The Schemes of Satan-23
Satan is the master of lawlessness. In fact, the man of lawlessness is the antichrist. Of course, many antichrists have already come and gone and will continue to do so until the prophesied antichrist will finally appear.
Disobedience is one of Satan’s more subtle schemes which has penetrated most religious institutions known as churches. Teaching that grace is all you need and that the Law has been abolished, leads to lawlessness. Has Jesus really abolished the Law?
Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'
John 14:15 "If you love Me (Jesus), you will keep My commandments.
It is quite apparent that Jesus is not abolishing the Law. What did He say about the Law?
Matthew 5:17-18 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Jesus perfectly obeyed the Law. He was the single example of the perfection of the Law. He fulfilled all of God’s righteous requirements contained within the Law. No the Law was not abolished with grace.
More on lawlessness versus grace next time.
THe Schemes of Satan-22
Satan is not above murder and the silencing of those who steadfastly proclaim the gospel. You may notice that ISIS publicly beheads ‘Christians” not Hindus, Buddhists, or atheists. Satan is only interested in destroying God’s people who confess Jesus as Lord.
1 Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Satan hasn’t softened his approach, mended his ways, or given up. His first attempt at destroying all opposition was evidenced at Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.
We can trace his murderous schemes back to the Garden, but we see here his real desire is to not let Jesus fulfill prophecies or be resurrected after suffering on the cross. Satan uses mankind to perform his dirty work. Here he used Herod, later he will use Judas, the Pharisees, and Pilate.
Luke 22:3-6 And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.
Satan took it upon himself to personally tempt Jesus and now he enters into Judas to make sure all the details of his plan are put into place.
Matthew 26:47-49 While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him." Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
Judas performed his role by kissing Jesus on the cheek. What hypocrisy.! He had done everything Satan had instructed him to do. What happened to Judas after he had finished Satan’s bidding?
Matthew 27:3-5 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!" And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. Satan has no more use of Judas and so he discarded him like yesterday’s garbage. He basically did the same to Herod.
When you can no longer advance his evil agenda and schemes, he abandons you to the pit, where one day he will join you for eternity. He lets you die for him. While Jesus died for you.
The Schemes of Satan-21
Satan is a discourager and an accuser of all who believe. While Satan cannot take away eternal life, he can ruin your testimony, family, and your desire to serve the Lord. When you take your eyes off of Jesus, Satan moves in. Satan has a very low opinion of everyone’s faith. His network of demons, evil spirits, and fallen angels all feed him the information on you to accurately accuse you before the Father in Heaven.
Zecariah 3:1-5 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel.
Satan was poised to show God just how sinful Joshua really was, but God was showing Satan how He viewed Joshua.
He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him." Again he said to him, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes." Then I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by.
Revelation 12:9-10 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
It is very hard to understand, even impossible, why Satan is permitted into Heaven to accuse believers in front of God. But, Satan doesn’t wait till we are in Heaven to accuse us and discourage us. He can continue to bring people in our lives that remind us of our old life, our past sins, our past addictions, etc. that make us falsely believe that we can never escape our past. That our new life in Christ is just a myth but not a reality. But, he is wrong. Don’t let Satan steal your joy in the Lord.
Psalm 71:23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; And my soul, which You have redeemed.
Psalm 95:1 O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Psalm 105:43 And He brought forth His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout.
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Jude 1:24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
The Schemes of Satan-20
After deceit, Satan often uses delay or no hurry or worry. You may have heard this said that you always can think about this at some future better time. God never has told us that, in fact, He has warned us in many ways just how fragile our life on this earth is in reality.
James 4:13-14 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
Many make all kinds of plan with little thought about God and what He has commanded us to do. A vapor or wisp of smoke vanishes very quickly and cannot be recaptured. This is life.
Luke 12:16-21 And He (Jesus) told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'
"Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."'
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'
"So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
What is Jesus teaching us? He is not condemning the rich. He is not against planning for the future. He is condemning this rich man for forsaking Him and planning everything around himself. What he could do for himself with all this money is the world’s answer for everything. But, you can’t take it with you and without God, you are a fool destined to Hell.
2 Peter 3:7-12 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!
In Spanish they say, siempre manana, or there is always tomorrow. But, is this true? It is not true in reality of the Day of the Lord, when He returns in judgment. It is also not true for humans. Everyone will die sometime, often a time they have not anticipated.
