Greetings -
Scriptures are from the King James Bible.
I began this as a response to a comment relative to the post directly below this one titled, "WINNING STRATEGIES." Our Lord told me to do it, instead, as a new post.
Yes, Satan hates it when we give glory to GOD so we should do it, in earnest, on the regular. Satan is a strategic highly intelligent being so we must be mindful that our weaponry cannot be formulaic because he comes against us in various crafty ways. His cunning character is not to be underestimated nor should his power be overestimated. It is wise to be aware of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 states, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
Satan can lash out angrily when we glorify GOD or he can turn on his "charm." He is described in 2 Corinthians 11:14, "...for Satan himself is transformed as an angel of light." He has numerous adverse tactics but none can conquer the warfare power of GOD.
He can come on to us like he means well and is on our side only to strike menacingly. He is cunning and can lure and seduce with his "charming" traps.
Listen to his laughter from his host vessels - his children. It has a wicked tone versus holy laughter which has a free pure tone.
It is likely that Satan used a "charming" tone when he seduced Eve. Genesis 3:1, "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said,.."
Others may have experienced people speaking to them in "charming" tones but the Holy Ghost alerted that it was demonic in intent. I have had strangers, and others, including professing Christians, speak to me with words, charming in tone that led our Lord to warn to beware.
Someone asked me one day why strangers come against me when they don't even know me. My response, "The devil in them knows the GOD in me." Battles operate in the spirit realm. Many Christians don't delve much into such realms for revelatory knowledge about spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
There is no formulaic way to deal with Satan's assaults. We must do, as led by the Spirit of GOD because only GOD can guide us as to what to do, when and how for any given case or situation. In essence, we gain our specific warfare tactics from our Lord on a case by case basis. He shares with us what we need to know on a need to know basis. Of course, we must also daily pursue guidance through His Word and prayer with hearts that aim to steadfastly do according to GOD's will. We must, though, be steadfastly aware of the leading of the Spirit. It can become a matter of life and death to hear and to heed what the Spirit of GOD is saying relative to all aspects of our lives.
The prevail aspect is that when we have pure hearts and clean hands, we are more than conquerors and are well able to overcome all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Romans 8:37
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us.
Numbers 13:30
And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
Ephesians 6:16
...ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
It is advisable to learn about spiritual warfare on deeper levels. And for those who are ignorant about it, please seek our Lord to learn about the matter. This week I heard a Christian on TBN state that some sort of study or survey had been done and the findings were that 65% of Christians don't believe in the devil. Of course, we know that many people profess to be Christians but upon deeper probing, it is discovered that what they have is a Christian label with no evidence of holy lifestyles. Anyhow, when I heard that percentage, I was more than a little surprised and disturbed.
Satan uses ignorance to his advantage. We cannot afford to surrender opportunities to him because we fear or have postures of spiritual laziness. It has become increasingly perilous to be lukewarm, carnal and asleep on the watch. We are called to wake from spiritual slumber, and to occupy until our Lord comes.
Isaiah 56:10
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
Luke 19:13
...Occupy till I come.
Prayer
Lord, please help us through Your love, power and Holy Ghost anointing, to be aware of the devices of Satan and to effectively conquer, subdue and besiege the forces of evil, corruption and perversion. We need to be ever more vigilant and diligent about perfecting holiness because evil is waxing worse and worse. As such, to advance Your kingdom, we need to wax brighter and brighter in glorious holy splendor. Your Words in Mark 16:20 say, "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." Please let Your signs follow us, Lord, as we willingly yield to Your will. And let us be mindful that we must exercise love in our warfare actions - for without love we are nothing. Thank You, Lord - Amen.
Sandra
Written Thursday June 9, 2011
Copyright 2011
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ReplyDeleteHi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You said 65% of Christians do not believe in the devil. This is sad. I have heard similar state, but with pastors. Also something like better that 50% of pastors do not believe in the resurection. Satan has been at his game deceiving man since the Garden of Eden and we are in a battle. We need to know what the Bible speaks about him and stand firmly on the Word of God.
