1 Tim. 4:1 KJV “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”.

Wherever heresy and distinctly false doctrines prevail, one will very possibly find Satan’s influence and fingerprints all over those teachings.

This teaching will focus on the dark world of the devil, fallen angels, demons, and Satan. We will cover   seven key areas:

1. Satan’s origin.
2. Satan’s ultimate destiny.
3. Demonology – A Short Study.
4. Satan’s many titles.
5. Forms of Demonic Practice.
6. Ways in which Satan & demons oppress the believer.
7. How to resist Satan’s influence

 I.  Satan’s origin – Ex. 28:12-19

1. He was full of wisdom.
2. He was a cherub (angel).
3. He was perfectly beautiful.
4. He had a huge ego.
5. His clothes were covered with jewels.
6. He was created perfect.
7. He was a musician.

Note: He revolted against God – this revolt is described in Is.14:12-15.

II.  His ultimate destiny is found in Revelation.

1. Rev. 20:3 He is cast into a bottomless pit for 1,000 years with his subordinates, i.e. fallen angels.
2. Rev. 20:7,8 He is released from the pit – then makes another attempt to revolt against creator God.
3. 3. Rev. 20:1-10 He is defeated and cast into an underworld lake of fire...forever!

III.  Demonology

1. Believe in the existence of evil spirits has prevailed among all people of the world, from the earliest times of which we know.
2. Primitive cultures thought of demons as departed ghosts which came back to frighten and annoy people.
3. Those professing to see demons have seen them in human forms as well as animal and hybrid forms of men and beasts – which defines a group of angels called cherubin! Ezk 1: 4-6,10 cherubin are able to change their form. They are “shape shifters”. They are the only angels that have wings. All angels are males. According to Ezekiel, cherubim can appear as: man, lion, ox or eagle.

According to Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28, when Satan revolted (sinned) he did not sin alone. He was leader of a group of angels. All of them were then cast out of heaven to roam the Earth. Some of these fallen angels became demons! Mt. 12:26 presents Satan as king over this kingdom of demons.

Demons are spirit beings whom Jesus cast out.

Eph. 6:12 labels them as: 

• Unseen powers whom we fight against.
• Highly intelligent.
• Super powerful.
• Many of those whom they possessed developed blindness, insanity, or suicidal thoughts.

Note: Neither Satan, fallen angels or demons can possess the believer in Christ! Why? Because made us a promise: 1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world”.

Satan is not everywhere. He is not all-knowing. He is not all-powerful. So, the greater part of his activities is relegated to demons. Satan rules over corrupt government, pride, arrogance, ambition, selfishness, force, greed and pleasure.

IV.  Satan has many titles (clues to his true identity).

• 2 Cor. 11:14 an angel or light.
• 1 Pt. 5:8 a roaring lion.
• Eph. 2:2 prince of the power of the air.
• Col. 1:13 the power of darkness.
• Jn. 14:30 prince of the world.
• 2 Cor. 4:4 god of this world.

V.  Forms of Demonic Practice

1. Divination - contact with the spirit world with the purpose of predicting the future.
2. Necromancy - contacting a dead person.
3. Magic - a mixture of science, trickery, hypnosis – spirits.
4. Sorcery - strange formulas involving astronomy, chemistry, and familiar (evil) spirits.
5. Witchcraft - conscious complicity with evil spirits – Satan.

VI. Ways in which Satan subtly oppresses Christians

1. Spirit of lethargy.- tired, no ambition. 
   (He does not possess us he oppresses us!!)
   Questions: Are you getting enough sleep? Are you busier than usual? Do you have an unhealthy diet?
   Note: If the answer is no – you may be under spiritual attack!!
2. Overwhelmed.
3. Nerves - circumstances making you a nervous wreck. If so, Satan can weaken us to sin more easily.
4. Mess with your mind. Satan tries to control your thinking from outside sources to influence your impressions or ideas.
5. Moods - consistently down, dark moods, negativity.

VII.  How to have victory over oppression

1. Resist the devil - He will leave you alone, Jas. 4:7.
2. Study, meditate in God's word - Eph. 6:10-18.
3. Use, claim the scripture truths/promises (as Jesus did), Mk. 4:1-11.
4. Use your "will-power" or "won't power" to overcome fear, anxiety, Phil 4:4-9.
5. Pray with faith believing that it will be done.
6. Claim the name of Jesus and His blood! Rev. 12:10-12.