Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The schemes and wiles of the evil one

I'm in the process of preparing a sermon on Ephesians 6:16 which is as follows: In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one ( ESV). In considering the fiery dart metaphor, I came across a list of attacks of Satan that were presented in a sermon on this same verse. The preacher referenced The Dictionary of Theological Terms by Alan Cairns when he delivered the list, but I have no way of verifying the accuracy of what follows in comparison to what is presented in Cairn's book. Also, the Scripture references have been added by me. That being said, here is a list of many, though not all, of Satan's activity on the earth:

  • Afflicts people – Acts 10:38
  • Dominates and captivates sinners – Acts 26:18
  • Blinds the minds of unbelievers – 2 Corinthians 4:4
  • Wrestles against the saints – Ephesians 6:12
  • Inspires lying wonders – 2 Thessalonians 2:9
  • Tempts people to sin - 2 Corinthians 11:3
  • Slanders and accuses the saints – Revelation 12:10
  • Inflict diseases - Luke 13:16
  • Opposes prayers – Daniel 10:13
  • Removes the seed of the gospel – Mark 4:15
  • Sows tares among the wheat – Matthew 13:25
  • Ruins bodies and souls – 1 Corinthian 5:5
  • Lies – John 8:44
  • Instigates sin – Acts 5:3
  • Devours souls – 1 Peter 5:8
  • Deceives – 2 Corinthians 11:14
  • Possesses men’s souls – Luke 22:3
  • Speaks through men – Mark 8:33
  • Defiles minds – Matthew 16:23
  • Ruins lives – Revelation 9:11


Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

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