The truth about the ruler of the world, Satan.
1. He has come to steal and to kill and to destroy John 10:10. He steals love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, generosity, selflessness, godliness and humility. He destroys relationships, communities, careers and reputations. He kills every good thing. He brings diseases, strife and misery into the world. 1 Peter 5:8 warns that we need to be alert because our enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion looking for people to devour.
2. He is deceptive. In Genesis 3, the devil tricked Eve into believing that by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, she will become more like God. The truth is that God made Adam and Eve in his image, they were already like him. The devil made her feel that by giving her a rule, God was keeping something good from her. The truth is that God said you can enjoy everything in the garden of Eden. The truth is that God gave Adam and Eve life in abundance. He warned them against eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil for their benefit so that they would not die! The truth is that even today, God is not holding anything from us. He has put more in us that we realise. You and I have been given everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him 2 Peter 1:3. You have everything you need to become who God has called you to be!
Deception is the Devil's favourite thing to do even today. He tricks people into believe that he does not exist Revelations 12:9. He has blinded the eyes of the lost so that they do not see the glory of God 2 Corinthians 4:4. He makes people believe that by living for themselves, they are not submitting to anyone by themselves. He makes them believe that they are living on their terms and by their own rules. It's a lie. There is a spiritual warfare and you are choosing sides. God created us for HIS glory (Psalm 23:3). We are all built to worship Luke 4:8. If we do not worship Jesus then you are worshiping something else - money, family, cars, friends, your talent, career etc - and these take our eyes away from the one true God.
The devil tricks us into believing that living a holy life, a life pleasing to God, means you lack a life. Yet, when we seek the momentary happiness of this world we are never satisfied. I cannot believe how week after week I was constantly searching for the better party, planning for my next holiday, planning for my next car and constantly comparing myself to others - unsatisfied with my journey and life. Yet, Jesus says he is life and life in abundance!
The result for me, is that have a joy rooted deep down in my soul! I am able take every moment and be grateful to God that he would make it possible! I enjoy and savour spending time with my family and friends more than I did before. I love dearly because I am drawing my love from Christ and it's overflowing to others. I am generous in the mist of what may be perceived as lack. I am believing and trusting God for healing when the doctors reports say it's impossible. I am learning to build child-like faith where I believe that through Christ I can do all things.
3. To use the words of Mark Driscoll, as a Christian, the devil is actively at war against you. We need to put on the full armour of God Ephesians 6:10-13. In Jesus, there is personal protection from and authority over the devil Luke 10:18-20. There is power in the name of Jesus.
Additional resources:
- How you may be opening doors to the demons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgOfNI_QHsI
- 2 ways to look at demons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aYQ5UyADHM
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