James, writing “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad”, warned them to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 1:1; 4:7
And the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 1:1) writing to “the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (fellow Jews), warns them: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
The devil is far more powerful and intelligent (as well as subtle and seductive in his malignant purposes) than any combination of human enemies we could ever face, and we would be utterly unable to defeat him with our own human resources. Yet, God’s Word makes it plain that we are neither to yield to him nor flee from him. As the Apostle Paul writes to believers, we must “put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” We have “the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the [wicked one],” and also “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:11,16-17).
But how can we resist such a mighty foe? As in our text, we must constantly maintain sobriety and vigilance against his enticements, and be careful to remain “steadfast in the faith.” Otherwise, the pseudo-intellectualism and social peer pressure to which we are subjected daily could quickly persuade us to compromise the faith, or even to depart from the faith.
We are commanded not to yield and not to compromise. Instead, This mighty sword with which we can make Satan flee from us is literally “the sayings of God”—that is, an appropriate individual word from the complete Word of God. This was the instrument with which the Lord Jesus Himself resisted the devil, parrying each temptation with an incisive thrust of Scripture. The result then—as it will be now with us also—was that the devil “departed from him for a season” (Luke 4:13).
Witches, Wizards, Witchcraft, Sorcerers, Sorceries, Magicians, Enchanters, Enchantments, Diviners, Divinations, Dreams, Dreamers, Seers, Soothsayer, Astrologers, Stargazers, Prognosticators, Charmer, Necromancer: All are mentioned and dealt with in the Scriptures.
The Pharaoh of Joseph’s time relied on Magicians… Genesis 41:8,24 The Pharaoh of Moses’ time relied on Sorcerers, Magicians, Enchantments… Exodus 7:11,22 8:7,18,19 9:11 The Law condemned Witches to death… Exodus 22:18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. The Lord God warned against wizards, familiar spirits… Leviticus 19:31 20:6 20:27 Balaam tried to use Divinations and Enchantments against Israel…. Numbers 22:7 23:23 Moses warns Israel against (false) Prophets, Dreamers, Diviners, Enchanters, Witches, Wizards, Charmers and Necromancers, as they go into the promise land… Deuteronomy 13:1-5 18:10-11,14 Israel deals with Balaam Joshua 13:22. Philistines ask diviners for advice 1 Samuel 6:2 Because of Witchcraft Saul rejected as King. 1 Samuel 15:23 Saul expels wizards and those that had familiar spirits. 1 Samuel 28:3 Saul and the woman (witch) that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. 1 Samuel 28:7-25 Jezebel and her witchcrafts 2 Kings 9:22 Israel and Judah do evil turning from the Lord 2 Kings 17:13 21:6 23:24 Manasseh did evil before the Lord 2 Chronicles 33:6 33:18-19 The Psalmist warned against Charmers… Psalm 58:5Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely. Isaiah warned Israel about Soothsayers, Familiar Spirits, Wizards, Seers, Diviners, Sorcerers, Enchantments, Astrologers, Stargazers, and Prognosticators… Isaiah 2:6 8:19 19:3 29:10 30:10 44:25 47:12-13 Jeremiah warned Israel about Diviners, Dreamers, Enchanters, Sorcerers… Jeremiah 14:14 27:9 29:8 Ezekiel warned Israel about Diviners, Divinations…. Ezekiel 12:24 13:6-7 13:23 21:21-23 Daniel, in his service to Babylonian Kings came up against Magicians, Astrologers, Sorcerers, Soothsayers…. Daniel 1:20 2:2 2:10 2:27 4:7 4:9 Daniel 5:7 5:11 5:15 Micah warned of Seers, Diviners, Witchcraft, and Soothsayers… Micah 3:7 5:12 Nahum speaks of Witchcrafts… Nahum 3:4 Zechariah warns of Diviners, False Dreams…. Zechariah 10:2 Malachi mentions Sorcerers… Malachi 3:5
Even the Apostle Peter had to deal with Sorcery… Acts 8:9-11 The Apostle Paul dealt with Barjesus, Sorcerer, false prophet, a Jew…Acts 13:6-8 Again, with a certain damsel with a spirit of divination, soothsaying…Acts 16:16 Jude warns of Dreamers… Jude 1:8 Revelation speaks of Sorcerers and Sorceries…. Revelation 9:21 18:23 21:8 22:15
The Apostle Paul was well aware of Satan and warned believers of him. He advised believers on how to deal with one who refused to believe God. 1 Corinthians 5:5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. And to be alert of Satan’s temptations. 1 Corinthians 7:5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. And that Satan is the god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. That Satan, the angel of light deceives many. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14For 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. Paul knew all to well of the spiritual conflict Satan imposes. 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. He warns of the Man who Satan will indwell (like Judas). 2 Thessalonians 2:9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, Again, how to deal with one who refused to believe God. 1 Timothy 1:20Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Warning Timothy how some are following Satan 1 Timothy 5:15For some are already turned aside after Satan. He reminded the Romans that God would defeat Satan: Romans 16:20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Molech is the name of a Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice. It is also called God of the Ammonites. Perhaps it was called Malkam, Milkom, and Molech. Molech may have been a title rather than the name of a deity.
