Schemes of the Devil by Alton Bailey 2/1/2026

### **Schemes the Devil Uses** ***Sermon by Alton Bailey – February 1, 2026*** Use This Link For Sharing Schemes the Devil Uses Alton Bailey https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LxKl1QSYP-C_DvRWrOzfFuLAvMV72q4-vPbPL7_1wws/edit?usp=sharing [***AUDIO: FOLLOW LINK TO LISTEN***](https://audio.com/eutychus/audio/20260125alton-devil2-audacity) [https://audio.com/eutychus/audio/20260125alton-devil2-audacity](https://audio.com/eutychus/audio/20260125alton-devil2-audacity) **Short Description:** Alton Bailey's sermon "Schemes the Devil Uses" (Jan 1, 2025\) warns Christians about Satan's tactics in spiritual warfare: using people to spread lies, disguising as light, twisting Scripture, and employing intimidation, allurement, and deceit to cause falls. Key defenses: God's Word, full armor, resisting fear, and obeying God over man. (278 characters) **Outline of the Sermon:** This outline provides a structured breakdown of the sermon, highlighting key themes, points, subpoints, and scriptural references. All scripture references are hyperlinked to [BibleHub.com](https://biblehub.com/) for easy access. The outline follows the logical flow of the sermon, preserving the speaker's words and intent while organizing content for clarity. ## I. Introduction: Understanding Satan's Schemes - Definition of "scheme" from Webster's Dictionary: A plan of action, especially a crafty one, which fits Satan. - Contrast with previous lesson: Last week discussed what Satan *cannot* do; this lesson focuses on what he *can* do—tricking and causing falls. - Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare. - Primary focus: Seek God, hear Him, keep His commandments; avoid entanglement with worldly affairs ([2 Timothy 2:4](https://biblehub.com/2_timothy/2-4.htm)). - Not wrestling against flesh and blood, but spiritual forces ([Ephesians 6:12](https://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-12.htm)). ## II. Satan Uses Man as His Tool - Satan appeared as a serpent only in Genesis 3; afterward, he uses humans to spread lies, trickery, and schemes. - Example: John the Baptist calls Pharisees and Sadducees a "brood of vipers," linking back to the serpent in Genesis 3 ([Matthew 3:7](https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-7.htm)). - Our enemy is Satan, not man, but Satan uses man to teach false doctrine. - Jesus died for all mankind. - Satan and his servants disguise as angels of light and servants of righteousness ([2 Corinthians 11:14-15](https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/11-14.htm)). ## III. Not Everyone Who Says "Lord, Lord" Will Enter Heaven - Jesus' warning: Not all who claim "Lord, Lord" and perform miracles will enter heaven; must do the Father's will ([Matthew 7:21-23](https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-21.htm)). - Example: Judas performed miracles ([Matthew 10](https://biblehub.com/matthew/10.htm)) but did not finish the race. ## IV. Put on the Full Armor of God - Be strong in the Lord; put on the full armor to stand against Satan's schemes ([Ephesians 6:10-11](https://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-10.htm)). - Strength of God's might: His Word, the power of God for salvation ([Romans 1:16](https://biblehub.com/romans/1-16.htm)). - Satan's tactic: Twist God's Word (e.g., with Eve in Genesis 3; denominations changing teachings like baptism's necessity ([Mark 16:16](https://biblehub.com/mark/16-16.htm))). ## V. You Are of Your Father the Devil - Jesus confronts Pharisees and Scribes: They are of their father the devil, a murderer and liar from the beginning ([John 8:44](https://biblehub.com/john/8-44.htm), with context from vv. 39-42, 41). - Importance of claiming truth from God's Word; without it, we wouldn't know Satan's schemes. - Satan uses people to force lies; God reveals hell and truth. ## VI. Scheme \#1: Intimidation - Satan's primary scheme: Intimidate to cause fear and falling away. - Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear God ([Matthew 10:28](https://biblehub.com/matthew/10-28.htm)). - Peter denied Jesus three times due to fear ([Matthew 26:69-75](https://biblehub.com/matthew/26-69.htm)). - Satan prowls like a roaring lion ([1 Peter 5:8](https://biblehub.com/1_peter/5-8.htm)). - Biblical examples of intimidation: - Peter's denial narrative ([Luke 22:54-62](https://biblehub.com/luke/22-54.htm)). - Saul (Paul) persecuted Christians: Locked up saints, voted for deaths, forced blasphemy in synagogues ([Acts 26:9-11](https://biblehub.com/acts/26-9.htm)). - Peter's hypocrisy at Antioch due to peer pressure from Jews ([Galatians 2:11-14](https://biblehub.com/galatians/2-11.htm)). - Examples of resistance to intimidation: - David vs. Goliath: Not intimidated; battle belongs to the Lord ([1 Samuel 17:44-50](https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/17-44.htm)). - Jesus' arrest: Not intimidated; recognized the hour of darkness ([Luke 22:52](https://biblehub.com/luke/22-52.htm)). - Jesus' resolve: Troubled but purposeful ([John 12:27](https://biblehub.com/john/12-27.htm)). - Modern examples: Persecution in Nigeria; family/job pressure (e.g., woman leaving church for denomination). - Exhortation: Stand firm, not alarmed by opponents ([Philippians 1:27-28](https://biblehub.com/philippians/1-27.htm)). - Diotrephes intimidated church members ([3 John 9-10](https://biblehub.com/3_john/1-9.htm)). - Early church prayed for boldness against threats ([Acts 4:29](https://biblehub.com/acts/4-29.htm)). - Apostles obeyed God over men ([Acts 5:29](https://biblehub.com/acts/5-29.htm)). ## VII. Scheme \#2: Allurement - If intimidation