YOUR ADVERSARY
As man ventures deeper and deeper into worldwide catastrophe, chaos, and conflict, there seems to be many questions on the minds of people everywhere. How did we get ourselves in this mess? Why is there so much hatred, murder, and destruction in the world today? What is this world destined for, and how will it end?
However, there is good news--God is still alive, and Jesus still saves and delivers. He said He will never leave us nor forsake us. As a matter of fact, God tells us He will be with us even until the end of the age. We can take heart in knowing that nothing by any means can harm us when we are trusting in God. (Luke 10:19).
In today’s society where trouble and sin abounds on every hand, these questions as well as many others provoke even the most faithful of God’s people to seek answers. Many Christians are finding themselves at their wit’s end fighting to keep their sanity and the peace of mind God promises in His Word.
You can pick up a newspaper and read about satanic cults, soaring crime rates, new terrorist attacks, global financial worries, and wars and rumors of wars all around the world. We are inundated with stories of child molestation, incest, homosexual marriage, murder, and all manner of sin abounding on every hand. If things are contrary to what is pure and holy in the eyes of God, you find them overtaking society as a whole. The Lord spoke to me and told me “A total meltdown of society is coming.”
Although there is a lot of bad news in the headlines today, we can take heart because the Scripture says “where sin abounds God’s grace is found in much greater abundance.” (Romans 5:20). Jesus is still Lord, and God has not, and never will be, dethroned. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God’s Word is the only thing which remains constant in a world that is constantly changing and growing more evil day by day.
In Christ we can find peace which surpasses all understanding. In Christ we can find the help we need in times of trial and tribulation. In Christ we can find ourselves constantly being comforted, fed, and nourished when the rest of the world falls apart. Jesus is an ever present help in the time of tribulation and sorrow.
Christ is the light of our salvation and our hope in the time of need. In Christ we find the “Living Word.” In Christ we find all which is good, honorable and righteous. In Christ there is no darkness or shadow of turning. We find hope in the saving, delivering, and manifest presence and power of Christ.
With Satan we find just the opposite. With Satan we find death, destruction, and debauchery. In Satan we find ungodliness, unholiness, and evil. As unchanging in truth and righteousness as Christ is, we find Satan as unchanging in unholiness, depravity, and evil.
With sin abounding on every hand, we see Satan hard at work trying to destroy all that is good and pure in the Church. Satan is the sinner’s adversary and his god. To God’s chosen, the Church, Satan is their adversary but not their god. God’s chosen, through the Blood of Jesus, overcomes the adversary who walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
Satan has a ministry to perform. He comes to steal, kill, destroy, and devour all who fall into the snares he sets. Satan is the epitome and embodiment of all evil. He is the father of all sin, sacrilege, and self-deception. When an act of evil has been perpetrated any place in the universe, it is the offspring of the seed of Satan’s evil nature and character.
There is no light, equity, goodness, righteousness, love or integrity in Satan’s character, just pure ungodly, unadulterated and unfathomable evil. His soul is darker than the darkest night; his kingdom is more despicable, foul, nasty, vulgar and filthy than anything anyone can describe or imagine.
Before his fall from grace Satan was known as “The Covering Chereb.” The Bible tells us that Lucifer was the most majestic and melodiously anointed angel of all the “angels of light.” He is described as an angel with beauty, grace, and heralding which far surpassed all of his angelic peers. Lucifer had an army of angels of light under his command as he served God in Heaven.
According to scripture, all the light and glory which Lucifer possessed in Heaven as praise and worship leader was not enough for him. He wanted to ascend to God’s Throne and become “like the Most High God.” (Isaiah 14:14). Lucifer, also known as “The Son of the Morning,” was not satisfied with just being the great “covering angel.” He desired to possess greater status among the “heavenly hosts.” Lucifer’s greatest desire was to sit and rule upon the Throne of God.