In the LAW, The Lord God warned his people, the Jew, NOT to have anything to do with Molek. Leviticus 18:21 And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of their God: I am the LORD. Leviticus 20:2-5 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel that giveth any of his seed unto Molech he shall surely be put to death. He hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth his seed unto Molech, and kill him not. I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.
But one of Solomon’s wives lead him astray. 1 Kings 11:7Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. 2 Kings 23:10And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech. But during the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar. The children of Israel worshipped Molek. Jeremiah 32:35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
After the children returned to Israel (some 80 years of captivity) they no longer turned to Idol worship.
Galatians 3:1O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Bewitched – To influence or affect especially injuriously by witchcraft. Paul implies that someone or something has led the Galatians away from a faith born in the Spirit and instead back into a faith “perfected by the flesh”.
Galatians 5:19-21Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
In ancient Greek, pharmakeia = the use of drugs, potions, spells, and/or poisoning, witchcraft, magical potions. Pharmakeia (sorcery) is a form of the Greek root from which we get our English words pharmacy, pharmacist, and pharmaceutical. Pharmakeia (sorcery) fundamentally has to do with drugs or medicine.
Yes, there is witchcraft practiced in the word today. ButDRUGS are more rampant, destroying far too many young lives.
Most people know that witchcraft and all associated with it are Evil, Satanic and Not of God.
ButDrugs, that’s a different matter. Very few realize Satan is behind them.
All are Evil, Satanic inspired and promoted. Astrologers, Charmer, Diviners, Divinations, Dreams, Dreamers, Enchanters, Enchantments, Magicians, Necromancer, Prognosticators, Sorcerers, Sorceries, Seers, Soothsayer, Stargazers, Witches, Wizards, Witchcraft.
Definitions:
ASTRPLOGER one who studies the Stars and how they affect mankind. CHARMER a dealer in spells, especially one who, by binding certain knots, was supposed thereby to bind a curse. DIVINER one who professes to foresee, to foretell, to predict, to prophesy DIVINATION the predictions of a Diviner DREAMER one who believes dreams can be interpreted to mean something ENCHANTER is a sorcerer or magician; one who has spirits or demons at his command; one who practices enchantment ENCHANTMENT to practice sorcery or witchcraft on anything; to give efficacy to anything by songs of sorcery, or fascination. MAGICIAN One skilled in magic; one that practices the black art; an enchanter; a necromancer; a sorcerer or sorceress NECROMANCER one who claims to communicate with the dead PROGNOSTICATORone who forecasts or predicts (something future) from present indications or signs SORCERER A conjurer; an enchanter; a magician. SORCERIES Magic; enchantment; witchcraft; divination be the assistance of evil spirits, or the power of commanding evil spirits. SEER was a professional diviner, an expert in the art of divination SOOTHSAYER one who foretells the future STARGAZER one who pretends to tell what will occur by looking upon the stars. WITCH one who has formed a compact with the Devil or with evil spirits, by whose aid he or she is able to cause all sorts of injury to living beings and to things. WIZARD was used for the person who practiced folk magic. (Witch or Wizard — Witch means a person who practices witchcraft, whereas Wizard means someone, usually male, who uses magic, mystic items, and magical and mystical practices). WITCHCRAFT the desire to know the future and control events that are not ours to control.
