The Mind, the Devil’s Chosen Battleground

2 Corinthians 11:1-3

INTRODUCTION: There is no excuse that Satan should get an advantage of us. After all, we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). This suggests that Satan does not continually assault believers with new and improved weaponry, but with the same arsenal that has worked in the past.

I. THE CLARITY ONCE EXISTING (Genesis 1:26-31; Genesis 2:7-9, 15-25)

A. The Clarity of Position (Genesis 1:26)

1. Made in the image of God
2. Having dominion over the animals (including the serpent)

B. The Clarity of Purpose (Genesis 1:27-28)

1. Fruitfulness and replenishment (Genesis 1:27-28a)
2. Subduing the earth (Genesis 1:28)

C. The Clarity of Practice (Genesis 1:29; Genesis 2:7-9, 15-17)

1. Concerning labour (Genesis 2:8, 15)
2. Concerning diet (Genesis 1:29; Genesis 2:9, 16-17)

D. The Clarity of Purity (Genesis 1:31; Genesis 2:18-25)

1. Every thing God had made was good (Genesis 1:31)
2. God remedied a perceived problem (Genesis 2:18-24)
3. There was no shame (Genesis 2:25)

II. THE ASSAULT ON THE MIND (Genesis 3:1-6; 2 Corinthians 11:3)

A. The Origin of the Assault (Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3)

1. The subtil serpent (Genesis 3:1)
2. The beguiling serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3)

B. The Place of the Assault – the mind (2 Corinthians 11:3)

C. The Means of the Assault (Genesis 3:1-5)

1. Causing questions to enter the mind (Genesis 3:1)
2. Causing confusion to enter the mind (Genesis 3:2-3)
3. Causing lies to be believed (Genesis 3:4-5)

III. THE CONFUSION THAT ENSUED (Genesis 3:6-19)

A. The Lies Believed (Genesis 3:6)

1. She saw that the tree was good for food, but it was not.
2. She thought the tree was desired to make one wise, but it was not.

B. The Shame that Followed (Genesis 3:7-8)

1. They sought to cover their nakedness (Genesis 3:7)
2. They hid from the presence of the LORD God (Genesis 3:8)

C. The Fellowship that Suffered (Genesis 3:9-13)

1. Between God and Adam (Genesis 3:9-11)
2. Between Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:12)
3. Between God and Eve (Genesis 3:13)

D. The Consequences Endured (Genesis 3:14-19)

1. The implanter (Genesis 3:14-15)
2. The believer (Genesis 3:16)
3. The extended believer (Genesis 3:17-19)

IV. THE GRACE THAT CAN BE FOUND (Genesis 3:20-24)

A. Covering the Shame (Genesis 3:21)

B. Protecting from Further Damage (Genesis 3:22-24)

CONCLUSION: An attack on your mind is an attack on every part of your being and actions. If you allow the Devil or others to plant the seed of deception in your mind you will eventually believe the lies to be sound and will act accordingly. As such, the Bible says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8)