fails, Satan allures by making the world appealing. - Satan uses only worldly things; spiritual blessings come from God. - Definition from Webster's: Entice by charm or attraction; make something appear as what it's not. - God wants us to enjoy life but not love the world ([1 John 2:15-17](https://biblehub.com/1_john/2-15.htm)). - Attractiveness of sin: Pornography, addictive visuals. - Eve attracted to forbidden fruit: Good for food, delight to eyes, desirable for wisdom ([Genesis 3:6](https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-6.htm)). - Resistance: Make a covenant with eyes ([Job 31:1](https://biblehub.com/job/31-1.htm)). - Joseph fled temptation. - Caution against internet, TV sex scenes arousing lust. - All of us (men as "lookers," women not to be "look-getters") must guard eyes. ## VIII. Scheme \#3: Deceit and Confusion - Satan creates doubt and confusion (e.g., preachers spreading false teachings). - With Eve: "You will not surely die"; eyes opened like God ([Genesis 3:4-5](https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-4.htm)). ## IX. Conclusion: Don't Be Ignorant of His Schemes - God warns us; use His Word for defense. - We're not to be ignorant of Satan's devices. **FULL TRANSCRIPT:** I want to speak to you a few moments concerning some of the schemes that Satan uses towards us. Last week we spoke of some of the things that Satan cannot do, but I want to speak to you of some of the things he can do and some of his schemes that he uses as he tries to trick us and cause us to fall. The word scheme, according to Webster's Dictionary, is a plan of action, especially a crafty one. Boy, that fits Satan, doesn't it? As Christians, as we talk often, we're engaged in spiritual warfare. In [2 Timothy 2:4](https://biblehub.com/2_timothy/2-4.htm) (New King James), the Apostle Paul says to Timothy, "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life." Our primary focus in this life is to seek God, hear him and keep his commandments, and we're not to entangle ourselves with the things of this world. Although God put us in this world to live, our primary concern should be to serve God. In [Ephesians 6:12](https://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-12.htm), Paul, as he writes to the church at Ephesus from a Roman prison, said we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. **Satan Uses Man as His Tool** Satan uses man as his tool. You know, the only time that Satan came as a serpent was in Genesis chapter 3, and after that, when sin came into the world, we have no record that Satan ever came as a serpent again. In fact, he uses us, he uses man to spew forth his lies and his trickery and his schemes. And Satan, you notice here in [Matthew 3:7](https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-7.htm), to me it was just interesting to note, here's John the Baptist baptizing at the River Jordan, and some Pharisees and Sadducees are coming towards John the Baptist, and he calls them brood of vipers. In other words, the word brood refers to family of more than one, brood of vipers. Vipers refers to a snake that goes all the way back to Genesis 3, when Satan came as a serpent. And John the Baptist is saying, you're just a bunch of snakes, is really what he's saying to these Pharisees and these Sadducees in [Matthew 3:7](https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-7.htm). Our enemy is not man, but it's Satan, but Satan uses man to teach false doctrine. And so God, Jesus, died for all, all of mankind. In [2 Corinthians 11:14-15](https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/11-14.htm), Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. And no wonder\! For Satan and his servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds, Paul said. **Not Everyone Who Says "Lord, Lord"** If you notice in [Matthew 7:21-23](https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-21.htm) (New American Standard), Jesus is speaking here, and *he said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'"* You know, here we have Judas, didn't he perform miracles in [Matthew 10](https://biblehub.com/matthew/10.htm), cast out demons? But we have to finish the race, and we know that he did not do that. **Put on the Full Armor of God** In [Ephesians 6:10-11](https://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-10.htm) (New American Standard), Paul tells the church, he said, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." What is the strength of God's might? His word. His word. We know in [Romans 1:16](https://biblehub.com/romans/1-16.htm), Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." The power is in the word. So if you're Satan, what do you want to do? You want to twist that word. And he did that with Eve, didn't he, in Genesis chapter 3, when Eve said, "We shall surely die if we eat the fruit," he said, "You will surely not die." So he changes the word. Isn't that what denominations do today? They change the word. In fact, in [Mark 16:16](https://biblehub.com/mark/16-16.htm), Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." And some say no, baptism is not essential, but that's not what Jesus said, and he's going to be the one that judges us. **You Are of Your Father the Devil** You know, in [John 8:44](https://biblehub.com/john/8-44.htm), here you have these Pharisees and Scribes in verse 3 of John chapter 8\. And so I'll just read this. These elite of the Jews, these leaders of the Jews, were trying to test Jesus and they really just hated him to the point of death. And they said in verse 41, "We were not born of fornication." Isn't that something? Because we know it may have been that they were referring to Jesus. Do you remember the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and she conceived? And they said, "We were not born of fornication." And Jesus said to them in verse 42, *“If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God; for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil.”