OceanSide church of Christ

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Tracking the Devil
by: Dalton Gilreath

I.              Introduction

A.   Hunters learn to track their prey

                                          i.    Every animal has unique characteristics that define their tracks

                                        ii.    They come in different shapes, sizes, and depth

B.   Christians are not commanded to be hunters but they are commanded to “track” the devil

                                          i.    Satan is described as many different animals in the Bible

1.    He is a serpent

2.    He is a great dragon

3.    He is a wolf among sheep

                                        ii.    The animal we are warned about is the lion (1 Peter 5:8)

1.    Christians are to be “vigilant” or “watchful”

2.    We must be aware of Satan lurking about in our lives

C.   We cannot see Satan’s physical tracks, but we can see his spiritual ones

                                          i.    Consider the characteristics of his tracks from Genesis 3:1-6

1.    Denial of God’s Word (3:4)

a.    Satan tells Eve she will NOT die

2.    Appeal to pride (3:5)

a.    He tells her she will be like a god knowing good and evil

3.    Appeal to man’s reasoning (3:6)

a.     She sees the fruit is good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and will make her wise (cf. 1 John 2:16)

                                        ii.    We continue to see each of these characteristics throughout the entirety of the Bible

1.    Consider 1 Kings 12:1-24

a.    The prophet of Judah is told by God not to eat or drink during his mission

b.    Another prophet lies and claims that an angel told him he could eat

                                                                                          i.    The prophet of Judah listens to the lie

                                                                                        ii.    Satan denies God’s Word

2.    Consider Genesis 11:1-9

a.    The people attempt to build a tower to the Heavens instead of replenishing the earth

                                                                                          i.    They want to make a name for themselves

                                                                                        ii.    Satan appeals to their pride

3.    Consider 1 Samuel 15:1-24

a.    Saul is to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their animals

b.    Instead, he spares Agag and the best of the animals

                                                                                          i.    Saul blames it on the people because he feared their opinion

                                                                                        ii.    Satan appeals to man’s reasoning here

II.            Following the tracks in our society

A.   We can see Satan’s footprints all around us in the world today

                                          i.    Consider worship (Matt 15:9)

1.    God’s Word is denied (John 4:24)

2.    People want worship to be about them and not God

3.    People justify their vain worship with arguments

a.    They say “it will bring more people in”

b.    They say “it’s a talent I can use for God”

                                        ii.    Consider marriage (Matthew 19:9)

1.    People argue that God doesn’t really expect them to stay in an unhappy marriage

2.    They say it is acceptable to remarry for reasons other than adultery

                                       iii.    Consider discipline (Prov 23:13-14)

1.    People are calling “the rod” abuse

2.    They say it ruins the relationship and trust

3.    They believe it teaches fear and not respect

III.           Following the tracks of the LGBT agenda

A.   Denial of God’s Word

                                          i.    The Old Testament called homosexuality an abomination (Lev 20:13)

                                        ii.    The New Testament calls homosexuality a sin that will keep us from Heaven (1 Cor 6:9-11, cf. Romans 1:24-32)

1.    Paul says that homosexuality is unnatural (Rom 1:26)

2.    Paul is addressing that which is consensual and not forced (1:27)

3.    Paul also address supporting this sin as being as bad as committing it (1:32)

B.   Appeal to pride

                                          i.    People claim this is a civil rights issue

1.    Suggesting this is comparable with slavery and racism is shameful to our African American neighbors

2.    Skin color is who you are not what you do

3.    Homosexuality is an action/choice

                                        ii.    People claim this is about being happy

C.   Appeal to man’s reasoning

                                          i.    Some say animals do it and so it must be natural

1.    Animals also eat one another

2.    Animals practice mating with many other animals

a.    Would we suggest that makes these things permissible to humans?

                                        ii.    Some say, “God made me this way”

1.    God cannot be tempted with sin and He doesn’t tempt people (Jam 1:13)

a.    We are taking a temptation and claiming it gives us license

b.    We don’t argue this for other sins

c.    Everyone is tempted by something but it doesn’t mean you were born that way and can’t resist it

2.    Would we tolerate those who are “born” with a desire to practice pedophilia?

                                       iii.    Some discuss this world of hate and needing love

1.    If love becomes the only prerequisite to marriage we have opened a door we cannot close

a.    What about a man and three women who love each other?

b.    What about a child and adult who love each other?

2.    Satan uses man’s reasoning along with a denial of God’s Word, and pride to push this world into an acceptance homosexuality

                                                                                          i.    Be watchful of Satan’s tracks in your life