SATAN THE PERVERTER

Pastor James J. Barker

Text: GENESIS 3:1-19



INTRODUCTION:


  1. Last week we were studying the wiles of the devil. We saw how the devil is a deceiver (cf. Eph.6:11; I Tim.2:14; Rev.12:9).
  2. Our Lord said that the devil "is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44).
  3. So last week we focused on this aspect of Satan – that he is a deceiver and a liar. Today, I would like for us to consider another fact about the devil – he is a perverter. That is, he perverts or distorts that which has been given by God to man for his blessing and benefit.
  4. To pervert is to change something from its original or intended use. Back in the garden of Eden, Satan manifested to Eve not only the fact that he was a distorter of truth but also that he could pervert God’s program.
  5. Satan distorted and perverted God’s program by demanding obedience from Adam and Eve. And he has been trying to pervert God’s program ever since.
  6. Every time you hear about some sex perverts, keep in mind they are being blinded by the devil.
  7. Every time you see some drunken wretch lying in his vomit, remember he is blinded by the devil. The Bible says that man was created in the image of God. Satan has perverted this and has tried to destroy mankind through sin.
  8. In fact there are many, many ways in which the devil has distorted and perverted the plan of God, and so we must be on guard.
  1. THERE IS NO BLESSING FROM GOD THAT SATAN DOES NOT DISTORT FROM THE USE WHICH GOD INTENDED
    1. I already mentioned sex, and how the devil has perverted sex (homosexuality, pornography, etc.) God created men and women but Satan has perverted that which is good (cf. Heb.13:4).
    2. So we must realize that there is no gift of God which may not be perverted and distorted. Even food: It would seem difficult to distort or divert something as simple and basic as food to satanic ends but we find from the Scriptures that is exactly what has happened (cf. Col.2:20,21).
    3. It is evident from studying this passage in Paul’s epistle to the Colossians carefully that the Colossians were judging a man’s spirituality by what he ate or did not eat.
    4. And we find the same thing in I Tim.4:3,4. These false dietary restrictions are called "doctrines of devils" (4:1).
    5. What were these devils teaching? They were teaching that spirituality consists in observance of certain dietary laws, and that if you want to be spiritual and mature you could only eat certain foods.
    6. Another way the devil perverts that which is good (in this case, food) is through the sin of gluttony (cf. Deut.21:18-21; Pro. 23:1,2,20,21; I Peter 4:3). Note that gluttony and drinking are closely associated.
    7. Have you ever noticed that our biggest days are the days we serve food? Some church members need to be honest and admit that "God is their belly" (Phil.3:19).
  1. SATAN PERVERTS IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM AS WELL AS IN THE PHYSICAL REALM
    1. We have seen how Satan perverts God’s program in the physical realm: through sex, and through eating and drinking.
    2. Now let us consider how the devil perverts God’s program in the spiritual realm. Think of all the millions of people who are very religious but on their way to hell. Satan has been very effective in blinding their eyes to God’s program as revealed in the Bible.
    3. First of all, I believe the devil is behind most of these new "bibles."
    4. Second of all, the devil has his ministers preach a false gospel (Gal.1:6-9). There is "another Jesus…another spirit…another gospel" (II Cor.11:3,4).
    5. And Paul identifies these false ministers as "his (i.e. Satan’s) ministers" (II Cor.11:13-15).
    6. And the devil has his own religion also (Rev.13,17).
    7. One of the biggest battles we are facing today in the churches is over music. The devil has perverted music and many foolish churches are going along with it (Ezek.28:13).
    8. The most dangerous of all of Satan’s deceptions and perversions is in the matter of salvation. Jesus said that He is the only way to heaven (John 14:6) but the devil has substituted good works, church membership, baptism, speaking in tongues, etc.
    9. It is tragic that so many people are trusting in their false religion instead of in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a Satanic delusion.

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