* Now that's strong, isn't it? Jesus is saying to the Pharisees, you are of your father the devil. *“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. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me.”* And so Jesus is saying, I'm speaking the truth. Satan is speaking something that is a lie. And you, your father is the devil. We have to be careful. We have to make sure we claim the truth from God's word. And yes, it's strict. But it's God's will. And without God's word, we would not know about the schemes of Satan, would we? Because God points that out to us. Satan doesn't tell us about hell, but God does. See, Satan doesn't do that. Satan uses other people and other ways to force his lies. **Scheme \#1: Intimidation** Now, one of the schemes Satan uses is intimidation. You know, he wants to intimidate. And he's successful at times with that. In [Matthew 10:28](https://biblehub.com/matthew/10-28.htm), Jesus said, *“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”* That's God. And Peter did fear. We know this happened in [Matthew 26:69-75](https://biblehub.com/matthew/26-69.htm) where he denied Jesus three times. In [1 Peter 5:8](https://biblehub.com/1_peter/5-8.htm), Satan is about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. In [Luke 22:54-62](https://biblehub.com/luke/22-54.htm) (New American Standard), talking about the intimidation of Satan. This is one of his schemes that he tries to get people to quit the Lord, to not obey the gospel. Having arrested Jesus, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too." But Peter denied, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." A little later another saw him and said, "You are one of them too\!" But Peter said, "Man, I am not." And after about an hour had passed, another began to insist, saying, "Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. ... And he went out and wept bitterly. But Satan’s scheme is intimidation. I think that's his number one scheme, is intimidate. Want to intimidate people. Notice what Paul did. This is one in [Acts 26:9-11](https://biblehub.com/acts/26-9.htm). This is when he was Saul. But now he's the apostle Paul. And Luke is recording this for us. Paul is speaking to King Agrippa: "So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities." You know, as I read Josephus, he claims that there's over a hundred synagogues in the city of Jerusalem alone at the time of Jesus. ... Paul would go to these synagogues. And people who had become Christian, he would try to compel them to blaspheme. That's intimidation. In [Galatians 2:11-14](https://biblehub.com/galatians/2-11.htm), there's another example. Here's Peter. You remember up at Antioch? Whenever Peter was up there, he would eat with those converted, both Jews and Gentiles. But some Jews came up from Jerusalem. And what did Peter do? He withdrew and he would not eat with the Gentiles. He was intimidated. Paul said, "But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, 'If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?'" Peer pressure, isn't it? Peer pressure is great. It's great today. But you know, we have some, and David, he was not intimidated with Goliath. Here's Goliath. You remember in [1 Samuel 17:44-50](https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/17-44.htm)? The Philistine also said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the field." Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands." Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David's hand. A sword at that time was a prevalent weapon to be used in warfare, and David didn't even have one. The battle belonged to the Lord. Jesus was not intimidated. I know Satan used schemes. Intimidation is one of his main schemes that he uses. But in [Luke 22:52](https://biblehub.com/luke/22-52.htm), beginning, Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, *“Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? While I was with you daily in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”* Jesus was not intimidated. He knew, notice in [John 12:27](https://biblehub.com/john/12-27.htm), Jesus said, *“Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.”* Satan uses intimidation. I think that's one of his main schemes. You know, what is going on in Nigeria today, isn't it? Where they're killing people who won't deny Jesus. I mean, those people, they want them to deny Jesus. Would you lie? You know, that's an intimidation. Because of fear at a job or within a family. You know, as a preacher, I had a lady, a young lady call me. She knew she was wrong. She called me and she said, "I'm not going, I'm leaving the Lord's church and I'm going with him to a denomination." I said, "You know, you're wrong," and she was just crying. She said, "But I want to keep my family together." And you know, to this day, she's still in that denomination. She's raised her children. Now they do not know the truth that she was intimidated by her husband. It's one of Satan's schemes, intimidation. Another is even intimidation in [Philippians 1:27-28](https://biblehub.com/philippians/1-27.htm). Paul said to the church at Philippi, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you." In [3 John 9-10](https://biblehub.com/3_john/1-9.htm), it's only one chapter. But in 3 John, John says, "I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church." That's