SAT – Introduction
Lesson
In the Bible's last book, Revelation, Satan is shown as a dragon and a snake – Revelation 12:9
..He wants to destroy God's people and tricks them with lies. After Jesus died, Roman leaders hurt many Christians who stayed strong in their faith and helped the church grow. But then, Satan changed his plan, letting people join the church even if they didn't understand it well, which caused mistakes as church leaders mixed Bible teachings with common practices.
KJV
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
CEV
9 and were thrown down to the earth. Yes, that old snake and his angels were thrown out of heaven! That snake, who fools everyone on earth, is known as the devil and Satan.
Even with these hard times, God stayed close to His people. They found strength in Jesus, "the way, the truth, and the life," and kept following the Bible with help from the Holy Spirit.
Supplemental EGW Notes
Satan tries to keep Christians from getting ready for what's coming. He tricked Eve by promising her good things from eating the forbidden fruit. He still sets traps that look safe. By reading the Bible and praying, Christians can spot and fix their mistakes, see through Satan's tricks, and turn losses into wins by depending on God.
SUN – Compromise: Satan’s Subtle Strategy
Lesson
Jesus is the source of truth – John 14:6
..and Satan is all about lies – John 8:44
KJV
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
CEV
6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father.
..He always tries to twist God's words, like when he tricked Eve by saying the opposite of what God had commanded. Satan tries to make people doubt the Bible by changing its messages.
KJV
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
CEV
44 Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.
The truth in the Bible helps us see through Satan's lies. The following verses show how important God’s Word is to fight against Satan:
Proverbs 23:23
KJV
23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
CEV
23 Invest in truth and wisdom, discipline and good sense, and don't part with them.
John 17:17
KJV
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
CEV
17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours.
John 8:32
KJV
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
CEV
32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Supplemental EGW Notes
When Jesus came to Earth, He found the truths He had given to people hidden under mistakes made by humans. He removed the lies spread by Satan, showing God's truth clearly. He wanted to help people see the truth that Satan had hidden.
MON – Savage Wolves
Lesson
Paul warned the early Christians about future dangers – Acts 20:27-32
..calling false leaders in the church "savage wolves." These liars would bring in wrong ideas and lead believers the wrong way. Paul stressed the need to watch out as these inside threats were just as dangerous as attacks from outside.
KJV
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
CEV
27 I have told you everything God wants you to know.
28 Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock he bought with the blood of his own Son.
29 I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you.
30 Some of your own people will tell lies to win over the Lord's followers.
31 Be on your guard! Remember how day and night for three years I kept warning you with tears in my eyes.
32 I now place you in God's care. Remember the message about his gift of undeserved grace! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people.
Paul talked about "the mystery of lawlessness" already starting to work 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12
..pointing out how straying from God's law would lead to big mistakes in how people worship.
KJV
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
CEV
7 His mysterious power is already at work, but someone is holding him back. And the wicked one won't appear until this someone is out of the way.
8 Then he will appear, but the Lord Jesus will kill him simply by breathing on him. He will be completely destroyed by the Lord's glorious return.
9 When the wicked one appears, Satan will pretend to work all kinds of miracles, wonders, and signs.
10 Lost people will be fooled by his evil deeds. They could be saved, but they will refuse to love the truth and accept it.
11 So God will make sure they are fooled into believing a lie.
12 All of them will be punished, because they would rather do evil than believe the truth.
Supplemental EGW Notes
In the ongoing fight between God and Satan, those who follow God's commands are on His side. But, Satan is getting ready for a final battle, trying to trick even those who are faithful. Christians need to stay alert and stick to the Bible to face these challenges.
TUE – Safeguarded by the Word
Lesson
Both Jesus and Paul talked about how important God’s Word is to protect us – John 17:15-17
Acts 20:32
KJV
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
CEV
15 Father, I don't ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one.
16 They don't belong to this world, and neither do I.
17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours.
..The Bible is essential for understanding how to be saved and helps us spot and avoid Satan's lies. It's very important to believe that all of the Bible is from God to stay away from tricks.
KJV
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
CEV
32 I now place you in God's care. Remember the message about his gift of undeserved grace! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people.
The Bible tells us key things about Jesus’ life, death, and coming back to life, which are basic parts of being a Christian. It should be our main guide in all spiritual matters.
Supplemental EGW Notes
Reading the Bible builds our understanding and character. It shows us the right path and brings us closer to God, helping us steer clear of being tricked.
WED – Human Reasoning Apart From Scripture
Lesson
The Holy Spirit helps us understand the world and goes beyond what we can figure out by thinking alone. While it's good to think things through, we can't grasp God’s truths without the Bible – Proverbs 16:25
Judges 21:25
KJV
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
CEV
25 Sometimes what seems right is really a road to death.
Isaiah 53:6
KJV
25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
CEV
25 In those days Israel wasn't ruled by a king, and everyone did what they thought was right.
KJV
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
CEV
6 All of us were like sheep that had wandered off. We had each gone our own way, but the Lord gave him the punishment we deserved.
Like a hiker lost in the woods needs a guide, Christians rely on the Bible to find their way. The Bible gives us clear truth to tell right from wrong.
Supplemental EGW Notes
Jesus stressed the importance of the Bible in His teachings, opposing human ideas with God's truths. The Bible remains the base of our faith, not to be overshadowed by our own ideas or explanations.
THU – Battle for the Mind
Lesson
Satan tries to block people's minds from seeing the light of the gospel – 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
..The main fight between Christ and Satan is over our thoughts, with Satan using distractions and pride to pull people away from God.
KJV
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
CEV
3 If there is anything hidden about our message, it is hidden only to someone who is lost.
4 The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like.
5 We are not preaching about ourselves. Our message is that Jesus Christ is Lord. He also sent us to be your servants.
6 The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ.
The gospel puts Jesus at the center of our faith, shining light on the darkness Satan brings. Through the Bible, we can learn and follow Jesus’ true teachings.
Supplemental EGW Notes
In a world chasing after money and status, the gospel offers something better: knowledge of Jesus Christ. Despite Satan's tricks, the truth of the gospel shines clearly, leading us to true salvation.
FRI – Further Thought
Lesson
Throughout history, those against God have hated the truth. Jesus told His followers to stay alert, a message that still matters today – Mark 13:37
KJV
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
CEV
37 I tell everyone just what I have told you. Be alert!
Today, we face smart but misleading criticisms of the Bible. Despite these, Christians should test everything against the truth found in Scripture.
Supplemental EGW Notes
Christians are encouraged to wake up and focus on the main messages of the Bible, relying on the truth and authority of God’s Word to guide them now and always.