(The Full Gospel) 20. Satan Is the Ruler of Darkness and the Father of Lies
Zac Poonen's sermon emphasizes the dangers of spiritual darkness and deception, urging believers to live in the light to avoid Satan's influence.
Zac Poonen emphasizes that Satan is the 'ruler of darkness' and 'father of lies,' highlighting the spiritual dangers of wandering into his territory. He warns that engaging in actions that cannot withstand God's light opens believers to Satan's influence, leading to a loss of anointing. Poonen stresses the importance of self-examination to identify areas where one may have allowed darkness or deception to take root. He reminds us that true safety lies in the light of God, where the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. Ultimately, he encourages believers to submit to God and resist the devil to maintain their spiritual integrity.
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Satan is called "the ruler of darkness" and "the father of lies" (Ephesians 6:12; John 8:44). Both these titles are descriptive of his character and his ministry.
All that constitutes spiritual darkness in this universe is a territory that has been allotted by God to Satan. All those who wander into this territory (whether believers or unbelievers) can expect the ruler of darkness to get a foothold in their lives. Whenever we do anything that cannot stand the light of God, we open ourselves to Satan. Our safety is in the light. Only there does the blood of Jesus cleanse us from all sin, and only there can we have fellowship with the Father (1 John 1:9). Satan knows this, and that is why he constantly urges believers to do things that cannot stand the light of God. It is thus that even Spirit-filled believers lose their anointing.
All lying originates from Satan too. All who give room to any type of lying or deception or hypocrisy in their lives - whether believers or unbelievers - allow Satan thereby to make an inroad into their lives. Satan knows this, and that is why he encourages believers everywhere to live before the face of men, for that is the surest way to be a hypocrite. Hypocrisy is falsehood and is fathered by Satan.
We cannot overcome Satan if we do not first cleanse ourselves from anything that gives him a foothold in our lives. The Bible commands us to "submit to God" first, and then to "resist the Devil" (James 4:7).
This is why we should make a careful evaluation of our lives and see where we have given room to Satan by walking in darkness or in guile.
Before Jesus went to the cross, He said, "The ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me." (John 14:30). Satan could find no lying, guile or darkness in Jesus.
We too can keep ourselves in such a way, that the evil one is not able to get any foothold at any time in our lives. "He who is born of God keeps himself and the evil one does not touch him" (1 John 5:18).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding Satan's Titles
- The Ruler of Darkness
- The Father of Lies
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II
- The Territory of Darkness
- Footholds in Our Lives
- The Importance of Light
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III
- The Nature of Lies
- Hypocrisy and Deception
- Living Before Men vs. God
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IV
- Cleansing Ourselves
- Submission to God
- Resisting the Devil
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V
- Evaluating Our Lives
- Identifying Areas of Darkness
- Maintaining Our Anointing
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VI
- Jesus as Our Example
- Keeping Ourselves Pure
- Protection from the Evil One
Key Quotes
“Satan is called 'the ruler of darkness' and 'the father of lies'.” — Zac Poonen
“Our safety is in the light.” — Zac Poonen
“He who is born of God keeps himself and the evil one does not touch him.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Regularly evaluate your life for areas where darkness may have crept in.
- Commit to living authentically before God rather than seeking approval from others.
- Prioritize submission to God as a foundation for resisting temptation.