intimidation, isn't it? Diotrephes was using the method of intimidation. Notice how they did in the early days of the church, in [Acts 4:29](https://biblehub.com/acts/4-29.htm). Peter and John asked God for boldness. You remember they were commanded, don't teach any more in this name. And they prayed for boldness. "And now, Lord, take note of their threats and grant to Your bond-servants that they may speak Your word with all confidence." In [Acts 5:29](https://biblehub.com/acts/5-29.htm), The Sanhedrin had commanded the apostles not to teach in the name of Jesus, but they said to them, "We must obey God rather than men." They didn't succumb to the intimidation of the Jewish leaders of that day. **Scheme \#2: Allurement** If he cannot do it with intimidation and allurement, Satan uses the scheme of allurement. He allures, he makes the world appear appealing to someone. And Satan can only use the things of the world. All spiritual blessings come from God, not Satan. So Satan can only use the things of this world. According to Webster's Dictionary, the word allurement is to entice by charm or attraction. Make something appear to be something that's not. God made the world for us to use, and he wants us to enjoy life and have good days. But he doesn't want us to fall in love with the world. [1 John 2:15-17](https://biblehub.com/1_john/2-15.htm) (King James Version), "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." You remember the attractiveness of sin. Pornography today. Man, it's addictive. Your eye. Control your eye. Eve was attracted to the forbidden fruit, wasn't she? In Genesis chapter 3\. Notice what it says. In [Genesis 3:6](https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-6.htm), "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." So allurement. Satan used that. He didn't use intimidation with her. He used allurement. We, man, as in [Job 31:1](https://biblehub.com/job/31-1.htm), Job said, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?" Adultery. Fornication. It looks appealing. But Joseph, down in Egypt, he fled, didn't he? He had to run. You know, I often say, sometimes we don't want ladies to be look-getters, and that means men, we tend to be lookers. We have to be careful. All of us need to make a covenant with our eyes. And Satan uses these schemes of attractiveness to allure people into his sin. Internet. Television. You know, how can a person watch a sex scene on television without being aroused? We shouldn't be doing those kind of things. **Scheme \#3: Deceit and Confusion** Another scheme by Satan is deceit and confusion. I've had people, as I've studied with them, that say, "Why would my preacher tell me such and such? My preacher, he wouldn't do something like that." And they, it kind of, that preacher tries to present doubt in their mind. In [Genesis 3:4-5](https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-4.htm), didn't Satan, as a serpent, try to put doubt in the mind that "you surely will not die"? That's a scheme. Verse 5, Satan puts confusion into the mind of Eve. Satan says, "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." **Conclusion: Don't Be Ignorant of His Schemes** So in conclusion, God warns us about the schemes of Satan. We're not to be ignorant of his devices. We have his Word, God's Word, for us to be given our defense against that. **Scriptures the Speaker Referenced** 1. [**2 Timothy 2:4**](https://biblehub.com/2_timothy/2-4.htm) - Speaker (NKJV paraphrase): "no one who has engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life." - NKJV: No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. - LSV: no one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please the one who enlisted him. (Context: v3 "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.") 2. [**Ephesians 6:12**](https://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-12.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." - NKJV: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. - LSV: because our wrestling is not with blood and flesh, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual things of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Context: Part of armor passage, v11 "Put on the whole armor of God...") 3. [**Matthew 3:7**](https://biblehub.com/matthew/3-7.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "brood of vipers." - NKJV: But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers\! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” - LSV: And having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming about his immersion, he said to them, “Brood of vipers\! Who gave you counsel to flee from the coming wrath?” 4. [**2 Corinthians 11:14-15**](https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/11-14.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light... his servants disguise themselves as servants of righteousness." - NKJV: And no wonder\! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. - LSV: and it is not wonderful, for even Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light; it is not great, then, if his servants also are transformed as servants of righteousness—whose end will be according to their works. 5. [**Matthew 7:21-23**](https://biblehub.com/matthew/7-21.htm) (NASB as specified by speaker) - Speaker (NASB quote): **“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”\]** - NKJV: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness\!’” - LSV: “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will come into the kingdom of the heavens, but he who is doing the will of My Father who is in the heavens. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? And in Your Name cast out demons? And in Your Name done many mighty works? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you—depart from Me, you who are working lawlessness.” 6. [**Matthew 10**](https://biblehub.com/matthew/10.htm) (general reference to Judas performing miracles; no specific verse quoted) - Context: Refers to sending out disciples (e.g., v1, v8 casting out demons, etc.). No direct quote; hyperlink to chapter. 7. [**Ephesians 6:10-11**](https://biblehub.com/ephesians/6-10.htm) (NASB as implied) - Speaker (NASB paraphrase): "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God..." - NKJV: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. - LSV: As to the rest, my brothers, be strong in the LORD, and in the power of His might; put on the whole armor of God, for your being able to stand against the schemes of the Devil... 8. [**Romans 1:16**](https://biblehub.com/romans/1-16.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation..." - NKJV: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. - LSV: for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who is believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek. 9. [**Mark 16:16**](https://biblehub.com/mark/16-16.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." - NKJV: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. - LSV: He who has believed and has been immersed will be saved; but he who has not believed will be condemned. 10. [**John 8:44**](https://biblehub.com/john/8-44.htm) (with vv39-42 context) - Speaker (paraphrase, including Jesus' words): **“If God were your Father, you would love Me... You are of your father the devil... He was a murderer from the beginning... 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 the 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 may speak the lie, he speaks of his own, because he is a liar—even the father of it. 11. [**Matthew 10:28**](https://biblehub.com/matthew/10-28.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase, Jesus' words): **“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”\]** - NKJV: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. - LSV: And do not be afraid of those killing the body, and are not able to kill the soul, but fear rather Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 12. [**1 Peter 5:8**](https://biblehub.com/1_peter/5-8.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "Satan is about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." - NKJV: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. - LSV: Be sober, vigilant, because your opponent the Devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may swallow up. 13. [**Luke 22:54-62**](https://biblehub.com/luke/22-54.htm) (Peter's denial; partial quote/paraphrase) - No direct verse quote beyond narrative; hyperlink to passage. 14. [**Acts 26:9-11**](https://biblehub.com/acts/26-9.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): Saul's hostility, casting vote, forcing blasphemy. - NKJV: “...I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme...” (key v11). - LSV: ...punishing them often in all the synagogues, I was constraining them to blaspheme... 15. [**Galatians 2:11-14**](https://biblehub.com/galatians/2-11.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): Peter's hypocrisy due to intimidation. - NKJV: Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed... 16. [**1 Samuel 17:44-50**](https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/17-44.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase, David's words): \[implied in narrative, e.g., “You come to me with a sword... but I come to you in the name of the Lord...**”\]** - NKJV: (Key vv45-47 quoted in sermon paraphrase). 17. [**Luke 22:52**](https://biblehub.com/luke/22-52.htm) - Speaker (Jesus' words): **\[ “Have you come out with swords and clubs... but this hour and the power of darkness are yours.”\]** - NKJV: Then Jesus said to the chief priests... “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? ...but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” - LSV: And Jesus said to the chief priests... “Have you come forth with swords and sticks as against a robber?... but this is your hour and the power of the darkness.” 18. [**John 12:27**](https://biblehub.com/john/12-27.htm) - Speaker (Jesus' words): **\[ “Now My soul has become troubled... but for this purpose I came to this hour.”\]** - NKJV: “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.” - LSV: “Now My soul has been troubled—and what will I say? Father, save Me out of this hour—but because of this I came to this hour.” 19. [**Philippians 1:27-28**](https://biblehub.com/philippians/1-27.htm) (corrected from spoken "Galatians 1") - Speaker (paraphrase): "in no way alarmed by your opponents." - NKJV: ...in no way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation... 20. [**3 John 9-10**](https://biblehub.com/3_john/1-9.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): Diotrephes' intimidation. - NKJV: ...Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us... he... casts them out of the church. 21. [**Acts 4:29**](https://biblehub.com/acts/4-29.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): Prayer for boldness against threats. - NKJV: Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. 22. [**Acts 5:29**](https://biblehub.com/acts/5-29.