The story of his fall ISAIAH 14:12-15 Lucifer, his name in Heaven. Satan, His name after his fall.
Isaiah 14:12-15How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
The Lord Jesus said: Luke 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
The Apostle Paul warned: Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
The Apostle also spoke of Him: John 12:31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John 16:11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 2 Corinthians 2 :11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Devices or Wiles of Satan, The Devil: DOUBT – Many a young believer will doubt their salvation, especially when they sin, things are falling apart all around them. This is a device of the devil. God would not have us DOUBT our salvation. Romans 10:9-13That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. FEAR – another device of Satan: Fear is not of God. We should not fear death. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. And Paul (who suffered much) reminded believers to fear no man: Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. NO HOPE – HOPELESSNESS– Satanwants us to believe we have no hope, that all is hopeless. This is not from God. Remember Job? (read chapters 1-3) Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Philippians 4:7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus WORRY– another wile from Satan. He wants the believer to worry about everything. But Paul offers a solution: Philippians 4:6Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. UNFORGIVENESS – Satan would love for a believer to think they are unforgiven. But Paul reminds us that through HIS blood we have forgiveness: Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: BITTERNESS – Another trap from the devil. Bitterness or being bitter hurts our testimony. Ephesians 4:31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; HATE – Believers should not HATEsomeone. But hate sin: Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Paul reminds us of what we were: Titus 3:3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ENVY – The devil loves to get into the mind of a believer with this device: Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 2 Corinthians 12:20For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another. Philippians 1:15Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 1 Timothy 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. To defeat the DEVICES or WILES of the devil, the apostle Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Hebrew saw-tawn adversary, withstand, Satan Greek satanas the Accuser, the devil, Satan
Satan has many names and is referred to 174 times in the scripture. I. The Person: 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4 II. His origin Created by God Ezekiel 28:11-19(14) Lucifer became Satan Isaiah 14:12-20 Satan means adversary III. His present location: 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 2:2, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Job 1:7, 2:2, Revelation 12:10 IV. His Kingdom: Matthew 12:24-30(26) Ephesians 6:12, Daniel 10:10-14(13) V. His methods: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Galatians 1:6-9 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Peter 2:1-2 VI. His doom: Revelation 12:9-12, 13:2-8, 20:1-3, 20:7-10 Matthew 25:41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Names of Satan: Revelation 9:11 (1) angel of the bottomless pit (2) Abaddon (Destroyer) (3) Apollyon I Peter 5:8 (4) adversary (5) the Devil (6) a Roaring Lion Matthew 12:24 (7) Beelzebub (8) prince of the Demons II Corinthians 6:15 (9) Belial Revelation 12:9-10 (10) Dragon (11) serpent (12) Satan (13) accuser of the brethren Isaiah 14:12 (14) Lucifer (15) son of the morning John 8:44 (16) murderer from the beginning (17) father of lies Job 1:6 (18) son of God Ezekiel 28:12 (19) king of Tyre Psalms 91:3 (20) the fowler Mathew 13:4 (21) the fowls Matthew 13:19 (22) the wicked one Matthew 13:25 (23) the enemy (sower of tares) John 10:12 (24) the wolf John 14:30 (25) prince of the world II Corinthians 4:4 (26) god of this world (age) II Corinthians 11:14 (27) angel of light Ephesians 2:2 (28) prince of the power of the air Ephesians 6:12 (29) ruler of darkness II Thessalonians 2:3 (30) man of sin (31) son of perdition I Thessalonians 3:5 (32) the tempter
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Many people today, and through out history have scoffed at the idea of an evil being called SATAN. If an individual does not believe the Holy Bible then they have no reason to believe. But SATAN is mentioned by this name and several others all through the Scripture. This study will only look at the occurrences of SATAN. He is first mentioned in Chronicles where he provoked King David. 1 Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. To get an insight to the spiritual battle between God and Satan we turn to the first 2 chapters of the book of Job (Probably the oldest book in the Bible). Job 1:6-9Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Job 1:12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Job 2:1-4Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. Job 2:6-7And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. As the story continues, it looks like Satan gets the best of Job. Yes, Job suffered a lot but reading of the final chapter shows how God rewards faith. The next mention of Satan is in Psalms. It deals with the life of a wicked man. (vs 7-8 refer to Judas) Psalm 109:6Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
