I don’t know about you, but I have been CRAZY busy lately! Finals, midterms, papers, oh my! Not to mention the usual mommy and wife responsibilites. But in the midst of chaos, God provides His peace and mercy. I am so unworthy of His loving-kindness and yet He lavishes His grace upon me. Just a few personal thoughts this morning to go with your Cup-o-Joe.
Lately many of the people (adults and kids) I have spiritual discussions with are struggling with spiritual warfare. What is it? Who is Satan? How do I fight? Many years ago I wrote a curriculumn for adults on spiritual warfare. I don’t have a lot of time to devote to writing anew these days, so forgive me while I recycle. This is a list of scripture detailing who our adversary is and what his limitations are. In any battle the first rule is know your enemy. I hope this helps in your understanding of the enemy. Blessings to you!
1Pet 5:8-9 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Job in Chapters 1 and 2, is allowed to be tested by Satan, note that he has to ask permission from God and he is limited in what he may do.
Zec. 3 Satan is our accuser.
Matt 4 Satan is the tempter and perverts the scriptures.
Mark 4:15, Luke 8:12 Satan snatches the Word that is sown in the hearts of men who do not receive it with gladness preventing them from being saved.
Mark 8:33 Satan is mindful of the things of man not the things of God, which is very important, when we are discerning choices and making decisions for our families.
Luke 13:16 Satan has the power to bind those who are not believers.
Luke 22:31 Satan desires to sift us as wheat, but Christ intercedes on our behalf praying for us to remain strong in our faith.
2Cor 11:14 Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
1 Thes 2 Satan hinders the spread of the gospel.
2 Thes 2:9 Satan is the lawless one.
Rev 12:9 Satan deceives the whole world.
Rev 16:14 Satan works lying wonders.
1Tim 3:7 Satan ensnares the wicked who do his work.
1 Tim 3:6 Satan is proud and will use pride in Christians to cause them to fall.
Eph 2:2 Satan is the prince of the power of the air at work in those who disobey.
James 4:7 Satan is a coward, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”
John 8:44 Satan is a murderer, hates truth and is the father of lies.
Acts 13:10 Satan is the enemy of all that is good perverting the truth.
Eph. 6:16 Satan throws fiery darts or wicked thoughts into our minds, but he cannot read your thoughts.
I found this helpful summary to clarify our understanding…
The devil is not all powerful – He can only function within the permissive will of God.
The devil is not omnipresent – He can only exist in one place at a time.
The devil is not all knowing – The devil does not know your thoughts.
The devil is not the adversary of God – He is the adversary of man.
The devil is not the Antichrist – The Antichrist was only a man.
The devil is not the author of sin – Sin exists independently of the devil.
The devil is not the negative element in a dualistic theology – The nature of evil does not necessitate such a dichotomy.
The devil will not rule hell – Hell is the devil’s punishment, he fears hell.
The devil cannot possess a Christian – Christians are possessed by the Holy Spirit. The devil is not permitted by God to possess the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
Evil does not represent the devil – The devil represents evil, not the other way around.
The devil is not always the cause of misfortune – Misfortune occurs naturally as a result of our fallen nature. The devil is not concerned with your success or failure.
The devil is not at war with God – There is no battle for souls between God and the devil. The battle is between man and the devil.
Crave 