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "We ought to obey God rather than men." - NKJV: But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” 23. [**1 John 2:15-17**](https://biblehub.com/1_john/2-15.htm) (KJV as specified) - Speaker (KJV paraphrase): "Love not the world..." - NKJV: Do not love the world or the things in the world... For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. - LSV: Do not love the world, nor the things in the world; if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him... 24. [**Genesis 3:6**](https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-6.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): Eve saw it was good for food, delight to eyes, desirable to make wise. - 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... 25. [**Job 31:1**](https://biblehub.com/job/31-1.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "I have made a covenant with my eyes." - NKJV: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” - LSV: “I have made a covenant for my eyes, || And how do I attend to a virgin?” 26. [**Genesis 3:4-5**](https://biblehub.com/genesis/3-4.htm) - Speaker (paraphrase): "You will not surely die... your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God." - NKJV: Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” - LSV: And the serpent said to the woman, “Dying, you do not die, for God knows that in the day of your eating of it—your eyes have been opened, and you have been as God, knowing good and evil.” ### **Scriptures for Further Study** 1. [**2 Corinthians 2:11**](https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/2-11.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. - NKJV: lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. - LSV: not in order that we may be over-reached by the Adversary, for we are not ignorant of his devices. (Context: v10 "If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake," v12 "Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me in the Lord,") 2. [**James 4:7**](https://biblehub.com/james/4-7.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. - NKJV: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. - LSV: Be subject, then, to God; stand up against the Devil, and he will flee from you; (Context: v6 "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.'" v8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.") 3. [**Ephesians 4:27**](https://biblehub.com/ephesians/4-27.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): and do not give the devil an opportunity. - NKJV: nor give place to the devil. - LSV: neither give place to the Devil; (Context: v26 "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath," v28 "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.") 4. [**1 John 3:8**](https://biblehub.com/1_john/3-8.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): The one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. - NKJV: He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. - LSV: The one doing sin is of the Devil, because the Devil sins from the beginning. For this was the Son of God manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil. (Context: v7 "Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." v9 "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.") 5. [**Revelation 12:9**](https://biblehub.com/revelation/12-9.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): 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. - NKJV: So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. - LSV: and the great dragon was cast forth—the old serpent, who is called “Devil” and “Satan,” who is leading the whole world astray—he was cast forth to the earth, and his messengers were cast forth with him. (Context: v8 "but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer." v10 "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.'") 6. [**2 Corinthians 4:4**](https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/4-4.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - NKJV: whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. - LSV: in whom the god of this age blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that there does not shine forth to them the enlightening of the good news of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God; (Context: v3 "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing," v5 "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.") 7. [**1 Timothy 3:7**](https://biblehub.com/1_timothy/3-7.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. - NKJV: Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. - LSV: and it is required of him also to have a good testimony from those outside, that he may not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil. (Context: v6 "not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil." v8 "Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,") 8. [**2 Timothy 2:26**](https://biblehub.com/2_timothy/2-26.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): 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. - NKJV: and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. - LSV: and they may awake out of the snare of the Devil, having been caught by him to his will. (Context: v25 "with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,") 9. [**Acts 5:3**](https://biblehub.com/acts/5-3.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land? - NKJV: But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? - LSV: And Peter said, “Ananias, why did the Adversary fill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back of the price of the place? (Context: v2 "and he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet." v4 "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”) 10. [**1 Thessalonians 2:18**](https://biblehub.com/1_thessalonians/2-18.