In 2 Corinthians 11:14, the apostle Paul said that the devil has the ability to transform himself in an angel of light. He poses as something good when he is extremely evil. He is the accuser of the brethren (Re 12:10), the deceiver (Re 12:9), the father of lies (Jn 8:44), and a roaring lion (1Pe 5:8). He has scores of evil tricks to use against God’s people.

Transition

This evening I want us to note three tricks that the devil used to attack God’s people as they rebuilt the temple which he will also use against you and me.

The 1st trick the devil used was to …

Attack Through Infiltration (v.2)

The job of a secret agent is to infiltrate. He must act like a friend to get inside information without getting caught.

  1. The enemy attacked the builders by infiltration.
    1. They pose as friends, yet God called them “adversaries.”
    2. They offered to help which may have seemed harmless.
      1. These “harmless” neighbours were really Samaritans – mixed-race of Jews and heathens.
      2. They worshipped both Jehovah and idols. This made them very dangerous to God’s people.
  2. Preventing infiltration took wisdom and boldness.
    1. The leaders wisely saw through the subtlety (v.3).
    2. They separated from these deceitful unbelievers.
      1. Separation is never easy. Everyone likes to make friends not enemies. Their help really could have been used.
      2. Separation often causes friction and hurt feelings when unbelievers don’t understand why. They may even hate or oppose you.
  3. Infiltration is a danger for us today as well.
    1. We may be pressured by unbelieving relatives and colleagues.
      1. They may try to get us to do things we should not do.
      2. Their unbelieving influence will challenge our biblical stand.
    2. We may be tempted by unsuitable friends.
      1. Worldly friends will pull us down.
      2. Weak Christians will pressure us to compromise.
      3. Doctrinally erring friends will try to get us to doubt what we believe.
    3. The Bible gives us many warnings about friends.
      1. (Prov 13:20) “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
      2. (Prov 14:7) “Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.”
      3. (Prov 27:6) “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”
      4. (Rom 16:17) “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
      5. (1Cor 15:33) “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
        ² The Christian is not to be discourteous, or detached from unbelievers; rather he is to befriend them to gain an opening to present the gospel, but he ought never to keep their friendship by compromising his convictions.” — Stan K. Evers, Doing A Great Work, p. 43
    4. Be wise, don’t compromise!
      The 2nd trick the devil used was to …

Attack Through Irritation (v.4-5)

Have you ever tried to work in the garden when flies were swarming you, or to sleep in a tent with mossies buzzing in your ears, or to enjoy a picnic when the wind was blowing everything around? That is irritation!

  1. The enemy attacked the builders next through irritation.
    1. The Samaritans weakened the people’s hands and troubled them. This may have included:
      1. They discouraged the people perhaps saying it won’t work, you’re not able, it’s too hard, you’re too few.
      2. They troubled the people with constant interruptions to stall the work.
      3. Perhaps they stole supplies at night.
    2. The Samaritans hired counsellors against the people. The word against means to divide.
      1. Perhaps they gave bad advice.
      2. They may have encouraged rebellion against leadership.
      3. More likely, it appears that they lobbied against them in the courts of King Cyrus and of King Darius.
  2. The devil uses irritation to hinder God’s work today too.
    1. Irritation weakens our hands and troubles us.
      1. Mocking often keeps us quiet or changes our plans.
      2. Interruptions hinder – phone rings, friends show up just before church, family plans BBQ or party on Sunday, sports schedule games on Sunday.
      3. We must know beforehand what God wants us to do and determine not to weaken or be troubled.
    2. The devil has many counsellors who want to divide our focus and get us off track.
      1. Gossip
      2. Threats
      3. Words of discouragement
      4. Discord and conflicts
    3. Irritations are overcome by perseverance – Let’s do right till the stars fall!
      The 3rd trick the devil used was to …

Attack Through Fabrication or Lies (v.5, v.24)

  1. The enemy attacked through lies.
    1. The hired counsellors told lies to Cyrus and Darius about the people.
    2. To illustrate these fabrications or lies, God had Ezra include letters that were written almost 80 years later.
      NOTE: The temple building began in 535 BC during the reign of Cyrus. The building slowed and eventually stopped until the 2nd year of Darius 520 BC. Haggai and Zechariah preached. The temple was completed in 515 BC. God had Ezra include a record of letters (v.6-23) that were sent to Persia years later to stop the building of the city during the reign of Artaxerxes 466-424 BC.
    3. Think of that! For nearly 80 years the unbelieving people of the land harassed and lied about God’s people. Evidently, even after the temple was completed, the harassment continued. It may have been those who returned with Ezra who tried to build houses in Jerusalem and rebuild the wall, but they were finally ordered to stop by King Artaxerxes (Ezr 4:21) 458 BC. About 13 years later King Artaxerxes changed his mind and allowed Nehemiah to go rebuild the walls 445 BC.
  2. Lies hinder God’s work today as well.
    1. People may repeat false gossip about you or our church.
    2. Our stand is often twisted by unbelievers making us look bad.
      1. Christian education has been made illegal in some areas.
      2. Biblical discipline is often called abuse.
      3. Fundamental Christians are frequently grouped with cults and extreme groups.
    3. We must live the truth and defend the truth. Hold the fort!

Conclusion

Has the enemy been attacking your life lately through infiltration – unsuitable friends who are tempting you to compromise your stand for the Lord? If so, flee those relationships. Stand for the Lord. Don’t compromise.

Maybe he is attacking through irritation – mocking, jeering, intimidation, phone calls, friends showing up at bad times, family plans. Determine now to do right!

Has the enemy been lying about you? Have people misunderstood your faith in Christ? Don’t quit! Hold the fort! Press on!

Song: Hold the Fort, 409
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Tricks of the Enemy
17 September 2017 PM – Ezra 4 – EzNe17 – Scott Childs