Satan's M.O.

Through this series we have not only seen the beginning of Satan and sin, but we have also discovered the evil character of the Devil. Actually keeping his personality in mind will prove helpful as we work through this material. I also want you to carefully think about his power, potential, and plan relative to our lives today. Remember, he is one of your greatest threats as a child of God. The world and the flesh are the other two.

Ultimately he lives, tricks, and deceives so that he can be worshipped as God. Beloved, this is the Devil’s M.O.—modus operandi. “M.O.” is short for this Latin phrase referring to his typical method or mode of operation. Quite frequently the police use the term when discussing crime and a criminal’s methods. In criminal profiling it can help with gaining insight into the offender’s psychology. Accordingly, the suspect’s modus operandi can lead to their identification, apprehension, or repression. Furthermore, these behavioral sketches can also be used to discover links between crimes.

Here I am referring to Satan’s habit of working; in street terms, that’s how he rolls! The primary goal in all facets of his criminal activities against us and the Lord Jesus is to have our worship. Knowing this not only enables us to beware of his strategies, but we must formulate defenses against his assaults for ourselves, our families, our churches, and businesses. Now ponder these thoughts as they help us prepare ourselves adequately for real spiritual warfare.

SATAN IS A PROUD PERSON; THEREFORE, HIS PLAN IS TO ENGENDER PRIDE.

1 Tim. 3:6, Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Paul agrees with the idea that Satan fell and his pride is the reason. The Devil was condemned and rejected by God because of his incredible arrogance. His sin was pride. He wanted to be like God, not in the sense of possessing God’s holy character, but by possessing authority equal to God’s (1 Timothy 3:6; Isaiah 14:13–15).

Satan was an exalted angelic being, one of God’s creatures, who became proud and ambitious. He determined to take over the throne of God for himself. But God removed him from his position of great dignity and honor. Read carefully Satan’s very own words expressing his desire to replace the Almighty. 

Isaiah 14:13-15, For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Ambitious, arrogant, self-centered, self-aggrandizing, and presumptuous in the extreme! This is the record of Satan’s private musings in anticipation of overthrowing the Most High God. The shocking thing is he seeks to engender the same spirit of pride and gross arrogance in others. Beware!

SATAN IS A POWERFUL PERSON; THEREFORE, HIS PLAN IS TO WORK AGGRESSIVELY AGAINST BELIEVERS.  

While we may find it difficult to do, a healthy dose of respect will help us as we fight evil and the Devil. We cannot and will not worship him under any circumstances, but we must respect his incredible power and ability.

      1.  Beware of Satan’s Desire to Engage You  in Hand to Hand Combat.

Ephes. 6:11-13, Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

I believe realizing who we are dealing with motivates us to truly rely on God’s special armor as we join the spiritual war that has been under ways since the Garden of Eden. It is vital to commit every area of personal struggle to the Lord. Ask him to arm you in whatever way is necessary so that you can withstand spiritual attacks.  

   

             A.  Because Satan Aims to Destroy Us.  He blinds the minds of unbelievers so that they might not believe the Gospel. As the ruler over all the demons, he employs them to defeat us, and he tempts us to sin (Matthew 12:24–27; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:11–12; 1 Corinthians 7:5).

             B.  Because Satan Is Extremely Powerful. He is the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). He is not God's equal in any way at all, but he is extremely powerful. Only trust the armor God provides!

      2.  Remember That Satan Is Not All Powerful - Job 1:9-12; 2:3-7; Jude 9.

Jude 1:9,  Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Rev. 20:1-3, And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. [2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, [3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.  (Also vs. 7, 10)

Satan's abilities, impressive as they are, are not limitless. His power is subject to God's restrictions (Job 1:12; Luke 4:6; 2 Thess 2:7-8). The reins of God on his activities are illustrated by Satan’s request to God for permission to afflict Job (Job 1:7-12). He cannot defeat the child of God who consistently lives according to the Word and the power of God! Remember, greater is He that is in you!

