"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." - 2 Corinthians 2:11
We learn from Matthew 16:21-23 that Satan opposes the
gospel.
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his
disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the
elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the
third day." - Matthew 16:21
Satan did not want Jesus to give His life and save all of
humanity.
"Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying,
Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee." - Matthew 16:22
Jesus recognized that Satan was speaking to Him through
Peter.
"But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind
me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that
be of God, but those that be of men." - Matthew 16:23
We learn two things from this:
1. Satan opposes the gospel – the death, burial, and
resurrection of Jesus. We can conclude from this that Satan does not want anyone to obey
the gospel. Thus, we can expect opposition from Satan anytime a person is going
to repent of their sins, is going to be baptized IN THE NAME OF JESUS, and is
seeking to be filled with the Holy Ghost.
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are
lost: in whom the god of this world [Satan] 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." - 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
2. Satan will use those closest to us to attack us to try to
keep us from doing God’s will. Knowing this is a tactic of Satan makes us realize
who our enemy is. It is not people - it is Satan.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities [evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world],
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against
spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;" - Ephesians 6:18
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