The name Lucifer means "the son of the morning." (Show sun on transparency.) (Isaiah 14:12) It denotes brightness. Lucifer was a glorious leader, endowed by the Almighty God with beauty, wisdom and position. In this account, we see that he had a beautiful, melodious voice. He was extremely beautiful and adorned with precious and diverse jewels. He was the anointed cherub and priest of God. Instead of glorifying God for His endowments, Lucifer's proud heart began to swell with dreams of possessing God's kingdom.

 Isaiah 14:13‑16 "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that look upon thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms?"

Notice the pride he belches in his continuous repetition of "I Will."  Satan and his wretched army were no match for God. God's judgment is sure and Lucifer was thrown out of heaven. God stripped Satan of his position. Filled with rage and revenge, Lucifer was determined to destroy God's precious creation, man. Time was not a factor. Relentlessly, he continues to empty his cup of rage, bent on the destruction of God's creation, but God has another plan. 

GOD'S PLAN (Show cross on transparency.)

God is aware of Satan's plan to destroy His precious creation. This creation, man, was much more to God than a mere craft turned out assembly line fashion with profit His only motive. Man was God's priceless creation, fashioned and formed in His image, with companionship and friendship His motivation. Man fell from perfection when he was deceived by Satan in the paradise of Eden. God's love did not stop with the fall and death of His precious creation. He sent his Son to take the punishment for mankind's sins so they could have fellowship with God and become His children.

 WE HAVE AN ENEMY (Show lion on transparency.)

God's plan was activated, but Satan continued his plot to destroy mankind. His plan is deception and destruction. 1 Peter 5:8 "Satan is like a roaring lion going about seeking who he may devour." God has provided a plan of redemption, but He will not force Himself on anyone. Many refuse his atoning gift, while others accept it freely. Satan is much too persistent to throw up his hands in defeat when an individual is born again. No, his attack against God's new born child only intensifies. It is at this point he declares "War!"

 OUR WARFARE IS NOT WITH FLESH AND BLOOD

As God's child you are in a battle. You have an enemy, Satan. Not God. Not people. You can be certain his battle tactics will include many deceptive measures. His strategy includes using your friends and even Christian people to attack you. He wants you to believe that people are your enemy. This belief is frustrating and drains you of productivity and influence. Your one and only enemy is Satan. He is the evil culprit behind every malicious attack that will ever come into your life. It is important to pinpoint Satan as your only enemy. Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Part of the strategy of the Allied Forces during World War II was to place inflated tanks and tent facades to make the enemy believe that Allied troops were stockpiling in a specific area preparing for attack. When the enemy focused their attack on the rubber tanks and facade they were focused away from the Allies. When Satan makes you believe that people are your enemy, you will direct your energy toward them and not him. He should be the target and not people.

 HE WANTS TO DECEIVE US

Satan does not assault God's children wearing a red suit with a pointed tail. He never taps anyone on the shoulder, and explains he is going to make them sin. Instead, Satan attacks and tempts you by putting thoughts in your mind that contradict the Word of God. Thoughts like: "You're going to fail in school. You're no good. Do you really think God answers prayer?" He wants to make you doubt God's word. These thoughts are from your enemy, the devil. God instructs you to stop or pull down thoughts. Don't let those thoughts of unbelief stay in your mind. Replace them with the truth from the Word.

SPIRITUAL WEAPONS FOR A SPIRITUAL BATTLE

(Show Bible on transparency.) II Corinthians 10:3-5 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

  GOD PROVIDES ARMOR  

While Paul was in prison he wrote a letter to the churches in Ephesus. He encouraged them to walk in the victory God intended. He used an illustration that the Ephesians would quickly and completely understand, but one our modern society must carefully scrutinize or miss some of its meaning. The Roman Empire was the major world power. Proud soldiers strutting their protective armor would have been a common sight for Paul and the Ephesians. Its effectiveness was common knowledge. This prompted Paul to write in Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

 Satan as a lion prowls, seeking to devour and destroy any defenseless prey. We are not to be defenseless. We are not to become his prey. I am not trying to imply that God's children will not be attacked. The attack is certain, but the extent of subversion is directly proportional to the extent of vulnerability. In case that sounds like an algebraic equation let me explain. Picture with me a strong robust guerilla fighter. His strong muscles ripple as he steps from the lush green foliage of the jungle to meet a Sherman Tank. Sweat drips from his body as he savagely slashes at the armored vehicle with trained precision and a glimmering, sharp machete. Will he be successfully stop the armored tank? No! Although he may be strong and skillful,  he will be mowed down in the process. God has provided protection for his children, "The Armor Of God."  The efficiency rating for God's Armor far out ranks the armored tank, it has never failed. There are no casualties found wearing the whole armor.

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