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| Spiritual Warfare... [message #9266] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 17:48  |
 james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Spiritual Warfare...exposing Satan's lies
I want to start sharing some facts concerning Satan's tactics of deception and lies.
First, the greatest weapon he uses against Christians is condemnation ; even though we're told in Rom.8:1 that there is NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, many Christians fail to stand on The Word of God and cave in to Satan's constant accusations. And as a results their (our) spiritual growth/maturity is greatly hindered.
Another lie Satan uses is trying to make people think he is present everywhere (omnipresent), he's NOT. Believers sometimes get this idea from logical thought and from what others say. For example, brother 'Bill' in Indiana may testify how 'Satan' was attacking him yesterday and at the same time sister 'Julie' in Florida tells how 'Satan' was coming against her yesterday, while 'Fredrico' in Spain says he was under the oppression of 'Satan' yesterday. Satan can't be everywhere at once; he does have many demons (Mark 5:9)who carry out his wishes against mankind making it seem like he's everywhere.
He also wants to be thought of as all knowing (omniscient) , he's NOT. An example that comes to mind would be the crucifixion of Christ...if he knew everything in advance then he surely wouldn't have entered Judas(Luke 22:3) and brought about his own defeat. He sure don't know they day of The Lord's return, only God The Father knows that, but he does know his days are limited.
All powerful (omnipotent), is another misconception that people have of Satan, he's NOT. In his temptations of Job he was only allowed to go as far as God allowed.
Anyone is welcome to add to this, it's not to give glory to Satan, but to expose his wiles. We are in a warfare and to fight effectively we should understand basic truths about our adversary.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Spiritual Warfare... [message #9267 is a reply to message #9266] |
Thu, 17 January 2013 19:37  |
Mark L
Messages: 856
Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada |
Senior Member |
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All powerful (omnipotent), is another misconception that people have of Satan, he's NOT. In his temptations of Job he was only allowed to go as far as God allowed.
Yes I agree. I often read in xian books of how he is the biggest/strongest/greatest/highest of Gods creation.
Jude 9. Michael the archangel is stronger as he wouldn't let the devil take Moses body.
Rev. 20 "an angel" laid hold of Satan and put him the pit. If it was Michael he probably would have been identified. Just a strong angel.
Job 1/6, 2/1 He came ... Sons of God. I don't want to get too speculative here but it looks to me like he came with the ones he felt comfortable around. In regards to authority/strength/power etc
I think the Sons of God represent a class of authority in Gods kingdom the same rank as Satan holds.
The point to my comments on Job is that I don't believe he is top tier/first rank In authority and power. In my opinion he is second or more probably third or fourth tier.
You can read
"Meanderings on Scripture by Mark
https://mlederman.substack.com/
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| Re: Spiritual Warfare... [message #9270 is a reply to message #9269] |
Fri, 18 January 2013 15:19 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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"Amazing, God gives them everything and they still turn away."
In a sense it's amazing when looking back at the OT account of Israel but the tactics Satan used then is still in play today, "...the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life..." I John 2:16; he is the god of this world.
Some ways Satan influence people to turn away:
Forgetfulness- It's human nature(certainly aided by Satan and his demonic army) to allow the cares/desires/pleasures of this world to draw people back. Why? Not grounded, no fear of God (Rom.3:18); lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6); lack of warning against sin (Heb.3:13; seekers of pleasure (Heb.11:25); love evil/sin (Ps.52:3).
And let's be candid, it's only by God's Grace we stand. How many warning are there throughout The Word exhorting believers to take heed to be diligent, to daily put on the armour of God, to walk in the Spirit, to keep our eyes on Jesus.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Spiritual Warfare... [message #9271 is a reply to message #9270] |
Fri, 18 January 2013 20:01 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Additional thoughts...
Think about this, Satan is the very epitome of evil; he will entice, tempt, lure a person into committing sin, then turn around and condemn them, accusing and attempting to convience them they are without any hope of redemption.
Also he is is a usurper, first he tried to usurp Gods' authority and throne (Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19) and now he and his demons try to usurp/steal from Christians. One of the most precious things he steals from believers is quality TIME spent with The Lord. Just determine to spend intimate time alone with The Lord (prayer, study of The Word, fasting) and see how fast thoughts will come into the mind of things that 'need' doing; or how many times you're interrupted. I know there are those that believe discipline is a form of legalsim/bondage, but I don't believe one can be a disciple without discipline. I don't think one can crucify the flesh or take up our cross daily, without discipline. Speaking of spiritual warfare, warfare denotes training and preparation which require discipline. Becoming comfortable wearing and using armour for battle requires discipline/training/experience, we're called to be "good soldiers for Jesus Christ" (II Tim.2:3-4)
I really don't think the excuse, "the devil made me do it", is gonna fly when giving account of our lives.
Just some thoughts...mostly preaching to myself. 
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Spiritual Warfare... [message #9299 is a reply to message #9273] |
Thu, 24 January 2013 18:50 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Yes Gary I agree, very much of spiritual warefare is fought in our minds. Guarding the mind is critical; the enemy, Satan and his demons attack our thoughts and imagination with every trick in the book. Back when God decided to destroy man from the face of the earth with the flood, it was because of the wickedness/sin men were doing. But Genesis 6:5 tells us where the sins originated, the mind/heart of man. "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
We're admonished in II Corinthians 10:5 to: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
Standing on scripture, quoting God's promises, reminding the adversary, "thus it is written"...is crucial to walking in victory when the enemy is attempting to 'flood' our mind with confussion, doubt, fear, or anxiety. Believing and acting upon Philippians 4:6-9 has brought me peace and victory more than once.
I also agree that while Satan and his demons are always at war against us, many times it's our own flesh (wicked heart, Jeremiah 17:9) that draws us away, deceiving us.
But like I said in the earlier post, DISCIPLINE, discipline of our thoughts and imaginations, discipline in what we allow in through the 'eye-gate', what we read, watch, listen to, and mediate upon, has spiritual ramifications. I believe it takes discipline to bring our flesh into subjection to the obedience of our calling...to be holy as He is Holy.
again, preaching to myself...
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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