1. Understanding Satan’s nature 1. Satan and demons are created beings who “fell” – rebelled against God.

2. A short history of Satan Satan created as an angel (Ezekiel 28:15) You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Satan’s Past Fall (Isaiah 14:12-14) How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! … {13} You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; … I will make myself like the Most High.” Current Time Satan’s Future (Revelation 20:10) And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

3. Understanding Satan’s Nature 1. Satan and demons are created beings who “fell” – rebelled against God. 2. Satan is not God’s equal – not infinite in any way. 3. Satan is super-intelligent – craftier than any of us. 4. Satan wants to destroy you spiritually (John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8).

4. Satan wants to destroy you. (John 10:10) The thief [Satan & followers] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (1 Peter 5:8) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

5. Satan battles against us internally. Pride Lust Anger Critical nature Bitterness Envy Greed Complaining Laziness Deceit We can perhaps control the way our sin shows externally, but in our own strength we cannot control our thoughts, motives and attitudes.

6. Spiritual battle by the Spirit’s power (Romans 8:5) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Galatians 5:16) So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

7. Recognizing Satan in our thoughts (James 3:14-17) But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. {15} Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

8. Basic Spiritual Battle 101 Living in Satan’s world SATAN CONTROLS THE “WORLD” (1 John 5:19) We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

9. Understanding how Satan works Satan knows what appeals to our sin nature. Satan and demons produce temptations and ideas through the “world” he controls (1 John 5:19). THE “WORLD” ME

10. Basic Spiritual Battle 101 Don’t love the world! SATAN CONTROLS THE WORLD (1 John 5:19) We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. WE DEFEAT SATAN BY NOT LOVING THE WORLD (1 John 2:14-16) I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. {15} Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {16} For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world.