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SATAN'S STRATEGY AND OUR DEFENSE - SATAN AS ACCUSER

Example: Joshua    Scripture: Zech. 3

 

SATAN’S TARGET = THE HEART AND CONSCIENCE
 

JOSHUA in Zechariah chapter 3 – is wearing filthy clothes, representing sinful Israel; a holy God should judge, but He instead cleanses and makes holy in intercession!

 

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.”  -- Rev. 12:10

 

“Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive.  For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”  -- 2 Cor. 2:10, 11                                    

 
 

SATAN’S WEAPON = ACCUSATION
 

    1)    Satan lies to us about God, but will use our sin against us in telling the truth to God to accuse us by our own heart and conscience...
 

    2)   Must distinguish between devil’s accusation and Spirit’s conviction.
 

a]  Satan accuses - makes us feel helpless and hopeless when we sin (Peter, Judas)
 

b]  Spirit of God convicts - makes a way back to fellowship by His Word and love

     “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not .to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”  -- 2 Cor. 7:10 {see also 1 Pet. 4:12-19}

 
 

SATAN’S PURPOSE = INDICTMENT BY GOD’S WILL
 

    1)    Satan wants us to have regret and remorse, but NOT repentance.
 

a]  Unforgiven guilt leads to ineffectiveness for God.
 

b]  Godly repentance leads to forgiveness and service for God.
 

‘It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles; that a man has his father’s wife!  And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.  For Indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”  -- 1 Cor. 5:1-5
 

“This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,” -- 2 Cor 2:6
(See 2 Cor. 2:7,8,11 — offer love, acceptance. Forgiveness; don’t help the Accuser)

 

OUR DEFENSE = INTERCEDING SON OF GOD
 

    1) TRUST HIM “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”  -- 1 John 2:1

    2) FORSAKE SIN “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  -- 1 John 1:9
 

SATAN’S RESISTANCE (Zech 3:1) - GODS REBUKE (3:2) – RESTORATION (3:4.5)
-------------------------------                    -------------------------       --------------------------------------

   NAMES JOSHUA’S SINS                   BY GOD’S GRACE       CARRY ON GOD’S SERVICE
 

 

“Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”  -- 1 Pet 4:19
 

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Heb. 4:16