SATAN IS A JEALOUS PERSON; THEREFORE, HIS PLAN IS TO BE WORSHIPED LIKE GOD. Isa. 14: 14, “I Will Be Like The Most High.”    

This sums up the heart intent of Satan—he wants to be God. Here his counterfeit is crystal clear. Satan wanted to be like, not unlike, God. The name Elyon for God stresses God’s strength and sovereignty (Gen. 14:18). Satan wanted to be as powerful as God. He wanted to exercise the authority and control in this world that rightfully belongs only to God. His sin was a direct challenge to the power and authority of God.

      1.  This Explains Why He Sought the Worship of the Lord Jesus Christ

Matt 4:9-10, And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10, Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

As the Lord Jesus refused the Devil worship so must we. There is but one God and He alone is worthy of our worship, adoration, praise and honor. There is absolutely no one else we honor in this manner!

      2.  This Reveals His Desire for Every Man, Woman, and Child—To Become Devil Worshipers   

2 Cor 4:3-4, But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 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.

Rev. 13:3-4, And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. [4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Rev. 13:12, And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

These passages convey the Devil’s intent to blind people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, trick them into Satan worship, and they indicate incredible success for Satanism during the Tribulation Period. All of these developments are present realities, but on a smaller scale.

More and more people are involving themselves in witchcraft, the occult, and Satanism in the United States and around the world. In the state of California the Church of Satan has been formally organized since the mid-60s, and in the state of Michigan there is a Satanic Temple. The Satanic Bible was published in 1969. There are thousands of self-identified Satanists and they even have after school clubs for children. LeVey’s brand of Satanism is actually atheism; they reject any notions of a deity—they are fundamentally secularists. There is no common belief system uniting all the various groups and organizations. Some are religious, others are atheistic, while yet some are political in their orientation. Self-indulgence, a few basic tenets/creeds and an interest in magic and rituals are fairly common treads.

SATANISM AN EPIDEMIC IN WEST GERMANY

“In West Germany, the government has declared Satanism a social epidemic. More than 200,000 German youths, called "Gothic Punks," wear black clothing, camp out in graveyards, sleep in coffins, and worship Satan.”   (Plymouth Rock Foundation's FAC-Sheet, # 59, "Satanism and the Occult")

             A.  This Reveals His Personal Plans for the Future.

II Th 2:4, Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Clear statements regarding the future activities of the Anti-Christ are portrayed in the Word of God. Satan yearns for the worship of all mankind.

             B.  This is Why There is a Satanic Triad in Scripture.  Rev. 13

                        1. Satan - who seeks to usurp God the Father.   Vs 2 & 4 “Dragon”

                        2.  Antichrist -  who will imitate God the Son.   Vs 1-5 “the Beast”

                        3.  False Prophet -  who counterfeits God the Spirit.   Vs 11-16 “another Beast”

These persons are seen in Revelation 13, and they represent a false trinity of sorts.

             C.  Expect God to Judge Such Arrogance and Pride!

Prov 16:18, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Prov 11:2, When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

Prov 29:23, A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Prov 1:5-7, A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: 6, To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. 7, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

  

Clearly, God hates pride and arrogance in a fantastic way. He will confront it and deal with it wherever it is found. There is no form of pride that God sanctions. The Scriptures never present any practice of pride in a positive light. Such presumptuous arrogance is always condemned and discouraged. This is why Satan seeks to engender pride in the human heart. You see, such rebellion actually honors him while dishonoring the Most High God!

To protect our loved ones, we must not sit idly by and merely ‘hope’ our families will turn out right and continue to serve God. We must provide our families with instructions to help them live victorious over our enemy—Satan. Therefore, home training must encompass a biblical view of the person and plans of Satan as a sound defense against his attacks. This requires unwavering faith in the Lord Jesus, submission to the Holy Spirit, and a comprehension of the Word of God. In doing so, we can be certain of victory against our rootless enemy-the Devil.