Blessings,
Ken
It's a sad commentary on our times as Christians that so many slough off belief in Satan. Don't ya know Satan loves that!? Our minister---and almost all Methodist monisters, avoid ever mentioning the devil. I once asked our pastor why---he said that people are uncomfortable hearing about Satan---they want to come away from the sermon feeling "uplifted".
ReplyDeleteAnd when you have done all else STAND (not to sit, turn and go away, lay down but to STAND) in Jesus - and watch the Army of God fight that battle!
ReplyDeleteGreetings -
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and commenting.
@Ken
I am surprised that it has been reported that 50% of pastors don't believe in the resurrection. That is something else, Ken!
What a sad state of affairs. But glory to GOD, He reigns, regardless!!!
@Clint
It continues to boggle my mind how professing Christians don't believe in the devil. Can they truly be Christians?! Certainly, they need prayers for deliverance from deception.
That is very surprising to me, Clint, what you expressed about your minister and almost all Methodist ministers. I had no idea about that.
Since you moved to Tennessee have you found another minister who believes and preaches the full gospel of the kingdom of GOD?
I am all for being uplifted but not at the sacrifice of full gospel truth. We, who are called by the name of GOD, need to keep it real.
For real - GOD is love - for real - God is the Judge of the earth and He DOES judge sin, as defined in His Holy Bible. The Holy Bible clearly states in the book of Revelation 21:8 - KJV, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcereres, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:..." The only way to avoid such is to repent to GOD, forsake wickedness, and to submit to GOD as doers of His Holy Bible content.
We truth walkers are charged to warn the wicked - Ezekiel 3 - KJV.
Revelation 22:19 - KJV
And if any man shall take aaway from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Hi Marijo -
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and commenting.
AMEN lady warrior of GOD. I love what you expressed and emphasized. Ain't that the truth?! INDEED...
We're in GOD'S army now. Onward Christian soldiers...!
How can anyone who is a christian not believe in satan? They must not read the Bible.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. It is hard to find the balance in Christendom...either folks downplay the devil or give him "too much" attention. I have always said that the greatest weapon against the enemy is Truth. We STAND with the full armor of God (love that passage) and stand firm in the Truth...it repels the enemy.
ReplyDeleteSigh...I am well acquainted with spiritual warfare. It can get tiring. I would love to see a post by you about getting weary in the battle. I love Galatians 6:9 but there are days when I do get tired in the battle. God allows me seasons of rest for which I'm thankful. And I'm thankful for the victory that is already mine. But I confess, I do get tired. And discouraged when a battle I thought was overcome, rears its ugly head again and shows me that there's still a ways to go. Blah. But Thanks be unto God, who ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ!!!! I hold on to that.
Greetings -
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and commenting.
@Dee
I don't know, Dee. It is challenging to understand. Good point, "They must not read the Bible." That or either they don't believe the truth that is in the Bible. Certainly, prayers need to go forth for them to be made aware of the need to pursue and to DO truth.
@Mining for Diamonds
Very interesting that you expressed, "...either folks downplay the devil or give him "too much" attention." Excellent point.
Also, I love that you expressed, "...it repels the enemy."
As to whether you will see a post by me about getting weary...My post topics are as our Lord leads. I cannot readily recollect but it is likely that I have already done postings about getting weary in battles. At least one such posting is probably in my archives.
I spent a "season" in our Lord where I often focused on the weariness of this spiritual journey. After experiences, deliverances, and obeying our Lord through daily reading His Word and daily praying to Him, and heeding the leading of His Spirit, He has changed my heart... We all progress,and positively change, provided we put the work in, as our Lord leads. Our Lord leads me to resist the weariness focus and to regularly embrace the greatness of Him in spite of what Satan lodges against me. Certainly, I have my "seasons" when I need encouragement and help coping with the warfare attacks, but increasingly, I rise above Satan's wiles with joy and peace in the midst of storms.
