Evil’s Tactics < God’s Truth

“There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.” ~ C. S. Lewis

Ephesians 6:12 (GNT) | For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.

We need to quit viewing our faith through the lens of our politics and start viewing our politics through the lens of faith. ~ Andy Stanley

• Satan tries to distort the truth – Did God really say? (Gen3.1)
• But God says, I AM Truth.
  • John 14:6 (NLT) | Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

• Satan tries to divide us by putting people into groups and demonizing the “other”.
• But God Says, live in unity.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT) | I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

• Satan tries to deconstruct our values and weaponize them against believers.
• But God says, focus on Jesus.
  • Philippians 2:5 (NCV) | In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.

• Satan tries to deploy agitators to overwhelm so people will want the chaos stop.
• But God says, you reap what you sow.
  • Galatians 6:7-9 (NLT) | Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

• Satan tries to destroy our morale: break it to remake it.
• But God says, don’t quit.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (NLT) | That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

GOOD > EVIL

Reflection Questions:

1. What do you think about spiritual warfare? How have you seen this play out in our culture recently?
2. How does Satan distort the truth?
3. What is the threat of dividing God’s family? How can we live in unity with the differences we experience?
4. How have you experienced your values used against you? What is the result?
5. The Bible tells us we reap what we sow. What does that mean? How can that help us keep from quitting when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged?