RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual For June 23, 2019 : TOPIC – Know Your Enemy

MEMORY VERSE: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” – 2 Corinthians 11:14

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Every military commander tries to find out as much of the enemy as possible. This is why he always sends to collect information about the enemy (Numbers 13:17; Joshua 2:1). Similarly, knowledge of our adversary is very precious to us since we too are engaged in life long battle with the devil. That enemy (adversary) is Satan or the devil.

2 HIS ACTIVITIES

Satan, formerly known as Lucifer, was a principal angel in Heaven, until he rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven alongside his angels (demons) that rebelled with him (Isaiah 14:12-15; Rev. 12:4&9). Satan is a real personality. He has names, titles and highly organized system of demons. Among his numerous titles is, ‘the tempter’ (Matt. 4:3). God is not a tempter and can never be (James 1:13). Satan is the tempter and has always been. Satan is also called the prince of the devils (Matt. 9:34). He is the prince of this world (John 14:30), though a prince of sorrow and destruction, a prince of war, hatred, evil and abomination (John 10:10a). Satan is also called the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). That is why the Lord warns us not to love the world or the things that are in the world (1 John 2:15-17).

Satan is also described as a murderer, liar and father of lies (John 8:44). Therefore, you must never listen to him or believe whatsoever he says. Being a deceiver, it is not unusual for Satan to pretend to be a holy angel (2 Cor. 11:14). Actually, he is a killer who is always on the lookout for prey (1 Peter 5:8). The Bible also refers to Satan as the “great dragon”, “old serpent” (Rev. 12:9), “accuser of brethren” (Rev. 12:10) and the “wicked one” (Matt. 13:19; 1 John 5:18).

The great aim of Satan is to deceive the whole world and win them to his side (Rev. 12:9). Therefore, he tries desperately to blind the mind of sinners so that they will not be able to receive the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:3-4). He knows that, once the light of Word shines into their hearts, they will discover that he is a liar (John 1:9; Acts 13:47). Therefore, he steals the Word of God from them so that they might not believe and be saved (Luke 8:12). Hence, if you forget the Scriptures readily, you better watch out. Satan is also busy accusing believers before God, day and night (Rev. 12:10). However thank God, we also have a lawyer in Heaven pleading our cases before the Father (1 John 2:1; 1 Tim. 2:5). As long as we remain loyal to Christ, the devil cannot prevail against us (Rom. 8:37-39; 1 John 4:4). Christ has given us the powers and authority to overcome Satan (Luke 10:19; Rev. 12:11). We must, therefore, submit ourselves to God, never give place to the devil but resist the him steadfastly by faith and proclaim our victory over Satan (Eph. 4:27; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9).

CONCLUSION: Every child of God must know about the tricks of the devil and resist him with the whole armor of God. (Eph. 6:11).

For Further Reading: Ephesians 2:2; Acts 26:18; 2 Peter 1:19; Colossians 1:12-13; Matthew 13:39.

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) instruments which Satan uses to deceive and carry people into captivity. Mention five (5) ways to escape/avoid such deception.