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Since sin has come into
the world, Satan has been on the warpath to defeat the sons of God.
Since Satan fell from his divine position, his main agenda is to tear
man from his divine position with God. Satan and his evil spirits are at
war with God's children. When God's children are engaged in trials and
tribulations, where should we turn? If someone harms you, should you
take matter's in your own hands, returning evil for evil? No, as
believing hristians, God is our spiritual leader and our general at war.
He will give instructions and commands to hearken to, and being in His
army, He will give us the strategies on how to fight the enemy. So, if
we are to engage the enemy in war, let's review some of Satan's
strategies that he uses to break your personal relationship with God.
1. Satan begins with
having you doubt God's Word and His promises, leading to disbelief and
finally rejection of the Word and Son of God. Rejection such as God
never existed or unbelief in Jesus as the Son of God, or the power of
the Holy Spirit.
2. Another of Satan's
tactics is misusing, then confusing the Word of God. He began this
tactic in the Garden of Eden with Eve. Satan misused the Word of God.
That created confusion with Eve, then the confusion created a desire
within Eve that made the fruit look good to eat, pleasant to the eye,
and a tree to be desired to make one wise. ( Read Gen. 3:1-7)
3. Rebellion against the
commandments of God is another strategy of Satan.
But Jesus says "He who has
My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves
Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself
to him (John 14:21)" If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15).
4. False Religion. This is
a common practice used by Satan. Satan uses those who change the truth
of God into a lie to lure men to worship idols such as; man, animals,
heavenly bodies, material possessions, man made rules or traditions,
etc. instead of worshipping God. (Read Rom. 1: 22-25)
5. Unforgiveness. Any
build up of unforgiveness can separate man spiritually, physically, and
mentally from God. How? Satan commonly uses family members, friends,
coworkers, cults, other church members (term as friendly fire), racism,
anything or anyone of the world, to harm you spiritually, physically,
mentally, financially, and etc. You may be carrying some unforgiveness
in your heart towards somebody that scarred you, but we must surrender
these emotions and scars to the Lord. The Lord God will heal you. We
must remember that, If we do not forgive others when they sin against
us, how do we expect our Father in Heaven to forgive us of our sins.
God's Word says "whenever you stand praying, if you have anything
against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in Heaven may also forgive
your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in
Heaven forgive your trespasses (Mark 11:25-26; Matt. 6:14-15, 18:35).
By using these strategies,
Satan's primary goal is to get you to turn from the Will of God, by
denying the Word of God, and the salvation of the cross. If Satan can
get you to hearken unto him, he will ultimately destroy you. Satan, your
enemy will kill, steal, and destroy you anyway he can, if you let him.
"For we not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12)
Q. How can we keep from
being devoured by Satan and our enemies?
A. "Finally brethren be
strong in the Lord and in power of His might. Put on the whole armor of
God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having the breastplate of righteousness;
and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; and
above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, and watching there unto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints (Eph. 6:10-11, 13-18)"
Let's do what King David did when he was in trouble he called unto God.
"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my
strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, and the horn of my
salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to
be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies (Psalms 18:2-3). Love
and serve God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Seek God's
Word for your answers. Obey, submit, and live the Word of God.
"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight
of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably
with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give
place unto wrath: For it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay,
saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his
head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom.
12:17-21)" "Say not thou, I will recompense evil, but wait on the Lord,
and He shall save thee (Prov. 20:22)".
We should also put to
practice God's Word to those who sin against us.
"But I say to you who
hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who
curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you (Luke 6:27-28). Do
what Jesus did when the Jews, Romans, & Greeks put Him to the cross, He
prayed and asked God to forgive them, for they know not what they do
(Luke 23:34). How many times can you relate to that prayer? Now, that we
know the strategies of our enemies, let's use the wisdom of the Lord and
partake of some of the advantages of being a child of God. And what are
they? Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, faith, protection, blessings,
peace, joy, love, grace, mercy, redemption, salvation, and much more. If
I were to list all the blessings, it would take lot's of time and paper,
so why don't we just take out our Bible to seek out what our inheritance
is, as a child of God. Therefore, remember that God is our Father and
Judge, and He will take vengeance on our enemies and those who harm us.
So, it's not your responsibility to take vengeance. Your responsibility
is to stand on your faith in God, call unto Him, seek shelter, forgive
your enemies, and to be conformed and transformed to the image of Jesus.
"For whom he did foreknew, he also did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many
brethren (Rom. 8:29).
"And be not conformed to
this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye
may prove what is good, and acceptable, and the perfect will of God (Rom
12:2) |