I agree that we all do get weary. It is as our Lord has designed. May He help us all to count it all joy, as His Word commands. And those "seasons" when it gets more challenging, may we cleave to Him for the strength and grace to continue. We can only thrive and continue with His love, help and strength.
Great post Sandra! The times we are living in are indeed very dark times and will only get darker as the Tribulation draws near.
ReplyDeleteI cannot remember where I heard this but there was a Spirit filled church that decided to turn to the Cathlotic following. They decided they needed a strong leader so they turned their church over to the Pope. So sad!! They have a strong leader in Jesus Christ and they deferr to a human! Made me want to cry.
Satan is alive and on the prowl seeking to kill and destroy. This is a spiritual battle we are in and the only way to fight this battle is with the Word of God and the armour He gave us to wear.
Thanks for sharing this.
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Hi Child of God -
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful to know that no matter how dark it gets, GOD shines forth!
Yes, you're so right, we need to remain fully armored, as is stated in Ephesians 6.
May we cleave to GOD for He is hope, and so much more that is highly beyond our comprehension.
THANK YOU, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!
Think of the New Testament -- the demons recognized Christ:
ReplyDeleteAnd, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? (Matthew 8:29 KJV)
But they weren't expecting Him to be there then. They thought they had freedom from judgment, yet it came to them that very day.
We need to be diligent, and allow Christ to do it all for us as we give our all to Him for His glory. From the time we waken until our eyes close in sleep, our actions speak of how we serve Him.
Hi Grammy Blick -
ReplyDeleteI wholly agree. We need to be diligent, and cleave to our Lord with love, obedience and trust.
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteThis was strong writing. I so appreciated your inspiring words. I liked this that you said:
"In essence, we gain our specific warfare tactics from our Lord on a case by case basis."
For some reason, that was a new insight for me. We are told in Ephesians about the armor of God - but I like that you pointed out that God will show us new and effective ways to use it - tailor-made for the particular assault.
So, not only are we given armor by the Lord, we are given strategy. I like the sound of that!!
We must be wary soldiers these days, on the alert and aware. The devouring lion is hungry...
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteSo few Christians talk about these matters. Encouraging to see it brought up! I wanted to add some thoughts on this subject, if you don't mind? Does it seem as if Christians too often play the "blame game" on Satan? After all, Adam and Eve were the first to not take responsibility for their own actions, are Christians too often doing the same today? I believe Satan is very rampant in working in the Church today. I am very hesitant of Christians that sin and just blame Satan for it, therefore easing their conscience and not really facing the root problem that led them to sin.
The reason I bring this up is because I believe there is a lack of understanding in the Church today of discernment in distinguishing between the soul and spirit. When we do something "bad" the first one we blame is Satan. But is this Biblical? When we are told to put on "the whole armor of God" Rom 6:10-20, do Christians know what that means and "how" to do that? Do we think we are "putting on the armor of God" by simply avoiding ungodly "Satanic" things like witchcraft, drugs, prostitution, robbery and other obvious "bad" things? So we deny ourselves the interaction with such obvious sinful things, but allow ourselves to interact with things that aren't "too bad" or are a "grey area" like, having sex outside marriage (what!?), divorcing (what!?), drinking, going to bars, watching whatever TV/movies everyone else is watching, being greedy, giving in to your heart's desire because "you deserve it", etc...is this, at the least, putting on the armor of God? What about living a holy life? Denying the obvious sins and embracing the "grey areas"?