Evolutionists confidently say that the world is very old and it has always existed. It will also continue to go on for a very long time. God says that is not true. Sinners misunderstand God’s patience and long-suffering. His time is not our time. We are confined to our time-based existence while God is totally outside of time. People proclaim nothing has changed and never will. God says He will destroy this earth by fire. Who do you believe?
Jesus will return like a thief in the night or at a time you will least expect Him. Most aren’t even looking for His return. They are lost.
Hebrews 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, We get just one lifetime and then judgment. The lifetime we get from God is given one day at a time. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.
The cemeteries are full of people who had other plans for the day of their death. Let today be the day of your salvation.
The Schemes of Satan-19
Now that we know Satan has power over many things, we will see how often we have been warned not to be deceived by him.
Matthew 24:23-25 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or 'There He is,' do not believe him. "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. "Behold, I have told you in advance.
This is contained in one of Jesus’ last warnings to His apostles. In the end times, which are fast approaching, there will be such signs and wonders, only the few true believers will be able to see them as the work of Satan. Everyone else on the wide road will think they are from God, from aliens, random acts of nature. or a secret super race of vastly intelligent beings that have been here all the time. Whatever the deception, 95% of the world will buy into it.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-10 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.
Those who are perishing on the wide road to destruction will gladly worship and obey the lawless one. He will do great signs, promise peace, centralize all religions into one, oversee a one world system of government, banking, and commerce, and not tolerate any who don’t blindly follow him. The remnant will be persecuted as he kills off all opposition.
True Christians will be the hated and hunted. But, God remains in control and reigns in sovereign omnipotence over Heaven and earth.
The Schemes of Satan-18
Satan has demonstrated his power of deception throughout the Bible. In addition, he does have earthly powers that are quite disturbing. The only comfort we have is that he remains under God’s sovereign control and authority. However, this doesn’t in any way diminish his demonic, evil plans to deceive the world.
Another example of his power was provided in his temptation of Jesus. We will look at the whole story to insure we maintain context. We have looked at this passage before to reveal his boldness, but now we will look at his power.
Luke 4:1-13 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.
And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.'"
We just need to remember just how bold and confident Satan is as he attempts to tempt the Son of God. Jesus will soon be given total authority over everything, yet Satan acts as if he is in control.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them (His apostles), saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. "Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"
Imagine, Satan brought Jesus to a place and then made it possible for them to see all the kingdoms of the world! How could he do this? We don’t know, but he did.
And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU,' and, 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" And Jesus answered and said to him, "It is said, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"
Satan transported both of them from the desert to the very top of the Temple in Jerusalem. They didn’t walk and then climb, they were instantly transported through the air. It would appear that they would not have been seen either.
When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. Satan is himself deceived. He actually tried to tempt God and believed he could. He also believes the world is his alone, but it isn’t. Nevertheless, he acts with boldness, power, and demonic evil toward all who are in his way of deceiving the world.
His power is not to be dismissed or ignored, but also for those truly ‘in Christ’, not to be feared.
The Schemes of Satan-17
Satan’s deceptive powers include signs and wonders. What kind of power does he have? What can he do? We will first consider the story of Job.
Job 1:8-12 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD.
The story starts in Heaven, as God brings attention to His servant Job. You should take note that Satan remains under the sovereign control of God, even as he plans evil toward a servant of God.
Job 1:13-22 Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
In rapid fire succession, Job hears news that goes from bad to worse. All of these messengers arrived at about the same time. Job did not have time to take a breath or even let it all sink in before another messenger started telling his sad story. Satan had the power and approval of God to bring his servants, the Sabeans and Chaldeans, to attack Job. Satan also caused fire to come down from heaven and for a mighty wind to cause the death of all of his children.
It would be hard to discern just who created all of this mayhem. It is clear that Satan can bring many of the natural forces to bear in his desire to destroy God’s servants and direct worship toward himself.
We will look at another example of Satan’s power next time.
The Schemes of Satan-16
In order for Satan to deceive the entire world, he must enlist many deceivers to join him in his evil schemes.
Titus 1:10-11 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.
Here we read that there are many deceivers who teach error. We also read that one of their motives is money, sordid money. It is sordid because they have evil motives and lead people to Hell rather than to Heaven.
