 |
|
"IF I WERE THE DEVIL"--2 COR 2:9-11 Three or four weeks ago, Hurricane Hugo blew through America- Hugo "Citgo" Chavez! While he was here he had a few remarks concerning our president, going so far as describing him as “Diablos”- the Devil himself! However, according to the Barna Research Group, when they asked Americans 62% of the adult population believe Satan “is not a living being but a symbol of evil.” Satan has certainly, successfully deceived the majority of Americans! Yet, the SKY is still BLUE, the OCEAN is still WET, and the DEVIL is still REAL! I. I’D CAUSE DISCREDIT TO THE WORD OF GOD-- Ephesians 6:11 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (Willies!) of the devil.” Heb 4:12
A. BY TRYING TO GET MEN TO DEBATE IT Satan approached Eve in the form of the subtil Serpent …in Revelation “that OLD serpent” Been around for awhile! 1.) Its Inspiration-Authority This Bible does NOT CONTAIN the Word of God…- it IS the Word of God! 2.) Its Preservation- Accuracy HOLY Bible-It’s ABSOLUTE not OBSOLETE! 3.) Its Application-Acceptability- B. BY TRYING TO GET MEN TO DISTORT IT---Satan is the ultimate TERRORIST ~ To Hijack- to take control of what is not HIS.
II. I’D CAUSE DOUBTS ABOUT THE WISDOM OF GOD * The Devil accused God of being SELFISH Gen 3:5 and even SINFUL! I would want people to doubt God PROMISES-PROVISIONS-PLANS! * Monkey trappers in North Africa have a clever method of catching their prey. A number of gourds are filled with nuts and firmly fastened to a branch of a tree. Each has a hole just large enough for the unwary monkey to stick his forepaw into it. When the hungry animal discovers this, he quickly grasps a handful of nuts, but the hole is too small for him to withdraw his clenched fist. And he doesn’t have enough sense to open up his hand and let go in order to escape, so he is easily taken captive. Same with souls- as they hold on to worldly bait, they cannot escape from Satan’s trap. But he keeps on urging, "Don’t let go! Enjoy the pleasure of your sin just a little bit longer!" · I would make the symbol of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas Santa Clause. · I BET I could convince some States to promote gambling as the way to get rich! · I’d convince people who DO marry to marry for better or worse…… but not for long! III. I’D CAUSE DIVISION AMONG THE WORKERS OF GOD IF I WERE THE DEVIL: I Would Go To Church! I believe Satan attends every time the Church doors are open. He did in Job’s day. Job 1:6—“Now there was a day when the sons of Godcame to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.” He did in in Zechariah’s day. Zechariah 3:1 “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.” And he does in our day! James 3:14-16–“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” I’d have saints: 1-Spreading Gossip 2-Shouldering Grudges 3-Shunning Growth. Satan even calls preachers. Many PASTORS are IMPOSTERS! Wolves wearing wool! 2 Cor 11:13-15—“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 trans- formed as the ministers of righteousness.” Even among each other and in the home……. · When a Christian lady started to pray or read her Bible, I would cause the phone to ring, the beans to burn, the baby to start crying, or someone knock at the door. · When a family decided to go to Church I’d send company to visit, cause the tires on the car to be flat, or the motor to not start. IV. I’D CAUSE DEADNESS IN THE WORSHIP OF GOD---He tries to PUT a PADLOCK on PRAISE and a WETBLANKET on WORSHIP!! Services so cold if you brought milk in you’d leave with ice cream! CHOSEN FROZEN POPSICLES in PEWS- POLARBEARS IN PULPITS- PENGUINS in PARKNG LOT! Drier than SALTINES-CHOIR should be on FIRE- we ain’t gonna HUM in HEAVEN “Loud voice”! Amos 6:1 “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion” When we do wrong-he is tempting us, when we do nothing, we are tempting him! The Devil is never too busy to rock the cradle of a sleeping Saint. Thank God I don’t have a MYTH for a BIBLE a MUMMY for a SAVIOUR or a MORGUE for a SANCTUARY! V. I’D CAUSE DISTRACTION TO THE WAY OF GOD A. BY PRETENDERS If you are hiding behind a hypocrite …….you have to be a little bit smaller! If you let a hypocrite stand between you and God- guess who’s closer to God? I’d rather go to hell with a few hypocrites than go to hell with all of ‘em! B. BY PLEASURE -Popularity, prosperity C. BY PROCRASTINATION Devil had a business meeting (“Not now! ” The Bible doesn’t say “Behold TOMMORROW is the day of salvation” I would tell people they always can do it tomorrow, even tho the Scripture declare, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Prov 27:1 In other words, “If I Were the Devil.” I would not change a thing. I would do exactly what he is doing. “Submit yourselves therefore, to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you” (Jam. 4:7). 1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” But I am not the devil, so it is part of my ministry to strengthen these areas. The Devil isn’t in Hell—but he will be one day. and he wants to take YOU with him! If he cant take you to hell he’ll keep you from taking anybody with you! CONCLUSION: It’s possible Satan has found a foothold in your life. You may be feeling defeated…….The ONLY reason your not saved- the Devil’s deceived you! |