Isaiah, Chapter 14, Verses 11-17, reads: THY POMP IS BROUGHT DOWN TO THE GRAVE, AND THE NOISE OF THY VIOLS; THE WORM IS SPREAD UNDER THEE, AND THE WORMS COVER THEE. HOW ART THOU FALLEN, O LUCIFER, SON OF THE MORNING! HOW ART THOU CUT DOWN TO THE GROUND, WHICH DID WEAKEN THE NATIONS! FOR THOU HAST SAID IN THINE HEART, I WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN, I WILL EXALT MY THRONE ABOVE THE STARS OF GOD; I WILL SIT ALSO UPON THE MOUNT OF THE CONGREGATION, IN THE SIDES OF THE NORTH; I WILL ASCEND ABOVE THE HEIGHTS OF THE CLOUDS; I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH. YET THOU SHALT BE BROUGHT DOWN TO HELL, TO THE SIDES OF THE PIT. THEY THAT SEE THEE SHALL NARROWLY LOOK UPON THEE, AND CONSIDER THEE SAYING, IS THIS THE MAN THAT MADE THE EARTH TO TREMBLE, THAT DID SHAKE KINGDOMS.
It may or may not be the will of God for us to know all that transpired before and during the fall of Lucifer, Son of the Morning. I can speculate and wonder about all that happened during the fall, but all of that is not important. The important thing is the fact that Satan has been cast down from Heaven, and now we have to deal with him here on Earth. Understanding the reason God cast Satan out of Heaven and the way in which He did it will give us a greater understanding of how we can deal with Satan here on Earth. Knowledge of our adversary’s attitudes, strengths, and motives will lead us to victory when he comes to “steal, kill, and destroy.”
It is an elementary statement to say that everything evil comes from Satan and everything good comes from God. Yes, God is good, and the Devil is bad. Yes, everything God does, He does for righteousness sake. Everything Satan does, he does because he is motivated by the evil which resides within him. All evil which exists can be found in Satan or traced back to him.
If we know that God is good and the devil is bad, why do so many Christians follow the wrong path and perform (as the Apostle Paul said) the evil instead of the good that lies within them? Why do so many Christians miss the mark of their calling from on high? Why does sin have control in certain areas of the lives of some people and not others? Why do some Christians have problems with certain sins, while other Christians have trouble with different sins in their lives?
Why do Christians have a problem with sin at all? Why do some Christians have to go through life being subject to sin and the condemnation sin brings? Why did Christ die on the cross? Does the cleansing Blood of Christ give us power over sin and spiritual death? These are some of the questions many Christians wrestle with.
One of the travesties in the Church today is the doctrine which says “You are going to sin every day,” or even worse that “You HAVE to sin every day.” To some believers these statements seem absurd, which indeed they are. However, some Christians are taught these ungodly doctrines in their churches. This doctrine is not biblical and it is founded upon doctrines of devils.
A young man who worked for me came to me one Monday morning and told me a message was preached in his Church the day before saying “people have to sin every day.” I was totally appalled by what he told me. I have visited churches where pastors and teachers have propagated this ungodly doctrine as well. This doctrine is a slap in the face of Jesus. Jesus was crucified so we would have power over sin, not so sin would have power over us. The redemptive plan of God was carried out so we would not have to sin, not so we could sin.
I realize that we all possess the propensity to sin, but to say that “we must sin or we will sin every day” is a heretical abomination which has no scriptural foundation. If I thought I had to commit at least one sin every day, I would not want to get out of bed in the morning. If I knew I was going to commit sin every day, I could not wake up with praise on my lips for my Lord. If I knew that sin was expected to be a part of my daily life, I could not serve my Lord with a joyful heart.
Jesus paid the price to set us free from the bondage of sin so we would not have to commit sin anymore. However, I know that if I do sin, God is faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness when I sincerely repent. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Only Jesus was without sin. Fortunately, as Christians, Christ dwells within us giving us power to overcome sin. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
Doctrines like these keep many believers from experiencing all the grace and power God has promised His children. The propagation of doctrines of devils keeps the body of Christ from experiencing miracles, signs, and wonders of God in their midst.
