Kingdoms in Conflict:
Mark 3:20
By Don Bromley
Then he, entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”
So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.
In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man's house. (Mark 3:20-27)
Beelzebul: Beel (lord) + zebul (house) = lord of the house
Jesus: Lord, Liar, or Lunatic
Strategy of the Evil One: #1: Temptation
Satan = The Tempter
Temptation = 1) plays on your desires + 2) justifies what you’re doing
Strategy of the Evil One: #2: Deception
Satan = The Deceiver
"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)
Dealing with Temptation & Deception
1) Acknowledge it
2) Share it with another person
Strategy of the Evil One: #3: Accusation
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
Recommended Book: Evil And the Justice of God by N. T. Wright