Dealing with the Enemy

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

2 Corinthians 2:11

Throughout his epistles, Apostle Paul warns the saints not to be deceived by the enemy; not to be ignorant of the many devices that he employs against the children of God.  Once in Christ, we are new creatures but the enemy always desires to return us to our former state. 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

We must be consistently and consciously aware that he is always seeking to destroy us; to take our focus off of God.

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

The enemy has to be dealt with, we can not simply close our eyes and wish him away, we must take action to remain victorious in God:

Ø    Avoid every satanic influence.  

God warned Israel to avoid every type of Satanic influence:

. . . destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places.  Numbers 33:52

God makes perfectly plain His instruction in knowing what is and is not of Him.  Read the additional instructions God gives to the children of Israeal: 

When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, 

v   thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 

v    There shall not be found among you any one that

 

       *  maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that 

       *  useth divination, 

       *  or an observer of times, 

       *  or an enchanter, or a witch. 

       * Or a charmer, 

       * or a consulter with familiar spirits, 

       * or a wizard, 

       * or a necromancer. 

For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.   Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Israel was to have no contact with the work of Satan in any form.

Destroy anything we own that has to do with witchcraft or the work of the devil. This includes idols, lucky charms, potions, amulets, crystal balls, games, divining devices, and other similar items. Destroy any evil literature and music that does not glorify God. This is what the people in Ephesus did when they became believers:

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men, and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.     Acts 19:19

Do not spend time in places where there is evil influence. The Bible records that God manifested Himself in special places such as the arc of the covenant and the upper room of a house on the Day of Pentecost. It is equally true that Satanic power can be manifested in special places dedicated to evil. This includes places where evil pictures are shown, drinking and riotous behavior is occurring, seances are being held, worship of Satan is occurring --anywhere sinful practices are going on. Avoid such environments, because Satan's power is especially strong there. We cannot pray, "Lead me not into temptation," and then put our self in such a place:

 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.   1 Corinthians 10:20

Do not associate with false leaders, teachers, prophets, ministers or apostles:

Abstain from all appearance of evil.  1 Thessalonians 5:22

Ø    Recognize God's power is greater than Satan.  

God's organization, the true church, which is the body of Christ, is more powerful than that of Satan:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.   Ephesians 1:22-23

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.   Ephesians 3:10

Jesus is the head of the Church. Believers are the body. If all things (including Satan and his religious structure) are under the feet of Jesus, then they are also under our feet because we are the body. "Under the feet" means they are under the power and authority which God has delegated to us. Jesus said we have power over "all the power of the enemy".   

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 

This includes spiritual wickedness in high places. Satan and his hosts challenge God's power, but they certainly are not a threat to Him or His people. The Church is actually to demonstrate God's power to these evil principalities and powers!

Ø    Learn biblical power principles.  

If we understand the principles of God's power, we will not be deceived by the counterfeit works of Satan.

Learn to rely on Jesus in every aspect of your life. This can only come through knowledge, experience and application of God's word.

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