“Finally, BE STRONG in the Lord and in the STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to STAND against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, TO STAND FIRM. STAND therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” Ephesians 6:10-14
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” Genesis 3:1-7
POST-TRUTH:
Objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. (Oxford Word of the Year, 2016)
EXPRESSIVE INDIVIDUALISM:
“Each of us finds our meaning by giving expression to our own feelings and desires (culture of authenticity). This entails the understanding that it is important to find and live out one’s own life as against surrendering to conformity with a model that is imposed on us from outside, by society, or the previous generation, or religious or political authority.” Charles Taylor, A Secular Age, pg. 475
The Devil’s Playbook:
1. Questions the goodness/truthfulness of God (Genesis 3:1-4).
Westminster Larger Catechism: Question 7
Q: What is God?
A: God is a Spirit, in and of himself infinite in being, glory, blessedness, and perfection, all sufficient, eternal, unchangeable, incomprehensible, present everywhere, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and
ABUNDANT IN GOODNESS AND TRUTH.
We combat the attacks of the devil by rejoicing in the glory and goodness of Jesus. (John 6:35, 8:12, 10:7, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9
2. Lies in order to dethrone the kingly and benevolent rule of the Lord (Genesis 3:5).
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44
“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:15-18
Camouflages sin and hides the consequences (Genesis 3:5).
Blinds the eyes to the provision offered in the gospel.
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
“Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” Genesis 3:7
“And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21
“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:9
“Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.” Matthew 12:29
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2:15
Questions:
1. What is expressive individualism?
2. How does knowing the devil’s “playbook” (plan) prepare us for the unrelenting/ongoing battle?
3. How do we most clearly see the goodness of the Lord?
4. What lies do we most often hear and believe today?
5. Where do you go with your failures and shame (fig leaves or the cross)?
Resource Video: “Truth Rising” by Focus on the Family