West Side Church of Christ - Elkton Ky | Satan's Playbook (From Our 7-27-25 Worship)

Satan's Playbook (From Our 7-27-25 Worship)

July 31, 2025 / 01:13:50/E49

Watch the Video Version Here: https://youtu.be/rOj0vYRU028

Summary:
The speaker shares a real-life story of Scott Thompson, former Yahoo CEO, who lied on his resume about having a computer science degree—despite already being highly qualified. He lost his job when the truth came out.

This story illustrates how lying doesn’t pay and introduces the root of lies: Satan is the source of lies.
Key Scripture:
John 8:44 (ESV)
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
The main goal: To help Christians recognize Satan’s tactics (his “playbook”) and avoid being deceived.

Section 1: Satan’s Modus Operandi (How Satan Operates)

1. Satan is a Deceiver

Revelation 12:9 (ESV)
"And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
Deception = Pulling people off God’s path.
Example: Like a billboard on the side of the road distracting travelers from their true destination.
Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
Satan works to pull us off the “narrow path.”

2. Satan is a Schemer

Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."
He constantly plots, tricks, and sets traps.
Job 1: Satan tries to prove to God that Job only serves Him because he is blessed.

3. Satan Disguises Himself

2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV)
"And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light."
Satan doesn’t always appear obviously evil; sometimes his temptations seem good or reasonable.

4. Satan is an Accuser

Revelation 12:10 (ESV)
"And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, 'Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.'"
Satan accuses believers before God, but God knows us and loves us.

5. Satan is a Tempter

1 Thessalonians 3:4-5 (ESV)
"For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain."
He tempts us at our weakest points (e.g., tempting Jesus with bread after fasting).

6. Satan Seeks to Capture and Ensnare

2 Timothy 2:25-26 (ESV)
"...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."
Like a fisherman uses bait to catch fish, Satan lures us with temptations.

7. Satan Seeks to Devour

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
His ultimate goal is destruction.

Section 2: Satan’s Rolodex of Lies

Satan customizes his lies to suit different types of people:

A. Lies for Those Who Don’t Care About God

“God’s Word Isn’t True.”
- Genesis 3: The original lie to Eve.
- People treat the Bible as just a fairy tale or book of morals.
“You Can Define Truth for Yourself.”
- Romans 1:28-32 (ESV)
  "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done... Though they know God's righteous decree... they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."
- Moral relativism and “my truth/your truth” thinking.
“You’re Fine Without God.”
- Luke 12:16-21 (ESV, Parable of the Rich Fool)
  "And he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’... But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’"
- Material success leads to pride and self-sufficiency.
“Just Fit In—Don’t Stand Out.”
- Matthew 7:13-14 (see above)
- Pressure to conform, avoid being “too religious.”
“You Have Plenty of Time.”
- 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
  "For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
- The lie of procrastination: “You can serve God later.”

B. Lies for Those Who Want to Follow God

“You Can’t Be Forgiven.”
- Romans 7:24-25; Romans 8:1 (ESV)
  "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?... There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
- Guilt and shame as tools to keep you from God.
- Example: Judas (Matthew 27:3-5): He despaired and gave up.
“You’re Too Weak to Resist.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
  "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
- The feeling of failure and hopelessness.
“This Is All Your Fault.”
- Matthew 13:24-28 (ESV, Parable of the Weeds)
  "...An enemy has done this."
- Self-blame and despair.
“You Can’t Change.”
- Ephesians 4:17-20 (ESV)
  "Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds... But that is not the way you learned Christ!"
- The lie of permanence: “This is just who you are.”

C. Lies for Christians

“You’re Saved, So Nothing Else Matters.”
- Romans 6:1-2 (ESV)
  "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!"
- The error of “cheap grace” or “easy-believism.”
“You Can’t Make a Difference.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:21-22 (ESV)
  "The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’... On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable."
- Feelings of uselessness or insignificance.
“That’s Not Really a Sin.”
- Galatians 2:11-14 (ESV)
  (Paul rebukes Peter for hypocrisy)
- Rationalizing or excusing sinful behavior.
“Sin Won’t Hurt You.”
- Romans 6:23 (ESV)
  "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
- Underestimating sin’s consequences.
“God Is Holding Out on You.”
- Luke 15:29-31 (ESV, Prodigal Son’s older brother)
  "'Look, these many years I have served you... yet you never gave me a young goat...' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.'"
- Envy, resentment, and bitterness.
“You’re All Alone.”
- 1 Kings 19:9-18 (ESV, Elijah’s despair)
  (Elijah feels alone, but God assures him there are 7,000 faithful)
- Isolation and loneliness as tools of discouragement.
“Listen to These New Ideas.”
- Acts 20:28-30 (ESV)
  "...fierce wolves will come in among you... and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them."
- False teachings and “new” doctrines that stray from scripture.

Encouragement and Call to Action

You have the power to recognize and reject Satan’s lies.
Romans 6:12-18 (ESV)
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions... But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness."
You can change—it will not always be easy, but God is faithful.
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
You do not have to be perfect—just committed to being His.
The invitation: If you need help, prayer, or want to become a Christian, God loves you and there is help available.

Satan's Playbook (From Our 7-27-25 Worship)

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