September 12, 2015
This week’s study is titled….
“Know Your Enemy”
1. His Names.
As a child of God, who is your great enemy and what is his name? Read 1 Peter 5:8.
What are some other names given him which describe who he is?
· Matthew 13:38.
· John 12:31.
· 2 Corinthians 4:4, 11:3.
· Revelation 12:9.
And what he does?
· John 8:44, 10:10.
· Matthew 4:3.
· Revelation 12:10.
· 2Corinthians 11:14.
Discuss in your group why these names are applicable to the devil.
2. His Origin, Fall and Final Destination.
A. His Origin.
Read Ezekiel 28:12-19. This passage was addressed to the king of Tyre but appears to be speaking in part if not all about Satan as well. Discuss those parts which could definitely not be referring to an earthly king. See also Isaiah 14:12-14.
What do you learn about Satan? What was he like and what could he do before his fall?
B. His Fall.
Refer toEzekiel 28:12-19 and Isaiah 14:12-14. What caused his downfall?
What strong word is used in Ezekiel 28:17 to describe how God kicked him out of Heaven?
Read what Jesus saw? Luke 10:18.
Where was Satan thrown?
What is he in the world now? Refer again to 2 Corinthians 4:4, John 12:31,
Ephesians 2:2.
c. His Final Destination.
What does Revelation 20:10 tell us?
3. His Destructive Work.
Read Genesis 3:1-7. What was the subtlety of Satan that he used to entice and deceive Eve and Adam’s disobedience? Refer also to 1John 2:15-16 and Jesus’ temptation. Matthew 4:1-11.
Discuss in your group how he still works the same today and examples in your own life.
Revisit the Bible passages in point 1 ‘What he does.’
What did Paul say he does to unbelievers? 2 Corinthians 4:4.
4. How Do Christians Have Victory ?
Read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 2:11.
Are you familiar with Satan’s schemes? Which one is Paul referring to here?
2 Corinthians 2:9-11. Name some others and share with your group.
Read Ephesians 6:10-20.
Make a list of each piece of the spiritual armor Paul explains, their purpose and how practically they are put into practice.
Are there any areas you are vulnerable to? Share with your group and discuss God’s solution.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. What are the promises are you given here. Consider also 1John 4:4, Romans 8:38-39.
Share with your group any things you have learned from this study and how it has helped.
5. Further Reading.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Satan-fall.html
Question: "How, why, and when did Satan fall from heaven?"
Answer: Satan’s fall from heaven is symbolically described in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:12-18. While these two passages are referring specifically to the kings of Babylon and Tyre, they also reference the spiritual power behind those kings, namely, Satan. These passages describe why Satan fell, but they do not specifically say when the fall occurred. What we do know is this: the angels were created before the earth (Job 38:4-7). Satan fell before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1-14). Satan’s fall, therefore, must have occurred somewhere after the time the angels were created and before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Whether Satan’s fall occurred a few minutes, hours, or days before he tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden, Scripture does not specifically say.
The book of Job tells us, at least at that time, Satan still had access to heaven and to the throne of God. “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, ’Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the LORD, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it’” (Job 1:6-7). Apparently at that time, Satan was still moving freely between heaven and earth, speaking to God directly and answering for his activities. At what point God discontinued this access is unknown.
Why did Satan fall from heaven? Satan fell because of pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many “I will…” statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Ezekiel 28:12-15 describes Satan as an exceedingly beautiful angel. Satan was likely the highest of all angels, the most beautiful of all of God’s creations, but he was not content in his position. Instead, Satan desired to be God, to essentially “kick God off His throne” and take over the rule of the universe. Satan wanted to be God, and interestingly enough, that is what Satan tempted Adam and Eve with in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). How did Satan fall from heaven? Actually, a fall is not an accurate description. It would be far more accurate to say God cast Satan out of heaven (Isaiah 14:15; Ezekiel 28:16-17). Satan did not fall from heaven; rather, Satan was pushed out of heaven.