Job, Chapter 1, Verses 6-7 reads: NOW THERE WAS A DAY WHEN THE SONS OF GOD CAME TO PRESENT THEMSELVES BEFORE THE LORD, AND SATAN CAME ALSO AMONG THEM AND THE LORD SAID UNTO SATAN, WHENCE COMEST THOU? THEN SATAN ANSWERED THE LORD, FROM GOING TO AND FRO IN THE EARTH, AND WALKING UP AND DOWN IN IT.
The Apostle Paul said “Satan as a roaring lion walks around seeking whom he may devour.” I think we can safely say Satan’s main objective, as Jesus said, was to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan walks to and fro on Earth seeking to devour the weak in faith.
We know that God cast Satan out of Heaven along with his angelic entourage consisting of one-third of the angels. These rebellious angels were cursed and bound in “chains of darkness” which separated them from the God of Light and the Light of God.
Some people have a lack of knowledge and understanding of what effect these cursed angels have on their lives and how they can powerfully and effectively deal with them. Many believers fail to realize that most of their problems are caused by demonic influences and the doctrines they promote. The weak in faith have enough problems dealing with the flesh, and certainly do not need their enemies pouring more fuel on the fire.
In the beginning God planted a garden which He called Eden. He created Adam and Eve and gave them the responsibility of working and “keeping (guarding) the garden.” We all know the story of how the Serpent deceived Eve in the garden which eventually brought about the downfall of mankind.
It was in the Garden of Eden where the deceiver, Satan, used what we now call the “spirit of witchcraft” to deceive Eve into eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. I will write more about the Spirit of Witchcraft in a later Chapter. After being adopted by the Father and Mother of all living, that spirit became a part of their human nature. This aspect of the “fallen nature” has since been passed down from generation to generation. Adam’s nature was much different “in the beginning” before he sinned. After God created Adam, He breathed His own Spirit into the frame of Adam, and he became a “living soul.”
After Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden Eve conceived and bore two sons. Cain, the first born, became a “tiller of the ground.” Abel, the second son, was a “keeper of sheep.” Both Cain and Abel brought a sacrifice unto the Lord. God was not pleased with Cain’s sacrifice because it was a “sacrifice of works” and not of faith. God was looking for a heart-felt sacrifice. A sacrifice of blood prophetically represents Christ pouring out His Blood as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. The Blood of Christ is the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins.
Because his sacrifice was rejected by God Cain slew Abel in a jealous rage. It was obvious that the “nature of the Serpent” had been passed down to Cain and was now residing in and ruling his heart. Cain’s sacrifice represented a “sacrifice of works.” The doctrine espoused through salvation by works can never cleanse the heart and wash away sin.
Instead of the godly characteristics which Abel possessed, Cain possessed and displayed many of the characteristics of the Serpent, Satan. Those characteristics had been passed down to Cain by his parents who had disobeyed God and had eaten of the forbidden fruit.
Cain was prideful like the Serpent who had been cast out of Heaven for his rebellion. Rage, hate, jealousy, pride, and murder were all part of the ungodly character Cain inherited from the Serpent. Cain inherited these characteristics from the “subtle serpent” who introduced them to his parents in the Garden of Eden. Jealously triggered a hatred in the heart of Cain for his brother Abel. Hatred turned into wrath, wrath into judgment, and judgment into satanically inspired justice. Cain ruled his own domain instead of allowing the peace of God to rule his spirit.
Cain was different from his father Adam. When Adam sinned, he tried to hide his shame from God. He then tried to justify his sin before God by blaming Eve. Adam knew he had disobeyed God and understood judgment was imminent. On the other hand, Cain tried to justify himself when God tried to convict him of his sin. Adam knew he had sinned and realized he needed “justification,” so he began making excuses for his actions. Adam needed a way of escape from his sin and shame, but didn’t know the correct way to find it. For Adam, blaming Eve was his justification. For Eve, blaming the Serpent was her justification.
