Know Your Enemy - Our Enemy's Origin Story
1 Peter 5:8 CSB -8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
1. HE WAS *CREATED, BUT *CORRUPTED
Ezekiel 28:14-16 – 14 You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you. 16 Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.
Isaiah 14:11-13 – 11 Your splendor has been brought down to Sheol(hell), along with the music of your harps (worship). Maggots are spread out under you, and worms cover you.” 12 Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. You said to yourself, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly, in the remotest parts of the North.
Luke 10:17-18 – 17 The seventy-two , returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning."
2. HE’S *INFLUENTIAL, BUT NOT *EQUAL
Ephesians 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
3. HE IS *DETERMINED, BUT *DEFEATED
Hebrews 2:14 – 14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death is, the devil.
James 4:7 – 7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.