People That Satan Uses Alton Bailey

People That Satan Uses Alton Bailey 3/15/2026 SUMMARY: The sermon "People That Satan Uses" by Alton Bailey (preached March 15, 2026) explains how Satan, after appearing as a serpent in Genesis 3, now influences people to spread sin and temptation. He exploits gospel preachers, spiritually minded individuals, religious leaders like the Pharisees, apostles such as Judas (who betrayed Jesus) and Peter (who denied Him), elders, parents, spouses (e.g., Ananias and Sapphira), and even false prophets. Jesus resisted Satan using Scripture. The message warns against deception and urges obedience: hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized for salvation. TRANSCRIPT: I want to speak to you a few moments this morning concerning people that Satan uses. You know, he uses gospel preachers, if we're not careful. Make sure you get your head in the book, and make sure that the things that I speak to you this morning comes from God's Word. Because in John 12:48, Jesus said, "...the word that I spoke is what will judge him at the last day." We know that Satan came as a serpent in Genesis chapter 3. Since he came as a serpent in Genesis chapter 3, and then brought sin into the world, he no longer came as a serpent again. He uses man, the influence that he has upon man. You know, God created everything in this world, and there's so many things that are pleasant to look at. In fact, in Genesis 3:6, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Was Adam ignorant of this sin? No. Because in Genesis 2:16-17, God has spoken this to Adam, that you're not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the midst of the garden, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die. So Adam wasn't ignorant to sin. Does Adam's sin bring a consequence upon man? Yes. Turn with me to Romans chapter 5. In Romans chapter 5, I'll use the New American Standard version, and let's begin with verse 12. So you've heard people say, well, it's nobody's business, it's my sin. It is. It is. Notice in Romans 5:12, Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam. That was prior to the law of Moses. And death still reigned. Death was still in the world because of the consequence of Adam's sin. Now notice that it continues. Even over those who had not sinned. You mean death comes upon those who have not sinned. Babies die. Babies have never sinned. The mentally incompetent die. They've never sinned. So the consequence of Adam's sin brought death within the world. Satan will use spiritually minded people to bring forth sin. You see, Jesus was tempted in all ways this way. Even the Spirit led Jesus in Matthew chapter 4 out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Luke chapter 4 is a corresponding text to that. And notice in verse 13 of Luke 4, it says, When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. Notice how Jesus combated against Satan. He used God's word. It is written. Yes, Satan uses spiritually minded or... Satan uses religious people like the Pharisees. Notice the way it's written in John chapter 8. Let's turn to John chapter 8. In John chapter 8, Jesus says... Let's begin in verse 12. In John chapter 8 and verse 12. And I'm just going to hit some of the high points in this chapter. But let's notice how Jesus always looks at Scripture in its context. Because Scripture out of context is a pretext. People sometimes want pretext. They want it to say what they want it to say. But if we keep it in the context, notice who Jesus... Let's begin in verse 12 of John chapter 8. New American Standard. Jesus said to them, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." You see, Jesus is not... He wants us to follow him. He's the leader. I am the light of the world and he who follows me... He didn't say you're going before me or ahead of me. He said you follow me. He said you will not walk in darkness. But you will have the light of life. And notice verse 13. Who he is speaking to. So the Pharisees said to Him... Well, that was a true statement. Because Jesus just said I am the light of the world. But then notice what they did. They said your testimony is not true. In other words, they were calling Jesus a liar. Because if something's not true, they said your testimony is about you. Yeah, that was a true statement. But then they said but your testimony is not true. And Jesus said even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true. Jesus was telling the truth. And then you go on over to verse 24. So who is Satan using? He's using the Pharisees against Jesus. In verse 24, Jesus says to these Pharisees, "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." He tells them that he's the light of the world. He tells them who he is. And they said your testimony is not true. But he said that you must believe in me. If you do not, you will die in your sins. Now, let's go on down to verse 32, for example. He said to them "and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Right here that we're holding in our hands is the truth. And we're to know it. We're not to remain ignorant. And notice as it goes on down to verse 39. They said, "Our father is Abraham." And Jesus said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do." Notice as it's going over to verse 44. He's talking to these Pharisees. He's trying to reason with them. He's trying to teach them. He said to them, "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." You can go all the way back to, what, Genesis chapter 3. Satan told the first lie, didn't he, in verse 4 of Genesis 3? He was a liar from the beginning. What about a murderer from the beginning? Didn't he instigate Cain to kill Abel in Genesis chapter 4? So who does Satan use? He came first as a serpent, but after that, he uses men. He uses preachers. He uses false teachers. You know, if you get to Matthew 23, we won't take the time, but remember Jesus said, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. And you remember that chapter? Then he mentions here in Matthew 23:9, he said, "Do not call anyone on the earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven." But what about the Catholic Church with the Pope? See, Jesus