The Adversary Exposed

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or

 this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; 

lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 

Acts 5:38-39

When we do not understand God's purpose and plan, we may be tempted to become discouraged in the conflicts of life. This is why many Christian soldiers fail in warfare: they do not understand the divine purpose behind the battle.

This is spiritual warfare because this battle is not a natural battle; it is fought in the spirit against an unseen enemy – though the results may be seen in the natural; it is occurring in the spirit realm!

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.  Ephesians 6:12

When we do not understand God's purpose and plan, we may be tempted to become discouraged in the conflicts of life. This is why many believers fail in warfare.   They don't understand the divine purpose behind the battle nor the type of battle; rather it be defensive or offensive, that they are fighting.

We should not be fearful in taking a stance against the enemy because our victory is already assured.  In all instances know that God is doing this thing!  Amidst  all the opposition that Zerubbabel came against when rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem He was informed that the battle belonged to God:

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.  Zechariah 4:6 

We shouldn’t ask ourselves why then, if God is doing this thing; why do I have to be spiritually fit and ready to war when the bible says that the battle belongs to God?  Here’s why:

First, we are to be fit in our spiritual attire because the bible tells us that it is the only way we can stand in spiritual warfare:

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Ephesians 6:13

Secondly, we don’t want to become unconscious; lose all sight and awareness of what’s going on, we don’t want to faint:

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Galatians 6:9

 From the beginning of time, every natural battle that has been fought always had a purpose for which it was waged. It is important to understand the purpose of spiritual warfare. This involves understanding the purposes of God the Father and God the son, Jesus Christ.

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  Ephesians 1:10

From the beginning of time, Satan has battled against the fulfillment of this purpose. Our own warfare in the spirit world is related to this purpose of God. Satan battles to bring our heart, mind, spirit, and soul into allegiance to him instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  Luke 10:27

This is what the bible says and this is th reason Satan fights us.  But God has given us strategies to fight back.  As God releases His body to do His will, perform His purpose, we need to know what are the strategies of God. 

Basic to both offensive and defensive warfare is knowledge of the strategies of the enemy, Satan; why?

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11

The word "devices" means a scheme, project, plot or underhanded plan of evil character. Satan can gain advantage over you when you are ignorant of his devices and fail to respond in offensive and defensive battle.

The enemy will come against us with our own personal weaknesses.  In Ephesians, Apostle Paul is admonishing about giving in to anger.  He ends with the statement:

Neither give place to the Devil.  Ephesians 4:27

This ending statement can be used for all of our negative and ungodly feelings such as fear, defeat, depression, maliciousness, etc.  We cannot allow Satan to use our ungodly feelings against us.

God works in us to accomplish His purpose:  

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:13

God also works through our life to accomplish His purposes:  

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.  Romans 6:13

When we yield ourself to become "instruments of righteousness unto God," it means we bring our life and ministry into harmony with His purpose and plans. By doing this, we become a target for God's enemy, Satan.

He that committeth sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil.  1 John 3:8

The reason Jesus came into the world was to destroy the works of Satan. This immediately set Him in opposition to the enemy:

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.     John 10:10

From the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus set about destroying the works of Satan:

*         He revealed the bondage of sin      (John 8:34),

*        He forgave sins                                  (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12,17; Luke 4:17-32),

*         He stressed the heart condition rather than the deception of outward appearance
       (Matthew 15:16-20; Mark 7:20-23; Luke 6:45; 11:39),

*        He healed the sick                             (Matthew 11:5),

*        He raised people from the dead     (Mark 5:35-43; Luke 8:49- 56; John 11),

*         He released people from demonic powers       (Matthew 8:16).

Jesus not only destroyed the works of Satan, He also exposed the devious strategies of the enemy:

*       He taught on the deception of Satan which would increase during the last days on earth             
       (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 17:22-37; 21:8-36; Matthew 24-25).

*         He warned us not to fear those that allow Satan to use them    (Matthew 10:28).

*        He spoke of the necessity of binding the strong man (Satan) before spoiling his goods 
       (Matthew 12:26-30; Mark 3:23-27; Luke 11:17-24).

*         He revealed how Satan tries to prevent the Word of God from being effective in the  hearts of men and women 
       (Matthew 13:38; Mark 4:15; Luke 8:12).

*         He exposed those who were not right with God as being of their "father, the devil 
       (John 8:44-47).

*      He revealed Satan as the "prince of the world"   (John 14:30).

Although Jesus came to bring the peace of God 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 14:27 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7 

and peace with God, 

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:   Romans 5:1

His coming also brought division:

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.  And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.       Matthew 10:34-36

Jesus divided all men into two battle camps. It is not possible to be neutral:  

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24

                                                         

Jesus made it very plain when He said:  

He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.   Luke 11:23

Jesus spoke of this great division in an illustration about two paths; one which was straight and narrow and one which was broad. He warned of the deception of Satan's broad path which many, even today, still take.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Matthew 7:13-14  

Through the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus removed the veil between life and death. He let men see the end result of choosing the wrong way.

Because He was sent to destroy and expose the works of Satan, Jesus was under assault throughout His earthly life. The enemy constantly tried to destroy Him or prevent Him from fulfilling the mission for which He had come. The moment He was born, an attempt was made on His life. During His public ministry there were several plots on His life and at least one attempt which was aborted. He met the opposition of demonic powers, religious leaders, His own followers, and Satan.

When we align our self with the plan and purposes of Jesus by accepting Him as our Savior, we become part of the army that wars against Satan. The purposes of Jesus become our purposes and this sets us in a tactical position of direct opposition to the enemy.

The basic battle plan for spiritual warfare is based on six major points. These are:

           *      The Word Of God

           *      Delegated Power And Authority

           *     Prayer

           *      Fasting

           *      Keys To The Kingdom

           *     The Name Of Jesus

Now that we have the tools and the understanding of why we are in this battle, let's put on the whole armor of God and let Him use us.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  Ephesians 6:11

(Biblical Studies)







12/09/14
03/01/16
03/31/17
12/14/18
06/06/20

04/26/22