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. - NKJV: Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. - LSV: for this reason we wished to come to you (I, indeed, Paul), both once and again, and Satan hindered us; (Context: v17 "But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire." v19 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?") 11. [**2 Thessalonians 2:9**](https://biblehub.com/2_thessalonians/2-9.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, - NKJV: The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, - LSV: \[him,\] whose presence is according to \[the\] working of Satan, in all power, and signs, and lying wonders, (Context: v8 "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming." v10 "and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.") 12. [**John 13:2**](https://biblehub.com/john/13-2.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, - NKJV: And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, - LSV: And supper being come, the Devil already having put \[it\] into the heart of Judas of Simon, Iscariot, that he may deliver Him up, (Context: v1 "Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." v3 "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,") 13. [**Job 1:12**](https://biblehub.com/job/1-12.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): 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. - NKJV: And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. - LSV: And YHWH says to the Adversary, “Behold, all that he has \[is\] in your hand, only do not put forth your hand to him.” And the Adversary goes out from the presence of YHWH. (Context: v11 "But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face\!” v13 "Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,") 14. [**Zechariah 3:1**](https://biblehub.com/zechariah/3-1.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. - NKJV: Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. - LSV: And he shows me Joshua the high priest standing before the Messenger of YHWH, and the Adversary standing at his right hand, to be an adversary to him. (Context: v2 "And the Lord said to Satan, 'The Lord rebuke you, Satan\! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you\! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?'") 15. [**Matthew 4:1**](https://biblehub.com/matthew/4-1.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. - NKJV: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. - LSV: Then Jesus was led up to the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil, (Context for temptation: v2-11 "And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. ... **“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”** (v4 example; full narrative includes multiple responses from Jesus).") 16. [**Luke 8:12**](https://biblehub.com/luke/8-12.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. - NKJV: Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. - LSV: and those beside the way are those hearing, then comes the Devil, and takes up the word from their heart, lest having believed, they may be saved. (Context: v11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God." v13 "But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.") 17. [**1 Chronicles 21:1**](https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/21-1.htm) - Primary (NASB 1995): Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. - NKJV: Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. - LSV: And an adversary stands up against Israel, and persuades David to count Israel, (Context: v2 "So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, 'Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it.'") **KEYWORDS**: Here are targeted keywords and phrases to help the sermon "Schemes the Devil Uses" by Alton Bailey (February 1, 2026\) appear in web searches: - Satan's schemes - schemes of the devil - spiritual warfare Satan - devil's tactics Christians - Satan's intimidation allurement deceit - schemes Satan uses - resisting the devil schemes - Satan twists Scripture - brood of vipers Satan - father of lies John 8:44 - full armor of God schemes - Ephesians 6 schemes devil - Satan's devices 2 Corinthians 2 - not ignorant of Satan's schemes - Alton Bailey sermon schemes - Schemes the Devil Uses sermon These combine exact sermon title elements, key biblical phrases, and common search terms for spiritual warfare topics. Using them in titles, descriptions, tags, or blog posts will improve discoverability. **Alternate Titles:** Here are some strong alternate titles for Alton Bailey's sermon "Schemes the Devil Uses" that capture its core message while being engaging, searchable, and suitable for sermons or Bible studies:Satan's Clever Schemes: How the Devil Tries to Deceive and Defeat Us Unmasking the Enemy: The Schemes Satan Uses Against Believers Spiritual Warfare: Recognizing and Resisting Satan's Tactics The Devil's Playbook: Intimidation, Allurement, and Deceit Don't Be Ignorant: Satan's Devices Exposed Standing Against the Schemes of the Devil From Intimidation to Deception: How Satan Attacks Christians The Serpent's Strategies: Satan's Tricks in Our Time Guarding Against the Devil's Schemes Satan's Three Main Weapons: Fear, Temptation, and Lies Not Ignorant of His Devices: Defeating Satan's Plans The Enemy's Tactics: What Satan Can (and Cannot) Do Armor Up: Standing Firm Against Satan's Schemes Deceptions of Darkness: Exposing the Devil's Methods The Father's of Lies: Satan's Schemes Revealed These titles emphasize spiritual warfare, Satan's tactics (intimidation, allurement, deceit), biblical defense (God's Word, armor), and the sermon's warning tone, while incorporating searchable phrases like "Satan's schemes," "devil's tactics," and "spiritual warfare."