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
Again we read that many have gone out or are out. As they teach lies and do not acknowledge that Jesus is truly the long promised Messiah, they are against Him or antichrist.
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Some of these false teachers and preachers know exactly what they are doing, while others are deceived even as they deceive. Every part of our world today is both deceived and deceiving. Not one part of our society today exemplifies truth. The rush to irradicate God from all public life is proof of the power of Satan’s schemes to deceive.
The Schemes of Satan-15
Satan’s deceptions have deceived the many while only the few can truly see them for what they are. Once someone is deceived, Satan now has them under his control. He will then use them to deceive others. Let us read about just such a scheme.
Acts 5:1-11 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet.
This story took place very early in the life of the church. Satan didn’t waste any time to try and penetrate the church with deceivers.
But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? "While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
Ananias and Sapphira had seen the selfless donations of others and the praise they had received. They desired the praise but not at that cost. So Satan had deceived them into trying to deceive the Apostles. This proved to be false, as God was protecting the development of His church and would not let Satan gain this early foothold. Unfortunately, Satan has persisted and perfected his deceptive schemes and the ‘church’ today is completely deceived.
Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?" And she said, "Yes, that was the price." Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well." And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Sapphira had memorized her part, but did not know that God has exposed their deception and taken her husband’s life. Peter gave her the opportunity to tell the truth, but she clung to the lie.
And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.
Fear can be a very good thing. Fear can keep us from danger and even death. God doesn’t kill every sinner immediately. But, all sin will be accounted for on the terrible Day of the Lord. Escaping earthly punishment is not a sign of innocence.
God will not be mocked and will punish all unrepentant sinners. This was a very vivid example of God’s knowledge and displeasure with sin.
The Schemes of Satan-14
Some biblical examples of Satan’s attempts and success will help us gain further understanding of his scheme to deceive. Today’s example will detail King David’s failure to obey God, but instead fall for Satan’s lies.
1 Chronicles 21:1-17 Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan, and bring me word that I may know their number." Joab said, "May the LORD add to His people a hundred times as many as they are! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why does my lord seek this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt to Israel?"
The first problem we see is that it was well known that God prohibited kings from taking count of the earthly strength of their armies. Even though Joab warned David, David went ahead with his disobedience. Only God can command a census, which He did in Exodus 30:11-14. In Deuteronomy 17, God warns kings not to acquire or count horses. This would only lead kings to pridefully believe that they are capable of defending the nation and would lessen their fear of God and dependence on God.
Nevertheless, the king's word prevailed against Joab. Therefore, Joab departed and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem. Joab gave the number of the census of all the people to David. And all Israel were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword; and Judah was 470,000 men who drew the sword. But he did not number Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king's command was abhorrent to Joab.
This provides us with some idea of the size of the nation at this time. But, while we may think of many ‘good’ reasons for this sinful act, it remains a sinful act. How could Satan deceive and trick David, a man after God’s own heart, to disobey God? Again, we read that Joab considered this a great sin. How did God view this sin?
God was displeased with this thing, so He struck Israel. David said to God, "I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly." All of a sudden, David is made aware of his own sin. Joab’s warnings did not overcome his desires, but now he was overcome with guilt.
The LORD spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying, "Go and speak to David, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "I offer you three things; choose for yourself one of them, which I will do to you."'" So Gad came to David and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Take for yourself either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the LORD, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.' Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me."
What a series of choices, none of which would relieve David from the consequences of his sin. God demanded a payment.
David said to Gad, "I am in great distress; please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man." So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel; 70,000 men of Israel fell. And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it; but as he was about to destroy it, the LORD saw and was sorry over the calamity, and said to the destroying angel, "It is enough; now relax your hand."
This is a very real reminder that our sin can have a very profound effect on others. We never truly sin in a vacuum. While some may decry God’s injustice, we need to once again remind ourselves that God does not punish innocent men. The number of 70,000 may seem exorbitant or excessive, but it does reveal the infinite distance between sinful man and a holy God.
And the angel of the LORD was standing by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. Then David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, covered with sackcloth, fell on their faces. David said to God, "Is it not I who commanded to count the people? Indeed, I am the one who has sinned and done very wickedly, but these sheep, what have they done? O LORD my God, please let Your hand be against me and my father's household, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.
