1. Ephesians 6:10-12.

I. Meaning of Adversary – as used of Satan, it refers to an opponent of God, of Christians, and of all that is right and good.

A. Tempter. Matthew 4:3 – "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." How are we tempted? Re: James 1:13-15 – "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

B. Father of all lies. The only connection Satan has to the truth is that he opposes it. John 8:44 – "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

C. Prince of this world. John 14:30 – "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me."

D. The god of this world. II Corinthians 4:4 – "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." How does Satan work to blind the minds of men? Through materialism, through pursuit of pleasure, etc.

E. Roaring lion. I Peter 5:8 – "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" Satan’s goal is man’s destruction.

II. Method of Attack.

A. Wiles of the devil. Also translated devil’s schemes, evil tricks, method of attack.

B. Tempts in three areas. I John 2:16 – "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

C. Subtle (cunning, crafty). Genesis 3:1 – "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden." Note: "ye shall not surely die" (v4).

D. Deceives. II Corinthians 11:3 – "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." Sin promises happiness but cannot deliver.

E. Disguises himself (and his ministers). Satan is often pictured as red, with pointed tail and holding a pitchfork. But in reality, he disguises himself. II Corinthians 11:14 – "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

III. Man is Able.

A. We can win the battle. As strong and cunning as Satan may be, he is not invincible. James 4:7 – "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." How do we resist the devil? The answer is in verse eight. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."

B. Strength to overcome is in Christ. Ephesians 6:10 – "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." Re: Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

C. We ought to fill our lives so full of Christ there is no room left for the devil. Ephesians 4:27 – "Neither give place to the devil." Sadly, many give place to the devil by their carelessness.

D. Requires that we be vigilant. I Peter 5:8 – "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" To be vigilant is to watch, to be spiritually alert.

E. Requires that we put on the armor of God. Ephesians 6:11 – "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

1. As Christians we are in a war.

2. When we are familiar with Satan’s methods, we understand that we are able to be victorious.