Mike Fabrez once challenged a group of preachers to prepare and preach with expectations that Satan is a foe who has an agenda for the church, the family, and individual believers. This reality should fuel prayer and passion in preaching. This tremendously challenged my perspective, and I thought I should share the truths I learned. So, what is Satan’s agenda for the church?
1. To
persecute the church
Do
not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some
of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have
tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He
who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who
conquers will not be hurt by the second death. Revelation 2:10
2. To keep the church apart
But
since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in
heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to
face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan
hindered us. 1 Thessalonians 2: 17-18
3. To promote conflict in the church
Have
nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed
quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to
everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with
gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the
truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the
devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:23-26
4. To oppose the church’s evangelism
But
rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to
appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me
and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and
from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may
turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may
receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith
in me. Acts 26:6-18
5. To
get people to depart from the doctrine of the church
Now
the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith
by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through
the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and
require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving
by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good,
and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is
made holy by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:1-3
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