David’s heartfelt confession is one which we need to follow. The time for confession and repentance is immediately after we have sinned. The time for turning from sin is at the very moment of its conception or contemplation.
Satan has no fear of deceiving God’s anointed King. He has no fear of tempting the Son of God. He has no fear of us either.
The Schemes of Satan-13
We should first agree on what is deceit. Lies are the very basis of every form of deceit.
You lie when you avoid the truth, exaggerate the truth, disguise or alter the truth or cast doubt on the truth. In a U.S. court of Law, you have to solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. At one time in our history this phrase would end with..." so help you God", which has now been mostly replaced with..." under pains and penalties of perjury".
Lying and deceit are two sides of the same coin. A lie may be defined in a number of ways, but in every way, a lie is a form of deceit, a type of deception, and an attempt to deceive. A lie is one of the means by which one is deceived. Some definitions of a lie include;
An untrue assertion expressed as truth. ·
To deny others access to knowledge to which they are entitled.·
A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth.
A lie then can be best described as a deliberate misrepresentation of the truth to advantage someone at the expense of another.
Are there any biblical examples of this? Yes, many! In the last post, we read how God was going to take the kingdom from the line of David due to the sins of Solomon. Jeroboam was anointed to be the king over the 10 northern tribes, leaving only 2 to Solomon’s son.
1 Kings 12:25-33 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and lived there. And he went out from there and built Penuel.
Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. "If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will return to their lord, even to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah."
So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt." He set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan.
Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi.
Jeroboam instituted a feast in the eighth month on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast which is in Judah, and he went up to the altar; thus he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves which he had made. And he stationed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
Then he went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised in his own heart; and he instituted a feast for the sons of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense.
Jeroboam, rather than trusting God, who gave him his kingship, Jeroboam consciously, deliberately created his own religion. He took some of his religious ideas from all the idolatry that Solomon brought into Israel.
People will follow almost any leader that comes into power, especially those who lead them into false worship. Just like sheep, people are easing deceived by their own lusts, desires, and material pleasures. What did God think about all of this?
1 Kings 13:1-6 Now behold, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD, while Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. He cried against the altar by the word of the LORD, and said, "O altar, altar, thus says the LORD, 'Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.'" Then he gave a sign the same day, saying, "This is the sign which the LORD has spoken, 'Behold, the altar shall be split apart and the ashes which are on it shall be poured out.'"
Now when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, "Seize him." But his hand which he stretched out against him dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. The altar also was split apart and the ashes were poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.
The king said to the man of God, "Please entreat the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me." So the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him, and it became as it was before.
What have we just read?
First, Jeroboam was actually worshiping the god he created.
Second, although he knew of God, he had no fear of God nor of His messengers.
Third, when the warning became reality, who did Jeroboam cry out to? He asked the prophet to entreat his God. It is quite apparent that the God of the universe was not his god.
Unfortunately, Jeroboam learned nothing from this encounter.
1 Kings 14:1-14 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick. 1Ki 14:2 Jeroboam said to his wife, "Arise now, and disguise yourself so that they will not know that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh; behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who spoke concerning me that I would be king over this people. "Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy."
Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. Now the LORD had said to Ahijah, "Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. You shall say thus and thus to her, for it will be when she arrives that she will pretend to be another woman."
When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway, he said, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why do you pretend to be another woman? For I am sent to you with a harsh message. "Go, say to Jeroboam,
'Thus says the LORD God of Israel, "Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel, and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you—yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight; you also have done more evil than all who were before you, and have gone and made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back— therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone.
"Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs will eat. And he who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat; for the LORD has spoken it."' "Now you, arise, go to your house. When your feet enter the city the child will die. "All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam's family will come to the grave, because in him something good was found toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. "Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam this day and from now on.
The deceiver deceived himself. Jeroboam sought God only when his god could not help him. Of course, his god couldn’t help anyone. Yet, he knew exactly what to do, who to go to, and which god to seek. But, God will not accommodate the prayers of those who don’t fear and worship Him alone.
This is exactly what happens today. People go about their lives content until some problem arises. It is then and only then, they realize that only God can solve their problem. But, God will not solve their problem but will let them know of an even bigger problem.
They will not only suffer the earthly consequences of their sin, but will also suffer the eternal consequences of their sins. Yet, they persist in their pursuit of their own gods. They are hopelessly deceived.