The fact that Adam knew that judgment was imminent tells us that he knew the relationship between himself and God must somehow be restored. Adam realized along with sin came injurious consequences, and he was looking for a way to escape retribution. He tried to hide his shame by blaming his sinful actions on Eve. In doing so, Adam was not only trying to deceive God, which is impossible, but he was deceiving himself into thinking God “might” believe him.
We see certain attitudes being passed down first to Adam, then to Cain, from the Serpent who continued to tempt them. Shame (sin) needed a covering, and blame could be passed on to someone else if Cain could find a “worthy victim.”
Cain’s poor choice of sacrifice was his first mistake. He should have known what God expected of him. Cain was raised by the same parents as Abel. He sat at the same dinner table and ate the same food Abel ate. He went to the same church and heard the same sermons his brother heard.
If Cain did not know what God expected of him, it was because he was not listening to what he was told or he rejected “the Word” he had heard. That is called rebellion. Rebellion is fueled by pride. Pride is the reason Lucifer was thrown out of Heaven. Cain was not interested in what God expected, but what HE wanted to offer God as a sacrifice.
Cain’s sacrifice was not a sacrifice of his reasonable service, but one of his own choosing. It was not only Cain’s sacrifice which God rejected, but the motive for bringing such a sacrilegious sacrifice before God. With Cain’s unacceptable sacrifice and ungodly motives rejected, Cain somehow had to justify himself and try to cover his own shame. The only outlet he found was through his rage. Someone had to become the focus of Cain’s self-righteous rage, and for him righteous Abel would be his salvation.
Abel’s righteous sacrifice was a “sacrifice of faith.” Abel’s sacrifice was prophetic of the sacrifice which Christ would offer, the unblemished Lamb of God, who would eventually take away the sins of the world. Abel’s sacrifice was “prophetically inspired,” while Cain’s sacrifice was a sacrifice of the “works” of his hands. We could call it “works without faith” or “dead works.”
According to Jeremiah “the heart (or spirit) is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked according.” Carnal man does not possess the righteousness of God, but manufactures a false righteousness within his heart. This is called “self-righteousness.”
When God created Adam, righteousness was breathed into his heart. Man was created to possess God’s righteousness. Adam was created in the image of God. When God’s righteousness no longer dwells within men, they must settle for the only other substitute for righteousness which is “self-righteousness.” Through pride, self-righteousness was what Lucifer created in his own heart to replace the righteousness of God. A self-righteous person is a person who rules and reigns in his own heart being his own god. The “true God” can only dwell on the throne of a righteous heart. Pride will always reign in the hearts of those who reject the righteousness of God.
Self-righteousness and pride drink from the same bitter fountain which ebbed forth in Lucifer when he desired God’s throne, a throne which he could never attain. Lucifer wanted to be in charge of his own kingdom (heart) and receive praise and adoration from the heavenly hosts around him. He desired for all of Heaven to make beautiful melodies in honor of him as he sat on the throne of God and ruled in Heaven.
God said “I AM;” Lucifer said, “No, I will be I AM.” Lucifer’s attempt to be “his own god” led to his demise, and he ultimately found himself being thrown out of Heaven. The fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden was preceded by the “sin of rebellion.” In aligning himself with the “spirit of rebellion” man aligns himself with the god of this world, Satan. When sin is conceived in the heart, it brings forth death. (Read James 1:14-15).
Satan is called the “god of this world,” and his subjects are those who follow and serve him with self-righteous motives and ungodly attitudes. If we reject the “Word” of the living God, we reject the truth; and will find ourselves in rebellion against God.
