In this sermon, the speaker explains why the enemy attacks believers relentlessly by tracing the origin of Satan to a heavenly war. He recounts Lucifer’s rebellion, his fall from a position of brilliant light, and his casting out of heaven, citing Revelation imagery. The speaker then links Satan’s jealousy to the Genesis mandate that humanity be made in God’s image to rule over creation, arguing that Satan covets the dominion granted to humans. This jealousy drives his deception of Adam and Eve, ongoing temptation, and attacks on mind, soul, faith, family, and life. The sermon concludes with an exhortation for listeners to resist the devil by submitting to God, embracing their God‑given authority, and thereby causing the devil to flee.
Chapters
There's a reason why the enemy attacks you so viciously and persistently. To understand this, we have to go back to the war in the heavenly realm. Satan attempted to overthrow the Heavenly Father, but of course failed. Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was there a place for them in heaven any longer. The great dragon was cast out, that ancient serpent called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. Before he fell into a darkened state, Lucifer was an angelic being of brilliant light. How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High. So why did Satan rebel? Lucifer saw and served God. How did offense enter? How did he turn to rebellion? And what was it that gave Satan this idea that he could be like God? The answer is found in Genesis. Then God said, let us make man in our image to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground. Satan rebelled against God because of his jealousy over what God gave to you. Satan thought he should be like God because God gave his likeness to you. Since the beginning, Satan has been after your dominion. It's why he deceived Adam and Eve. It's why he tempts us with sin. It's why he's after your mind, your soul, your faith, your family, your life. He's after the dominion God gave to you. Don't surrender it. Embrace your authority through submission to God. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