knew all this. Don't call any man on the earth your father. He's not talking about your biological father. He's talking about religious. Don't call any man on the earth your father. For one is your father, he who is in heaven. So Satan is using man, and even man wants to put on himself a great title. A title that's restricted to God only. Satan used Judas. Well, Satan used Judas, didn't he? People Satan uses? Here's someone who was an apostle. He walked with Jesus over three years. He walked with him. He ate with him. He slept with him. He worked with him. And when you do that, it's just like being in the military. When you're around those guys, and you walk with them, you work with them, you sleep with them, you eat with them, you talk with them, you can read this New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John easily in a week. Easily. And if you walk with someone over three years, do you think there was some small talk going on? And you're Judas. In Luke 22:1-6, Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people. And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd. You know, it was 30 pieces of silver. And I can't find a record where Judas threw any of the money. Did he? He threw it back into the temple. He thought that would make him happy. And he betrayed the Son of God himself. So who did Satan use? He used man. He used man. In John 13:21-27, concerning Judas. Judas was talking to his apostles. And he said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me." And the disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. There was reclining on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, "Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking." He, leaning back thus on Jesus' bosom, said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus then answered, "That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him." So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. He used Judas. Yep, towards his death, Jesus did. Satan used Peter. Well, let's look at another, someone close to Jesus, Peter. Satan used Peter to lie about Jesus. Jesus said to Simon in Luke 22:31-34, He said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." And he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!" And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me." Jesus knew that he was going to lie. He actually told Peter, you're going to deny me three times before the rooster crows. He tells him here, I've prayed for you, Peter. And then verse 33, Peter said to Jesus, Lord, with you, I'm ready to go both to prison and to death. And Jesus said to Peter, I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me. Who did Satan use? He used another apostle. Judas sold him for 30 pieces of silver, Jesus. And now Peter lies about who Jesus is. In Matthew 26:69-75, notice in verses 69 through 75, in Matthew 26, verses 69 through 75, each time that Peter denies Jesus, he gets more adamant about it. Notice as we read, Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied it with an oath, "I do not know the man." A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly. You know, Satan can use the closest people to us to help us sin. Satan used an old prophet to deceive a young prophet. You remember the story of the old prophet and the young prophet? Well, God had given the young prophet instructions not to eat, not to return the same way—you know what I'm talking about. And this old prophet, I don't know why this old prophet. You know, the old prophet, this is in 1 Kings 13:11-32, we don't take time to read it, but that's where the context is. And the old prophet said, I too am a prophet. And an angel, he said, told me. So what'd he do? Satan used that old prophet, didn't he? In Galatians 1:6-9, if I preach to you any other gospel than what is written in this book, you don't accept it. Because in Galatians chapter 1, Paul, as an apostle, inspired by God, guided by the Holy Spirit, he says in verse 6 of Galatians chapter 1, to the churches of Galatia, he said, I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! If I teach you anything other than what's in this book, don't believe it. I'm to be accursed. And really, that curse, don't accept it. Cut off. Satan will use people like this to spew forth false doctrine. Satan will use elders. Satan will use elders. Sad to say. Satan, he will use elders of a congregation. Let's go into Acts chapter 20. In Acts chapter 20, you remember, Paul met the Ephesian elders at Miletus. And he's speaking to them. And notice, let's just begin in verse 27 of Acts chapter 20, New American Standard. Paul said, For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. You see, Satan will take people that is closest to the brethren and try to lead them astray. You remember Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1 Timothy 1:20? Paul said he handed them over to Satan because they blasphemed. Satan will use parents. What about us? Satan will use parents to bring forth sin. Didn't Herodias use her daughter to sin in front of Herod? No doubt with the lascivious type dance. Mark 6:17-29. So here is a parent using a child to sin. Does it happen today? Yes. Yes. Satan will use those that are closest to us to bring about sin. Satan will use a spouse. Satan will use a spouse. Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5. Didn't they have a plan themselves? They used them, Satan did. Let's just turn to it in Acts chapter 5. If you look at the context here, look at the very last of chapter 4. Now man divided the Bible up into chapters. From history around the 1200 ADs is the first. Verses and sentences in the 1500s. The printing press was invented in the 1400s. And so notice the last verse, but listen to the last two verses of Acts 4. Joseph who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), a Levite of Cyprian birth, owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. But the very next verse is chapter 5. They only had the congregation at this time that was at Jerusalem. So the same congregation. Now look at verse 1 of chapter 5. But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's full knowledge he kept back some of the price, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. His wife had full knowledge so they were in it together, wasn't they? They lied to God. They lied to the Holy Spirit. And God put them to death. Yes, Satan used this man to help promote sin. Satan uses preachers and others. Preachers. I was preaching in South Africa I was with the Afrikaans. That's actually a Dutch background. They have their own language. And it was a small group, maybe 15. And there was this young couple there. And they were real pleasant to talk with. And then after the first time that I met them, I said, I hadn't met these brethren. They were both Christians. But they wasn't married. They was living together. And they wasn't married because they said that they contributed heavily to the contribution. And I said, you know what? ... And they were, I found out they were living together and she was going in the process of putting her husband away for adultery but yet she's living with this guy. Because they give pretty handily to the contribution. Well, the next time I saw them, I let them know. You can't do this. I preached a lesson even concerning it. And the whole time I was there they never come back. Now I don't know whether they came back after I left or not but I pointed out sin. You see, just because you contribute a lot of money doesn't free you from sin. And Satan used that against God. There's so much that we could talk about but Satan uses individuals because he'll never come as a serpent again. He doesn't have to. He can use us. So if you're here this morning and you're not a Christian, you must become a Christian. Hear God's Word, you must believe it, you must repent of your sins, confess Christ before man and be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins. And he will add you to his church. That's the beginning that's not the end that's the beginning. SCRIPTURES USED IN THE LESSON: John 12:48 NASB (1995): He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. NKJV: He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. LSV: He who is rejecting Me, and not receiving My sayings, has one who is judging him, the word that I spoke will judge him in the last day. Genesis 3 (relevant: verses 1–6, focus on serpent and temptation; verse 4 quoted) Genesis 3:4 NASB: The serpent said to the woman, “You certainly will not die!” NKJV: Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.” LSV: And the serpent says to the woman, “Dying, you do not die.” Genesis 3:6 NASB: When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. NKJV: So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. LSV: And the woman sees that the tree is good for food, and that it is pleasant to the eyes, and the tree is desirable to make one wise, and she takes of its fruit and eats, and gives also to her husband with her, and he eats. Genesis 2:16-17 NASB: The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” NKJV: And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” LSV: And YHWH God lays a charge on the man, saying, “From every tree of the garden eating you eat; but of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, you do not eat of it, for in the day of your eating of it—dying you die.” Romans 5 (relevant: verses 12–14) Romans 5:12 NASB: Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned— NKJV: Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— LSV: Because of this, as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death passed to all men, because all sinned. Matthew 4 (temptation account) Luke 4 (corresponding; relevant: verse 13) Luke 4:13 NASB: When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time. NKJV: Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. LSV: And having ended all temptation, the Devil departed from Him until a convenient season. John 8 (relevant: verses 12, 13, 24, 32, 39, 44) John 8:44 NASB: You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. NKJV: You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. LSV: You are of a father—the Devil, and the desires of your father you will to do; he was a manslayer from the beginning, and he has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him; when he speaks the lie, he speaks of his own, because he is a liar, and the father of it. Genesis 4 (Cain and Abel) Matthew 23 (relevant: verse 9) Matthew 23:9 NASB: Do not call anyone on the earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. NKJV: Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. LSV: And you may not be called father, for One is your Father—the Heavenly. Luke 22:1-6 (Satan enters Judas) John 13:21-27 (Satan enters Judas) Luke 22:31-34 NASB: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” NKJV: And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” LSV: And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded you, to sift as the wheat; but I prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you turn, confirm your brothers.” And he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready both to prison and to death to go”; and He said, “I say to you, Peter, a rooster will not crow today before you thrice deny knowing Me.” Matthew 26:69-75 (Peter's denial) 1 Kings 13:11-32 (old prophet and young prophet) Galatians 1:6-9 NASB: I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! NKJV: I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. LSV: I wonder that you are so quickly turning from Him who called you in the grace of Christ to another good news; which is not another, except there are certain ones troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ; but even if we or a messenger out of Heaven may proclaim good news to you different from what we proclaimed to you—let him be accursed! as we have said before, and now say again, if anyone to you may proclaim good news different from what you received—let him be accursed! Acts 20 (relevant: verses 27–31) Acts 20:27-31 (excerpted for context) NASB: For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert... NKJV: For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch... LSV: for I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God. Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit placed you overseers, to feed the Assembly of God that He acquired through His own blood, for I have known this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and of yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, watch... 1 Timothy 1:20 NASB: Hymenaeus and Alexander I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. NKJV: of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. LSV: of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I gave up to Satan, that they may be disciplined not to blaspheme. Mark 6:17-29 (Herodias and daughter) Acts 5 (Ananias and Sapphira; context from Acts 4:36-37) ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES Additional Scriptures That May Apply 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” 1 Chronicles 21:1 Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. 1 Kings 22:19-23 Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. The LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said this while another said that. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.’ The LORD said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You are to entice him and also prevail. Go and do so.’ Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; and the LORD has proclaimed disaster against you.” 2 Timothy 2:26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. Acts 13:10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NASB (1995): For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. NKJV: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. LSV: for there will be a time when they will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ear, according to their own desires will heap up to themselves teachers, and indeed, they will turn away from hearing the truth, and will be turned aside to the fables. Detailed Outline of the Sermon: "People That Satan Uses" (Preached by Alton Bailey, March 15, 2026) I. Introduction Satan uses people, including gospel preachers, to carry out his work if we're not careful. Emphasis on grounding teachings in God's Word (John 12:48). Satan first appeared as a serpent in Genesis 3, but now uses human influence to spread sin. II. The Origin of Sin and Its Consequences Through Man Satan's initial deception in the Garden: Eve saw the tree as good for food, pleasant, and desirable (Genesis 3:6). Adam was not ignorant; God directly commanded him not to eat (Genesis 2:16-17). Sin entered through one man (Adam), bringing death to all (Romans 5:12ff.). Death reigns even over those who did not sin like Adam (e.g., babies, mentally incompetent). Personal sin is everyone's business due to its consequences. III. Satan Uses Spiritually Minded or Religious People Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted (Matthew 4; Luke 4:13). Jesus resisted with "It is written." Satan uses religious figures like the Pharisees in John 8: Jesus declares I am the light of the world (John 8:12). Pharisees challenge His testimony. Warning: Die in sins unless believe I am He (John 8:24). Truth makes free (John 8:32). They claim Abraham as father; Jesus says do Abraham's deeds. Direct accusation: You are of your father the devil... a murderer from the beginning... liar and father of lies (John 8:44). Links to Genesis: First lie (Genesis 3:4); murder via Cain (Genesis 4). Woe to scribes/Pharisees; do not call religious leaders "father" (Matthew 23:9). IV. Satan Used Those Closest to Jesus Judas Iscariot (apostle who walked with Jesus for years): Satan entered Judas (Luke 22:1-6). Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver; returned money but still betrayed. Satan entered again after the morsel (John 13:21-27). Peter (another apostle): Satan demanded to sift like wheat; Jesus prayed for him (Luke 22:31-34). Predicted denial three times before rooster crows. Peter's denials escalate: simple denial, with oath, cursing/swearing (Matthew 26:69-75). Satan uses those closest to us. V. Satan Uses Prophets and False Teachers Old prophet deceived young prophet (1 Kings 13:11-32). Warning against other gospels, even from apostles or angels (Galatians 1:6-9). VI. Satan Uses Church Leaders (Elders) Paul warns Ephesian elders: Savage wolves from outside and within (Acts 20:27-31). Men arise speaking perverse things to draw disciples. Examples: Hymenaeus and Alexander handed to Satan (1 Timothy 1:20). VII. Satan Uses Family Members Parents: Herodias used daughter in dance leading to John's death (Mark 6:17-29). Spouses: Ananias and Sapphira lied about money (Acts 5; context from Acts 4:36-37). Closest relationships can be used for sin. VIII. Personal Illustration and Application Anecdote from preaching in South Africa: Couple living in sin, contributing heavily, but confronted. Money/contributions do not excuse sin. Satan uses individuals since he no longer appears as serpent. IX. Conclusion and Invitation Satan can use anyone, including us. Gospel response for non-Christians: Hear, believe, repent, confess Christ, be baptized for remission of sins; added to the church. This is the beginning, not the end. Here are several alternate title suggestions: Satan's Instruments: How the Enemy Uses People When Satan Works Through Man The Devil's Tools: People in the Hands of the Enemy Satan Among Us: Using the Faithful and the Close From Serpent to Servant: How Satan Influences Through People Beware the Instruments of Satan Satan's Human Agents: Deception in the Church and Home The Devil Uses People: Lessons from Scripture Who Satan Really Uses – Even the Closest to Us Pawns of the Devil: Recognizing Satan's Use of Man Satan's Strategy: Working Through People, Not Serpents Deceived by Those We Trust: Satan's Use of Religious People The Enemy Within: How Satan Employs Believers and Leaders Resisting the Devil's Use of Man From Judas to Pharisees: People Satan Employed Against Christ Here are targeted keywords, phrases, and search terms that would make Alton Bailey's sermon ("People That Satan Uses" or any of the alternate titles) highly discoverable on search engines like Google, YouTube, sermon audio sites, church websites, or podcast platforms. 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