a common enemy in Christ and His saints, but wicked men are rarely united with each other against the saints. Paul describes wicked men in this verse who are “contrary to ALL men,” which includes both saved and lost. How is this possible? This is shown by people who give you two options: you can either agree with them, or you can be wrong.
But this approach is strictly God’s domain! (Rom. 3:4 “…let God be true, but every man a liar...”) However, Satan takes this approach as well, and he uses people who have this proud, wicked attitude. Have you ever encountered someone with this proud spirit? That is the kind of spirit found in men that the devil likes to use in his efforts to defeat the work of God.
F. Satan hinders the Gospel
F. Satan hinders the Gospel
The devil hates the Gospel, and he’ll use any and every means he can to hinder its spread and effectiveness. If something is hindering the Gospel, you can bet that the devil is behind it!
1 Thess 2:16a: “Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved...” This seems to be primarily selfishness and self-love by the Jews. What harm could come from seeking to rescue souls to be saved? Yet this selfish exclusivity isn’t just limited to wicked men.
And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.
Christ came to bring the Gospel to lost sinners. He is ALWAYS working to change lives with it, and Satan is always working to hinder Christ’s work.
May we have the attitude of Paul. No matter what it may cost us, the Gospel MUST be preached! Preach the Word!
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
If anything in our lives is hindering the Gospel of Christ and the preaching of God’s Word, we must repent and get it right immediately! It is the work of Satan to hinder the Gospel. May God’s people never do so!
G. Satan desires to bring God’s judgment on people
G. Satan desires to bring God’s judgment on people
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
Satan cannot condemn or judge anyone by himself. He has no power or Heaven or Hell. He cannot defeat the work of God or God’s people. But like Baalim, he has learned that people may defeat God’s work when they are successfully tempted to disobey and resist God in their lives. Satan is not longsuffering or merciful. He does not seek the benefit of others, especially at his own disadvantage. Instead, he seeks to tempt people to put themselves beyond God’s help, so that God will accomplish in judgment what the devil cannot do!
In stark contrast to Satan’s haughty and vengeful spirit, we see Christ’s merciful and loving invitation:
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Satan sought to bring such suffering to Job’s life, that Job would curse God and then be judged by God. And he still tries this strategy today! Learn to recognize Satan’s strategies, Christian!
H. Satan hinders God’s servants
H. Satan hinders God’s servants
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
God directs and guides His servants; Satan hinders them. If you find yourself hindered in service to God, there are only two options: it’s because of your sin, or it’s because of Satan. in 1 Thess. 5:25, Paul writes, “Brethren, pray for us.” Satan was hindering them, and they needed the prayers of the Thessalonian believers! We need to pray for each other faithfully, because Satan is still hindering God’s servants. He hates the saints and God’s work.
III. God’s Great Work
III. God’s Great Work
In verse 13, we began by noting the spiritual victory that the Thessalonian believers had received from God. The Christian life begins with victory at salvation, and our text tonight also ends by drawing our attention to God’s life-changing work, for His glory.
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.
Paul, Timothy and Silas had endured great physical suffering, constant spiritual attack, and much resistance of every sort. Evidence of the devil’s attacks was everywhere! Yet in the hand of God, these three men had been used to win souls to Christ, disciple them, and then see them continue faithful for Christ. This is what makes life worth living, child of God! Watching God change folks’ eternity through your participation in the Great Commission is a thrill that can’t be matched.
Tonight, we’ve seen many methods that the devil uses try to defeat God’s work and God’s people. This can be intimidating and discouraging at times. How do we continue faithfully? Where can we look for encouragement? King Solomon gives us some words of great wisdom in Proverbs 3.
Proverbs 3:5-7
The devil tries to threaten, defeat, and destroy. He speaks words of doom and discouragement. But God repeats Himself all through Scripture. He says, “Trust me and obey what I say. I’ll take care of the rest.” And when we do that, we will have victory. Paul, Silas and Timothy did that, and victory took the form of changed lives and a new church in Thessalonica.
Only God knows what great things He has in store for your life! By discerning Satan’s methods of attacking you, and you can move closer to experiencing God’s great victory.