Just as Lucifer desired to rule his own spiritual domain, Cain also desired to rule his own spirit. Just as Lucifer wanted the angelic hosts in Heaven to fall down on their knees and worship him, Cain also felt he should rule his own life, as well as the lives of those around him. Cain wanted to live by his “own rules,” not by rules which were dictated to him by someone else. Rebellion is as the “sin of witchcraft” or “divination.” (1 Samuel 15:23). The sin of witchcraft rules the hearts of the rebellious, self-righteous, and self-serving.
Fallen mankind tends to be “his own worse adversary or enemy.” If man did not have to deal with his carnal nature, his heart would be a field of rest and relaxation. In the military a vacation from the battlefield is called R&R, which stands for rest and recuperation.
We are fighting a “spiritual” war, and sometimes our worst enemy is the person who is looking back at us when we look in the mirror each morning. That image is where discipline and knowledge must come into focus so we can fight the spiritual battles of the day. The mind is where Cain lost his battle with his greatest enemy, himself.
Satan despises anything with the label “righteousness of God” attached to it. Just as Cain slew his innocent brother, Abel, because he was “wroth” with him, Satan seeks to destroy the God-righteousness in true believers. Satan does this by using the Spirit of Witchcraft and manipulation to draw true believers away from their God-called destiny. Sometimes Satan does this by planting false teachings in the hearts and minds of believers. Many times Satan uses his subtle powers of persuasion through fear, confusion, and intimidation, to manipulate and control people.
There are many deceiving, confusing, and deceptive spirits which are roaming this Earth today. I am not implying that there is a demon under every bush, under every bed, or hidden in the closet. However, many people would be shocked to know how many evil spirits exist around them.
There are many Christians who do not believe demons exist. I have seen and have had encounters with hundreds of demons over the years, and God has revealed to me how to recognize and deal with them. The Lord has given me “discernment” so I can see into the realm of the spirit to witness the movements and strategies of devils, as well as angels.
I have seen devils in many places, including churches. I have seen them enter into churches with people and pastors. God has given me the ability to recognize them and reveals to me their assignments and strategies. God has given me grace and favor to defeat them through the Blood of Jesus Christ in my life and in the lives of others.
The Bible calls Satan “our adversary.” (1 Peter 5:8). Paul said “Satan walks around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” 2 Corinthians, Chapter 10, Verses 3-4 says: FOR THOUGH WE WALK IN THE FLESH, WE DO NOT WAR AFTER THE FLESH. FOR THE WEAPONS OUR WARFARE ARE NOT CARNAL; BUT MIGHTY THROUGH GOD TO THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONGHOLDS.
Over the years I have taught several series on Spiritual Warfare. One of the biggest problems I find throughout the Church is the fact that many Christians do not know they have an adversary who is trying to hinder their daily walk with the Lord. Even if they realize they have an adversary, they do not know how or are unable to combat him.
There are seven basic elements which an army needs and must have in warfare. They are knowledge, strategy, weapons, defense, discipline, personnel, and supplies. These are some of the same basic elements needed to fight our battles with the demonic powers who are seeking to destroy and devour the souls of all mankind. Spiritual Warfare can be compared to natural warfare in many ways. I will address the strategies and weapons which we have at our disposal later. As we continue to learn more about different demon spirits and spiritual wickedness which we encounter in our daily lives, we will gain greater power and victory over the devil in every area of our lives.
There are demon spirits whose only job is to “promote and plant false doctrines” in churches, as well as non-Christian organizations without the knowledge of those congregations or groups. They do this by influencing people with doctrines which may sound good, but are subtle traps used to entice them into believing lies. In reality, they are actually propagating doctrines of demons which are conjured up or are created by the Principalities and Rulers of Darkness. Ruler Demons pass down their devilish doctrines through the lower ranks of demons and devils who, in turn, plant them in the hearts and minds of anyone who will listen.
False doctrines hinder believers from experiencing the full potential of the glory and power of Christ in their lives. Several writers in the New Testament warned the Church about false teachers and false doctrines.
