Schemes of Satan-10
Why study the schemes of Satan? As mentioned many times before, we truly need to know them to not be deceived by them. Being deceived is never a ‘good’ thing. It often leads to harm, loss, or failure of some kind.
John 10:1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 10:2 "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 10:3 "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 10:4 "When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 10:5 "A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers."
Clearly in this passage, Jesus is warning the people and condemning the ‘Jews’. True believers will soon discern that they have been listening to a false shepherd. False shepherds are thieves and liars. They have no real interest in the welfare of the flock, only to fleece them for their own selfish desires.
10:6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. 10:7 So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 10:8 "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
As with most if not all of His parables, they were not understood by all. He is the door to the sheep fold, we must enter into His kingdom through Him. There is no other way! The wide road is full of thieves and robbers; killing and stealing any of the sheep that so foolishly respond to their call.
0:9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 0:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 10:11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
As Jesus made clear, He is the only way, the only door, the only truth, the only good shepherd, and the only way to eternal life.
10:12 "He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 10:13 "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 10:14 "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 10:15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
Hired hands or pastors who consider this as their job look to how to improve their own sordid gain. Jesus did lay down His perfect life so we could receive eternal life.
10:16 "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.
10:17 "For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 0:18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."
Jesus had a choice. Jesus had and has authority. Neither the ‘Jews’ or Pilate took Jesus’ life, He offered Himself for our lives. He died in the flesh so we could live with Him.
10:19 A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. 10:20 Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?" 10:21 Others were saying, "These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?"
So what schemes are in this passage? First, the professional pastors, priests, and popes lie, steal, and will kill. Second, they will try and lie about all truth tellers. They say we are crazy, they project thier demonic desires onto us, and they are not always together in all areas. They look confusing to us, but look reasonable to all who are perishing.
More next Saturday.