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How do we recognize Satan’s lies?

His lying begins in Revelation 12:9… 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.

Interesting question: How does Satan bring destruction into our lives?
(For we have the power to decide our own futures.)

— He can only lead us to turn away from our Creator, Satan cannot force us to turn away.

There are many deceptions and outright lies Satan uses to lead us away from God’s blessings…

The first deception is recorded in Genesis 3:1-5 (ESV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”  (2)  And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,  (3)  but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”  (4)  But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  (5)  For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Q1. From Genesis 3:1… Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

What approach did the Serpent use to try to get Eve to leave following God’s directions?

He… a/ bragged of his cleverness.     b/ got her to doubt God’s words.     c/ used her hunger.

Q2. From Genesis 3:4-5… But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.  (5)  For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

We read of how his deceptions are expanded… Circle his attack we find here.

He…  a/ tempted her with an apple.     b/ showed her his own beauty.     c/ said God lied to her.

Q3. There is another deception used in these verses… Circle this other attack we find here.

He said…  a/ she could rule over Adam.     b/ she could be like God.     c/ he could make her rich.

* Note that the great serpent Satan doesn’t force mankind to sin, he deceives us into choosing to sin.

— This fact is repeated over and over again, for it makes us responsible for our sin, for we cannot say, “Satan MADE me do it!” That is why Satan’s forces will always use deceptions to cause us to fall.

Let’s look at some more of his deceptions…

Ephesians 2:1-2 (GNB) In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins.  (2)  At that time you followed the world’s evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God.

Fill in the blanks…

Q4. Ephesians 2:1… In the past, you were spiritually dead because of your ____________ and sins.

a/ disobedience     b/ arrogance     c/ laziness

Q5. Ephesians 2:2… At that time you followed the world’s evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now _________ the people who disobey God.

a/ assists     b/ punishes     c/ controls

Satan takes control of our lives when we choose to disobey God…

It may seem like we are taking control of our lives, just like Eve tried to in Genesis 3:5.
However, in truth, you end up serving one or the other, God or Satan. Rebellion against God means we follow our fleshly ways that always lead us into Satan’s trap.

(Pg. #2 of this quiz will examine how to avoid those traps)

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(Pg. #2) – In Matthew 24:23-27, we are told of the way to identify and reject the false christ…

(GNB) “Then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There he is!’—do not believe it.  (24)  For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God’s chosen people, if possible.  (25)  Listen! I have told you this ahead of time.  (26)  “Or, if people should tell you, ‘Look, he is out in the desert!’—don’t go there; or if they say, ‘Look, he is hiding here!’—don’t believe it.  (27)  For the Son of Man will come like the lightning which flashes across the whole sky from the east to the west.

Q6. In Matthew 24:23-24… We are told that “false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders…” – What is the purpose of these imposters?

a/ To entertain.     b/ To deceive.     c/ To create a brave new world.

Q7. In Matthew 24:26-27… We are told how to know the false christ from the returning true Christ.

How will we know the false claims from the true return of Jesus?

a/ The word will go out that the false christ has appeared at some particular place.

b/ The true return of our Lord Jesus will be evidenced everywhere on earth.     c/ both a & b

The anti-christ will be the final attempt to deceive even God-followers…

— God’s Word has not left us without instruction as to how to stay strong. As such this quiz will close by looking at Ephesians 6:10-18…

Ephesians 6:10-18 (GNB) Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.  (11)  Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks.  (12)  For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.  (13)  So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.  (14)  So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate,  (15)  and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace.  (16)  At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.  (17)  And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.  (18)  Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people.

Q8. In Ephesians 6:10 (GNB) Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. – How do we find the strength and power to overcome Satan’s deceptions?

We can do so by…  a/ gaining a B.A. in Theology.     b/ following a famous preacher.

c/ walking close to God guided by His Holy Scriptures as opened to us by His Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 6:10-18 lists battle armor that we are to put on to be able to stand and win the spiritual warfare… Check-mark the ‘armor’ you find there: – (I hope you only find 7 in these 9.)

O – Belt of TRUTH.     O – Breastplate of RIGHT-LIVING.     O – Shield of FAITH that God is over all.

O – Shoes of readiness to tell of the Good News of peace in accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord.

O – Crusades against all infidels.     O – Head-protection in trusting Jesus to be your Savior.

O – Sword of God’s Word to defeat Satan.     O – Plans to attack sin-filled leadership.

O – The leadership of the Holy Spirit, as we seek His guidance through constant prayer.

Ephesians 6:18 tells how to accomplish this… Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason, keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people.
(I will leave that command from God’s Word to lead us all on to VICTORY… KK)

Click here for a PDF copy to print Pg.#1

Click here for a PDF copy to print Pg.#2