Study Material

Chapter 3 - Know Your Enemy

Chapter Three

"Combat intelligence or knowledge of the enemy is as important for the Christian as for the military commander—both are engaged in battle."
—Rod Sargent

WHO IS OUR ENEMY?

In Revelation 12:9
1. What four names are given to our enemy?
1. What is his work?

In Revelation 12:10
1. What else is he called?
1. What does he do?

Isaiah 14:12-15 describes Satan's fall—from a place of privilege to the accursed serpent.
1. How many times in these verses did he say "I will" as he spoke of his proud ambitions?
1. To what position did he intend to exalt himself?
1. What did God say would finally happen to him?

What will be Satan's final future punishment? (Rev. 20:10)

As you review the above questions, do you conclude that Satan is a real person, an influence or a symbol of evil?

HIS POWER

What are other names for Satan?
1. Matt. 4:3
1. Matt. 9:34
1. II Cor. 4:4
1. I John 2:14

What is his objective with unbelievers?
1. II Cor. 4:3,4
1. Luke 8:12

"Satan is a subversive. He has a passion for being worshipped and will stoop to any means in luring men to serve him."

In Ephesians 2:2
1. What is Satan called?
1. What is his occupation?

In John 8:44
1. How is Satan described?
1. What did Jesus say of those who did not receive the truth of God?

What is Satan compared to in his attempts to take advantage of Christians?
1. I Pet. 5:8
1. II Cor. 11:14

"Satan promises the best, and pays the worst. He is a liar from the beginning. The foolish are deceived by him…The promised crown becomes a halter; the promised comfort a torment; the promised honor, shame; and the promised heaven a hell."

In Acts 26:18 when a person receives Christ
1. What is he turned from?
1. What is he turned to?

Consider Job 1 and 2 for a remarkable account of Satan's hatred of God's people and of his strategy and power.

HIS STRATEGY

In II Corinthians 11:3
1. What did he do to Eve?
1. What does he want to see happen to Christians?

One of Satan's best methods is to discredit God's Word. How did he do this when he deceived Eve? (Gen. 3:1-4)

"Satan makes it his continual business to cast doubt upon God's Word, and to discredit God's Son."

What does Ephesians 6:10-12 reveal about Satan? (Select correct answers.)
He is crafty.
His power is great but appears to be basically human.
He can be withstood by strong determination and willpower.
He has superhuman spiritual power.
He has other powers helping him.
He can be withstood in God's armor and strength.

From I John 2:16 what are three major areas of temptation Satan uses?
1. The desire to indulge
1. The desire to possess
1. The desire to impress

In Genesis 3:6 and Matthew 4:1-11 (Eve's temptation and Christ's), do you see any parallels with the above three temptations?

"Many have yielded to go a mile with Satan who never intended to go two, but once on their way have been unable to leave his company."
—William Gurnall

HOW HE IS OVERCOME

What did Christ's death on the cross mean for Satan? (Heb. 2:14,15)
1. For men?

How are we enabled to overcome the enemy and those he uses to deceive us? (I John 4:4)

"Safety does not depend on the absence of danger but on the presence of the Lord."

Write out II Corinthians 2:14 in your own words.

What warnings does God give us?
1. Prov. 1:10
1. Eph. 5:11,12
1. Prov. 4:14,15

What are three factors in gaining victory over Satan in each of the following passages?
1. Rev. 12:11
1. I Pet. 5:8,9

What else contributes to victory?
1. Eph. 6:16,17,18
1. Mark 14:38
1. James 4:7

What is a good defensive prayer? (Matt. 6:13)

How can the Word help us emerge victorious? (Psa. 37:31 and 17:4)

"God has ordained His Word to be a primary weapon in spiritual warfare. Jesus quoted Scripture to repel Satan's attacks. But more important than just quoting—He took His stand on the truth of those Scriptures."

What is the most important thing you have learned about Satan in this chapter?

What can you apply to your life from this chapter?