Goals Of Satan

Goals Of Satan

Introduction (1 Peter 5:6–8)
Peter warns that the adversary “walks about like a roaring lion.” This lesson sets forth Satan’s goals against the soul and the Scriptures that equip us to resist with humble faith and steadfast obedience.

Satan’s Reality and Aim
Scripture presents Satan as personal and active. He is called the adversary, the devil, the evil one, the accuser, the father of lies, and a murderer from the beginning (Job 1:6–12; John 8:44; Revelation 12:9–10). He studies habits, seeks weak moments, and moves when vigilance fades (1 Peter 5:8). His aim is the ruin of faith, the dividing of Christ’s people, and the loss of souls.

Goal One: Keep You Out of Christ’s Church
Satan works to block the gospel from reaching the heart. The Lord adds the saved to one body, the church (Acts 2:41–47; Ephesians 4:4–6; Matthew 16:18). All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). In baptism we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). If a soul remains outside of Christ and His body, the blessings of grace are missed.

Goal Two: Pull You Away From the Church
When a person obeys the gospel, Satan seeks to draw that soul back into the world. Temptation springs from desire and leads to sin and death (James 1:13–15). Delay hardens the heart (Acts 24:25). The love of the world competes with love for God (1 John 2:15–17). Harsh words, rumors, and bitterness wound fellowship (Hebrews 12:15). Scripture warns of the end of those who turn back (2 Peter 2:20–22; Hebrews 6:4–6).

Goal Three: Render You Idle In the Church
If he cannot keep you out or draw you out, he aims to make you fruitless. Neglect of assemblies weakens faith and hope (Hebrews 10:24–25). A closed Bible leaves zeal without knowledge (2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 10:1–3). A silent prayer life removes the soul from its greatest help (Philippians 4:6–7). Withholding cheerful service starves the work (2 Corinthians 9:6–8). Critical talk tears down what love is building (Ephesians 4:29–32).

Common Lures He Uses
Money and covetousness (1 Timothy 6:9–10). Pride and the hunger for praise (Romans 12:3; John 12:42–43). Pleasure without boundaries (Matthew 16:26; Colossians 3:1–4). False teaching that imitates light (Matthew 13:24–30; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15). Hindrances that slow evangelism and unity (1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Corinthians 1:10–13).

God’s Provisions For Victory
Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand; cast every care on Him (1 Peter 5:6–7). Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee (James 4:7–8). Put on the whole armor of God—truth, righteousness, gospel readiness, faith, salvation, the word, and prayer (Ephesians 6:10–18). Continue steadfastly in teaching, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and prayers (Acts 2:42–47). Hold to sound doctrine that exposes the lie (2 Timothy 4:2–4). Remember the soul outweighs the whole world (Matthew 16:26). Christ has broken the power of death (Hebrews 2:14), and believers overcome by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11).

Goals Of Satan Sermon Outline:

• Text: 1 Peter 5:6–8
• Thesis: Satan aims to exclude, recapture, or neutralize the soul; God supplies grace and armor to overcome.
• I. The Adversary Identified
  • Personal, active, limited by God (Job 1:6–12; John 8:44; Revelation 12:9–10; 1 Corinthians 10:13).
• II. Goal One: Keep You Out of the Church
  • One body under one Lord (Ephesians 4:4–6; Matthew 16:18).
  • Salvation and blessings in Christ (Acts 2:47; Ephesians 1:3; Galatians 3:27).
• III. Goal Two: Pull You Away From the Church
  • Desire, sin, death (James 1:13–15).
  • Delay and worldliness (Acts 24:25; 1 John 2:15–17).
  • Warnings about turning back (2 Peter 2:20–22; Hebrews 6:4–6).
• IV. Goal Three: Render You Idle In the Church
  • Neglect of assembly (Hebrews 10:24–25).
  • Ignorance from closed Bibles (2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 10:1–3).
  • Prayerlessness and withheld service (Philippians 4:6–7; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8).
  • Tearing down with words (Ephesians 4:29–32).
• V. God’s Way of Overcoming
  • Humility, vigilance, resistance (1 Peter 5:6–9; James 4:7–8).
  • Armor of God and steadfast fellowship (Ephesians 6:10–18; Acts 2:42–47).
  • Sound doctrine and faithful perseverance (2 Timothy 4:2–4; Revelation 2:10).
• Conclusion: Guard the soul and walk in Christ’s victory (Matthew 16:26; Revelation 12:11).

Call to Action
Consider your standing before God. If you have not obeyed the gospel, come to Christ in faith, repentance, confession, and baptism. If you have drifted, return while mercy’s door is open. If you have grown idle, ask for strength and renew your service. Resist the devil, stand firm in the faith, and walk in the triumph of Christ.

Key Takeaways

• Satan targets the soul through exclusion, desertion, or idleness (1 Peter 5:8).
• Salvation and blessings are in Christ and His body (Ephesians 1:3; Acts 2:47).
• Worldliness and delay are powerful snares (1 John 2:15–17; Acts 24:25).
• God equips believers with grace, armor, and fellowship (Ephesians 6:10–18; James 4:7–8).
• The soul is worth more than the world (Matthew 16:26).

Scripture Reference List
1 Peter 5:6–9 – Humility, vigilance, resistance.
Job 1:6–12 – Satan’s presence and limits before God.
John 8:44 – Father of lies and murderer.
Revelation 12:9–11 – Deceiver and accuser; victory through the Lamb.
Ephesians 4:4–6 – One body, one faith.
Matthew 16:18 – Christ’s church.
Acts 2:38, 41–47 – Obedience and addition to the church.
Ephesians 1:3 – Spiritual blessings in Christ.
Galatians 3:27 – Baptized into Christ.
James 1:13–15 – Desire, sin, death.
Acts 24:25 – Felix delayed.
1 John 2:15–17 – Love not the world.
2 Peter 2:20–22 – Worse end after returning.
Hebrews 6:4–6 – Danger of falling away.
Hebrews 10:24–25 – Do not neglect assembling.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Diligent study.
Romans 10:1–3 – Zeal without knowledge.
Philippians 4:6–7 – Prayer and peace.
2 Corinthians 9:6–8 – Generous service.
Ephesians 4:29–32 – Edifying speech.
Ephesians 6:10–18 – Armor of God.
Acts 2:42–47 – Steadfast fellowship.
Revelation 2:10 – Faithful unto death.
Matthew 16:26 – The worth of the soul.
1 Corinthians 10:13 – Temptation limited by God’s faithfulness.
Hebrews 2:14 – Christ destroyed the one with the power of death.

Prepared by Robert Moss of the church of Christ at Granby, MO