What about the command Jesus tells us to LIVE every day? "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Lk 9:23. "deny himself"...deny what? Our spirit? No, we are to live by our spirit, "For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."Rom 8:13. Deny the body? You cannot deny the body unless you bring your soul into subjection to the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus means when He says "deny yourself", to deny your soul! But do Christians today do that or even know how to do that? Do they realize that by living by their soul, will lead to sin and death? In reality, many Christians live by their soul, therefore leading them to sin, then blame Satan for it. Satan doesn't work in the obvious and CAN'T work in our spirit; he works in the "godly" and "good" things and through our soul. The root problem is not that “Satan made me do it” but that we are not heeding the words of the Lord Jesus Christ by denying our soul, taking up our cross, following Him and let our human spirit be filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes, Satan works through our soul, but we can't blame him for every sin we do if we are the ones that are not putting our armor on by initially denying our soul, thus denying the things God hates. It is very hard to deny our soul because it is a very powerful thing, but there is life in filling our spirit with the Holy Spirit! “For to be carnally minded [living by the soul] is death, but to be spiritually minded [living by the spirit] is life and peace.” Rom 8:6. What do you think?
Hi Heather -
ReplyDeleteYes we are accountable for our actions and indeed there are unpleasant consequences when we do contrary to the Word of GOD.
The Word of God says:
1 Peter 3:17 - KJV
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Exodus 23:7 - KJV
...for I will not justify the wicked.
Exodus 14:34 - KJV
After the number of days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
I just read in the news yesterday where a rapist died right after he did the rape. That was a case of swift punishment from GOD.
People tend to get comfortable when living sinful lives because our Lord in His mercy and longsuffering doesn't always render swift justice. But it is a certainty that GOD will judge all wicked deeds. Only He knows when and how but surely He shall judge all of the foolishness, lies, deception, abuse of others...so says His Word. And everything in the Word of GOD is truth. People don't need to believe truth for it to be truth. Truth is truth, regardless...
Remember in the days of Noah and Lot? People were going about their regular routines, eating, drinking, marrying...Then those who weren't righteous were destroyed.... Genesis 7 and Genesis 19.
God is NOT a joke and many will find out that He is NOT playing. The Bible says that every knee shall bow to JESUS. One question for many is when will they bow - sooner, later or when it is too late. We will all bow!
We must continue to pray, in earnest, for people to forsake their lives of darkness and to come in to the marvelous light of GOD. And we must share the gospel truth with those who don't believe. If after they have been informed and they choose to continue to disobey the Words of GOD...the lake of fire is their destination...so says Revelation 21:8 - KJV.
For sure GOD is love, but in His Holy Bible, He tells people to choose Life or death....
Graciously and beautifully said.
ReplyDelete"If after they have been informed and they choose to continue to disobey the Words of GOD...the lake of fire is their destination...so says Revelation 21:8 - KJV." Yes, but how hard this is to accept when you so badly want them to be released from the hold sin has on them and be brought into the light of God's love and salvation! How much this should crush our spirit and bring us to our knees to pray for their salvation. Truly, there are none who are righteous, none of us! Only God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit are righteous! Praise the Lord He fills us with HIS righteousness through salvation.
Hi Heather -
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, we can only be holy and righteous through our Lord.
John 15:5 - KJV
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Yes, we must love and pray for unbelievers...only our Lord can lead us as to how to do that in accordance with His Word, His will, and His Holy Spirit.
There are people who misapply love and allow themselves to be abused and bullied by unbelievers...And sadly, there are so-called Christian believers who abuse and oppose GOD'S holy vessels of honor. Those so-called Christians (not those who are newly born-again) are judged by our Lord more seriously because, for the most part, they know better but choose not to do better. Those who are newly born-again don't know enough - yet.
Love applications should be balanced. We must seek our Lord as to how to apply love... There are people that our Lord has told me to love and to avoid... Yes, prayer for sure but when our Lord says to move on, that we must do.
Romans 16:17 - KJV
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Matthew 10:14 - KJV
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
That said, we must love because the Word of GOD says in 1 Corinthians 13 that without love, we are nothing. Let us continue to seek our Lord as to how to love, as led by His Holy Spirit.