Scripture Text: Genesis 3:1-7
Memory Verse: Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11
Lesson Aim: To expose how the enemy attacks our minds.
Key Points: - Satan gains access into our minds through our eyes and ears. - He attacks our mind by sowing thoughts of doubt that contradict God’s Word. - To live in victory over Satan, we must know the voice of God, listen to and obey God’s Word.
Let’s look at the specific strategies that Satan uses to attack us. It was in the battle of the mind that Satan defeated Eve. First, the enemy deceives us and casts doubt into our minds about God’s Word. Satan knew that God had commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but he planted doubt in Eve’s mind. He lied to her and got her to question God’s Word. He uses the same approach today.
The first mistake Eve made was listening to Satan. She knew what God had said. After all, she had perfect memory. Yet rather than resist the devil, she listened to the devil contradict God’s Word and had a conversation with him. She began to entertain thoughts of doubt about God’s integrity and His holiness and believed the devil’s accusation that God was holding something back and did not mean what He said. Next, the enemy appealed to her eyes. The fruit looked good. Every sin starts with a thought. Thoughts lead to feelings; feelings will lead to words. Words lead to actions. Before she knew it, Eve was eating the fruit.
Thousands of years later, we find Satan approaching Jesus in much the same way. He approached Jesus by twisting God’s Word. However, this time he met more than his match. Jesus did not entertain the devil but resisted him by rebuking the devil and affirming the Word of God.
There are many Christians living in defeat because they listen to Satan’s lies. Instead of recognizing him as a liar, they continue listening, trying to reason with him, and falling into his trap. To live in victory over Satan, we must submit to God and resist the devil (James 4:7).
The enemy is an opportunist; and he is constantly looking for areas in our lives through which he can enter and dominate. Any area of our lives (including our thought life) that is not submitted to God, will be fertile ground for the enemy. When we habitually succumb to the wiles of the enemy, we establish a house of thoughts through which he can find comfort to wreak havoc in our lives.
We must know and obey the voice of God first and that comes from knowing His Word. We must recognize, by the Holy Spirit, every desire, imagination and thought contrary to God’s Word.
Questions and Discussion
- Satan came at Eve with a subtle attack that cast doubt on the authority of God’s Word. Genesis 3:1-5 How is he still using this strategy today? Discuss and give examples.
- Consider Satan’s approach when he tempted Jesus. Luke 4:1-12. What did he appeal to?
- What are the three areas that we have to contend with according to 1 John 2:16?
- How do these three areas relate to the answers of questions 1 and 2 above?
- How do the enemy’s strategies facilitate the development of strongholds?
- What can we learn from the following Scriptures? James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31; 2 Corinthians 2:9-11.