He is called serpent, liar, murderer, beast, dragon... perhaps you have heard of the devil, BUT do you know the devil's secret identity? We should be observant enough to notice a talking snake or fire breathing dragon, but if we are not aware of his secret identity he could be standing very close to us. It is time to deal with the devil by looking him in the eye and saying the words of Jesus... "Get behind me Satan."

https://youtu.be/C5RhMou-tAY

This is Redemption Church. My name is Chris Fluitt. I am glad to share the Word of God with you today. We have an enemy. Perhaps you have heard of him? This is the final week of our series – deal with the devil.

Deal with the Devil

The devil makes deals through words, hearts, minds, and actions. Instead of a physical contract, the devil seeks a spiritual agreement.

Amos 3:3 (KJV) Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 

When we are in agreement with the devil, we have begun to walk with him… we have made a deal with the devil.

Your enemy the devil has many tactics. We looked at pride, rebellion, & deception. There are more tactics than these. We need to always be on the lookout for our enemy the devil

Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) …do not give the devil a foothold. 

You may have heard it said, “Do not let the devil ride, or he will soon insist on driving.”

This is true. Do not give the devil an opening, a foothold, or a seat in your life.

While the devil has many tactics, he also has many shapes, forms, and identities.

The secret identity of the devil

He is a serpent.  He is a dark sinister beast seeking who he may devour. He is a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44).

In Revelation 12, he appears as a “great, fiery, red dragon,” perched to devour.

…And the devil has a secret identity.  Do you know about the secret identity of the devil?

I think we would notice a talking serpent. I think we would notice a beast with many heads and horns. I am not the most observant guy, but I think a great fiery dragon would catch my attention.  …but what if this subtle satan had a secret identity that we would never expect?

This satan does not always appear was a vicious beast…

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV) For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 

The secret identity of the devil

Satan masquerades as an angel of light. Think how convincing an angel of light could be? If an angel showed up before our eyes and started speaking lies, our EYES might overrule our EARS and believe his lie.

Paul also warns us of servants of the devil who may work in the Church… They may be called…-preachers, pastors, bishops, apostles... people with titles…-people with fancy suits or robes…-people with a large following, big congregations, on TV…

Be careful! Paul warns us of a masquerading satan and to be aware of masquerading servants of satan.Satan is not always an obvious serpent.

You have probably heard this saying…Jesus chose 12 disciples and one of them was a devil

This is a reference to Judas, one of the 12 disciples, being a betrayer…

You may be surprised to learn that there was more than one devil among the 12 disiples.

Check this conversation between Jesus and Peter.

Matthew 16:15-19 (NIV) “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,