We must realize that although some teachers “at times” may teach false doctrines, it does not make them false teachers. It only means some of the doctrines they are teaching are erroneous. There are many sincere people called to teach who lack biblical understanding in some areas of the truth because they have been taught erroneous doctrines. Many if not all denominations have some unbiblical teachings and doctrines which have been subtly planted and established within the churches.
Many teachers are misinformed and misguided at times. However, that does not necessarily make them false teachers. If a message is false, that message can and will have a severe impact, not only on the teacher of the false doctrine but also in the lives of those who adhere to it or accept it as truth. We must remember that all truth is God breathed, and will always produce the fruit of righteousness in us--not the fruit of unrighteousness.
False doctrines are always a hindrance to the life of a believer who adheres to them. Applying some false doctrines to their life will ultimately end in sin and failure. They will fall into temptation somewhere down the road if they are not spiritually enlightened by the “TRUTH.” Those problems may eventually also bleed over into other parts of their lives, as well as into the lives of others around them.
Paul wrote in 1 Timothy, Chapter 4, Verses 1-2: NOW THE SPIRIT SPEAKS EXPRESSLY THAT IN THE LATTER PART SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH GIVING HEED TO DECEIVING SPIRITS AND DOCTRINES OF DEVILS SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY HAVING THEIR CONSCIENCE SEARED WITH A HOT IRON.
Satan’s greatest weapon is his “power to deceive the nations.” His power to deceive the nations also includes his power to “deceive believers.” Satan’s powers of deception continue to be a hindrance to the power OF the Church and the power IN the Church. Satan is fighting a psychological war which is being fought on the” battlefield of our minds.”
Satan set up the Kingdom of Darkness in much the same way the Kingdom of God is set up. Every aspect of Satan’s Kingdom is a substitute for every aspect of the Kingdom of God. However, in the Kingdom of Darkness every principle which regulates human behavior is the direct opposite of those we find in the Kingdom of God. For example, the Kingdom of God is called the Kingdom of Light. Satan’s Kingdom is called the Kingdom of Darkness. Instead of finding faith, love, and truth in Satan’s Kingdom, we find fear, hatred, and deception.
As believers we sometimes find ourselves at a crossroads in time when we must decide whether or not to put away the deceitful practices of the past. We can fight against the forces of darkness or we can go on being deceived with the rest of the world. There will always be spiritual battles to fight. Therefore, we MUST learn how we can always be victorious over our adversaries. If we choose not to fight, we are relinquishing the territory of our minds to Satan.
The Lord spoke to me a few years ago and said “There is a line which I have drawn in the sand. Every believer must step across the line and join with me in truth or they will be left to suffer the consequences with the rest of the world. The time is coming and is now here when all who are asleep shall awaken. Some will awake to everlasting life and peace and others to everlasting death and destruction.” (paraphrased).
This is not a time for crying and weeping, but a time of rejoicing and praising God who has brought us out of darkness into His marvelous Light. It is a time to shake off the filthiness of the flesh and put on our “robes of righteousness” for He who loves and cares for us has prepared “a way in the Wilderness” so we may find rest.
In our journey here on Earth we may walk in a wilderness which surrounds us, but the wilderness does not have to be within us. If Christ finds a wilderness in us, then we have not stepped over into the promises and plan of God for our lives. We will be found outside His protection where scorpions, snakes, and all the powers of Darkness are waiting to wreak havoc upon the unsuspecting nations.
The “power to deceive” must and will be excommunicated from the true Church before the second advent of Christ. Satan must be cast out of the Church in order for the Church to prosper and perform the miraculous as God intended. All forms of witchcraft, deception, and evil must be exorcized from the body of Christ if we are going to experience the pureness and holiness of Christ uninhibited.
If we are going to experience God’s best, all demonically breathed and inspired influence must be cast down and eliminated. When this happens we will see Satan fall from the heavenly realm of our minds and become as grass under our feet. We must not fail to recognize our enemy or the tactics which he uses to enslave the hearts and minds of men and women everywhere.