A. Tozer said, "The devil is a better theologian  

                  than any of us, but he is the Devil still."

              B. He knows what he believes and why he

                   believers what he believes

       2. Monotheistic.

          A. He knows there’s only one God.

          B. Problem is, he doesn’t worship that one God.

          C. When he shows up at church it isn’t to worship

                the one true God! But to worship himself

    3. Ritualistic

        A. Satan’s religion is false religion but it is religion

             nonetheless.

        B. Satan is opposed to Christianity but he isn’t

             opposed to churchianity.

       C. He loves to see folks go to church for the wrong

            reasons to uplift self, etc.

       D. He loves it when we don’t put our hearts into

            praising God. He likes seeing us just going

            through the motions. He can stand anything but

            real worship  

    4. Knowledgeable

       A. Of who Jesus really is.

       B. And so are his demons, the one in the synagogue

            did. He believed that Jesus is both God and man at

            the same time.

           1. The demon clearly identified Christ’s humanity

                by calling Him "Jesus of Nazareth". But he also

                identified Christ’s deity by calling Him "the

                Holy One of God". (verse 24)

    5. Deceitful

        A. Two things he wants to decieve you about.

              1. Worship. "True worship" (John 4:24)

              2. Faith  "True faith" (James 2:18-20)

              3. His purpose of fooling us about faith is

                  worship, that we might have a form of

                  godliness, but denying the power thereof:
 

             4. The church must surely be on guard against

                  false doctrine. But the danger we are

                  sometimes less aware of is false worship. We

                  must always guard against dead religion. We

                  cannot afford to become complacent and

                  nonchalant about our worship of God! We

                  should consistently re-evaluate why we

                  worship and how we worship.

II. Because He Is A Pretator.

    1. Satan’s Desire “Possession”

        A.To the saved I say, hear this

            1. He cannot possess you, but he can have

               your life if you allow him to have it.

            2. Notice what happened to Peter, in

               (Luke 22:31) Jesus told Peter, "Satan

               desires to have you, that he might sift

               you as wheat."

             3.Then in (Mat. 26:69-75) we see where

                Peter failed his test. He deined Jesus

                  three times.

             4. Then in (I Pt. 5:8) Peter said, Be sober,

                     be vigilant; because your adversary the

                     devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,

                 seeking whom he may devour:

            B. To the Lost, hear this.

                1. If you are not saved, then Satan's

                       demons can and will possess you at

                       their will. (Mrk.5:1-10)

    2. Satan’s Goal “Control”

        A. Notice how the plural pronouns (verse 24)

             1. Indicates just how closely the demon was

                 identified with the man

    3. Satan’s Field “The Church”
        A. Satan even has control of the pulpits in some

            churches.(2Cort.11:13-15) For such are false

            apostles, deceitful workers, transforming

            themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no

            marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an

            angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if

            his ministers also be transformed as the

            ministers of  righteousness; whose end shall be

            according to their works.

III. Because He Is Covetous.
    1. Satan’s Desire In Worship
        A. The devil wants to be worshipped as if he were

             God. (Isa. 14:12-14) (Matthew 4:9)

    2. Satan’s Accomplishment In Worship

        A. Satan will for a short while be worshiped as God.

             (Rev. 13:8)

     1. The true followers of Christ remember

         A. We are involved in a struggle.

             1. Our great struggle is not with paying our bills

                  or staying healthy.

             2.Our greatest struggle is a spiritual one.

(Ephesians 6:10-13)

CONCLUSON

Lost in the jungle, a man sought desperately to find his way to safety.  His strength was ebbing fast as the insects and stifling heat did their deadly work.  Suddenly he heard what he thought to be a bell tolling in the distance.  Believing he was nearing civilization, he struggled bravely onward; but he never seemed to draw closer to the sound.  Finally he fell to the ground exhausted, never to rise again. The mysterious bellbird had claimed another victim!  This story is related in detail by G.B. Robeson.  He says that many a traveler in the heart of the rain forest of Central and South America has been led to his death by the uncanny call of this seldom-seen bird.  Its enticing, reverberating "toll" produces an almost overpowering temptation to seek its source.
   Similarly, Satan employs subtle devices to ensare the human race. As lost souls seek to disengage themselves from the vines of sin, they are allured by the tempter's "bell" ringing in the distance.  "At last," they think, "I've found a way of escape," and so, following the call of the evil one deeper and deeper into the jungle of despair, they are eventually lost for eternity.
   Many are following the deceptive call of the devil's "bell-bird" because it "seems right" to them.  O that they might realize the truth of these words before it is too late: "The end thereof are the ways of death."  Christ, who declared that "no man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6), is the only One who can lead poor wanderers to the promised land of salvation and safety!