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A Portrait of Satan
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction

a.    Many believe Job is the earliest written book of the Bible

                                          i.    Interestingly, we get lots of insight about our adversary from the earliest written book and the lastest, Revelation

b.    Satan utterly loathes us and desires we join him in Hell eternally

                                          i.    We need to know about our adversary and defend against him

II.            Satan is subservient

a.    Job 1:6, 2:1

                                          i.    He is an angel who was required to present himself before God

b.    Job 1:12, 2:6

                                          i.    He could only test Job after receiving permission from God

                                        ii.    At first, he could only touch his possessions

1.    Then, God allowed him to touch his body

                                       iii.    Certainly he is the “prince” of this world and not king (John 12:31)

                                       iv.    God is greater than Satan (1 John 4:4)

1.    Satan is subservient because he answers to God

III.           Satan is smug

a.    Job 1:7-8, 2:2-3

                                          i.    He tells God that Earth is his domain

1.    As if to tell God he is in control because of his sinful work

                                        ii.    God silences him with one question, “what about Job?”

1.    Job was on Earth but belong to God

a.    How wise is our God!

2.    This is Satan’s domain in a sense (2 Cor 4:4)

a.    However, God is in control

                                       iii.    Satan wants only to be in contrast to God’s will

1.    1 John 3:8 – he sinned from the beginning

2.    We wants us to sin with him

3.    He is so prideful, or smug, he thinks he will win

IV.          Satan is sneaky

a.    Job 1:9-11, 2:4-5

                                          i.    He tries to convince God that Job only obeys because God “babies him”

1.    This was a baseless assumption, a sneaky lie

a.    Similar to what he told Eve in the Garden (Gen 3:4)

                                        ii.    Satan is a liar and a murderer (John 8:44)

1.    Again, he wants you to sin and die (Rom 5:12)

2.    He uses deception to get his way

                                       iii.    Satan accused Job in this text

1.    Rev 12:10 calls him our accuser

a.    He can’t accuse as he once did because of the cross

2.    Paul says no one can bring a charge on God’s elect (Rom 8:33)

V.           Satan is savage

a.    Job 1:13-19

                                          i.    Satan hits Job over and over again repeatedly and mercilessly

1.    He has his oxen and servants killed

2.    Before he can process it his sheep are destroyed

a.    Then his sheep immediately following

3.    Lastly, his children are taken from him

a.    Could you imagine?

                                        ii.    Why would anyone serve such a savage, ruthless being?

1.    The life of a sinner is “hard” (Prov 13:15)

a.    This word means barren and desolate

2.    Don’t follow Satan to his eternal home

a.    Hell was prepared for him, not you (Matt 25:41)

VI.          Satan is systematic

a.    Job 2:9

                                          i.    Why didn’t Satan kill Mrs. Job?

1.    He had other plans for her

2.    He knew she would discourage Job

                                        ii.    We must be able to stand against the devils “wiles” (Eph 6:11)

1.    The word is better rendered, “methods”

                                       iii.    Don’t let Satan use you as he did Job’s wife

1.    Don’t resist God’s will and be used (Matt 16:22-23)

2.    Don’t resist forgiving others and be used (2 Cor 2:10-11)

3.    Don’t retain arrogance and be used (Luke 22:31ff)