You need to seriously examine your beliefs,which may indeed be based on very convincing, subtle lies; these lies have been perpetuated for many years, even centuries. The oldest lies are the hardest to overcome. The lies, which are continually promoted as truth, are very difficult to determine. The lies that appeal to our sensual, sinful natures are extremely hard to resist. The lies, that go unchallenged and unquestioned for years, are thereby nearly impossible to refute.
The Schemes of Satan-12
Satan is most known as a deceiver. It is one of his most successful schemes. It is so pervasive, we will need more than one day to adequately study it. But, first we need to have a biblical understanding of the nature of sin and its far-reaching influence.
People often have an unreal belief in their own goodness. Many say they just need to trust their heart. God says that is the wrong thing in which to place your trust.
Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Jeremiah 49:16 "As for the terror of you, The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock, Who occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle's, I will bring you down from there," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah was the prophet who actually lived during the fulfillment of his prophecies. Judah was taken into captivity during his lifetime.
It is clear, if we are truly being honest with ourselves, that we are easily deceived. The Bible is full of examples to support this truth. A few should suffice to confirm what God has told all of us. It all started or better said, restarted with Solomon. The whole book of Judges goes into great detail of God’s chosen people being deceived.
1 Kings 11:9-13 Now the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not observe what the LORD had commanded. So the LORD said to Solomon, "Because you have done this, and you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. "Nevertheless I will not do it in your days for the sake of your father David, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. "However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen."
The wisest and richest man to ever live started right but in the end did evil against God. He was deceived by his 1100 wives and concubines who he let build alters to their idols within Israel. He was slowly led away from God by the very women he brought into Israel. His sexual lusts blinded his eyes and heart, which eventually blinded his mind.
Where did all of this lead? It is a very sad story that we will continue with next time.
The Schemes of Satan-11
The second tactic or scheme of Satan is one of discouragement. He is our accuser before God. He doesn’t know our hearts, but he knows our words and deeds. He only has to inform God of what we have said or done to accuse us of being evil, sinful, and not worthy of salvation. How many people do you know who believe that God could never, would never love them? As many sink even deeper into depravity and sin, they continue to think they are beyond hope.
Revelation 12:9-10 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
Satan believes that everyone is just like him. They only seek God for what He can do for them or what He would give them.
Job 1:8-11 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."
Here he in effect, challenges God as to who knows Job better. He is clearly accusing Job of false worship.
Zechariah 3:1-2 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
Satan is so bold that he accuses men in the very presence of God. But we have an advocate in Jesus, who sits at God’s right hand. Yes, Satan can bring accurate charges to God about us, demanding God to punish sin and sinners. But, true Christians are safe in the hands of God.
The Schemes of Satan-10
The first of Satan’s schemes is to distract people from God by giving them activities that draw them in and leave God out. The first of these is sports. Invented nearly 3000 years ago by the Greeks, sports now is internationally a gigantic industry and pastime. Instead of teaching our children about God, parents now encourage them to be involved in a endless pursuit of sports.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 "You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. "You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your sons may be multiplied on the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens remain above the earth.
God never commanded anyone to participate in sports. Yet, today even ‘churches’ have large sports ‘ministries’! Sports span all seasons, times of day, venues, degrees of expertise, ages, sexes, and lengthy time commitments. All of this to promote team work, personal achievements, fame, fortune, physical acumen, scholarships, and bragging rights of the parents. Sports is both for participates and spectators. The crazed emotional support of teams and individuals borders on worship. It is $74+billion a year industry in the U.S.
As the world becomes less and less biblical and more and more idolatrous, it has not become better. It is not more ethical, moral, law-abiding, or concerned with needs of others. Whose will is being done with all this frenzied, fanatical pursuit of sports? Not God’s will.
The Schemes of Satan-9
The schemes of Satan are vast and varied. As recorded in Revelation, Satan will ultimately deceive the entire world. This would be the signs of the coming Day of Judgment. How close are we to these end times of terrible wrath and judgment?
Satan’s schemes will be revealed among these categories.
Distraction
Discouragement
Deception
Delay
Diversion
Destruction
Dishonor
Disobedience
We will also strive to determine the level of his success in the primary areas of our daily lives.
Government
Education
Religion
Business
Science
Entertainment
Medicine