Schemes of Satan-6

A scheme could be defined as a devious or deceitful plot or ploy. A device to do evil without being truly noticed. That is exactly how Satan operates in his world. Why do I say it is his world? Because GOD tells us that it is his world, even while it remains totally under GOD’s sovereign control.

1 John 5:19  We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 

Ephesians 2:1  And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2:2  in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 

Matthew 4:8  Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 4:9  and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 4:10  Then Jesus *said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 

Revelation 12:9  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.

Clearly Satan has been given power over this world which is the main reason that the world is quickly falling into greater and greater depravity. Satan has indeed turned sin into a virtue.

John 8:48  The Jews answered and said to Him, "Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" 

8:49  Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 

Slander and character attacks are among Satan’s schemes as he seeks to discredit all truth tellers. They continually lie about Jesus until the people begin to believe their lies. This is the world of propaganda today.

8:50  "But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 8:51  "Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death." 

8:52  The Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, 'If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.' 8:53  "Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?" 

Exactly, who did Jesus make Himself to be known as? He is the long-awaited Messiah of Israel. He is eternally GOD and therefore has no beginning or end. They all could know this but they don’t want to know it or believe it. Religion solely based on man’s traditions has no time to GOD in person.

8:54  Jesus answered, "If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, 'He is our God'; 8:55  and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. 

Once again Jesus challenges them directly. He calls them liars to their faces. He clearly calls GOD His Father and that He knows Him and keeps His word. There can be no confusion about this. Plus His miracles attest to it as well.

8:56  "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." 8:57  So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"  8:58  Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." 

He now states He was before Abraham. This they cannot believe because to them He is just someone from poor parents in Nazareth. He may be a reasonable teacher, He may even be a healer, but He cannot be GOD!

8:59  Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. 

Even though they cannot kill anyone, they still try. But, it was not His time and so He left them in their sins. Killing truth tellers is their last resort. They will no tolerate being called out, being exposed for their lies and hypocrisy, or any challenges to their power and positions.

That is exactly the world we now live in. Satan has deceived the whole world, except all true believers and followers of Jesus Christ. Has he deceived you?

More next Saturday.