One primary cause lurks behind the suffering and tragic circumstances that afflict so many people. The Scripture reveals that a powerful, intelligent and seemingly infinitely influential being actively ochestrates the wickedness that dominate our planet – Earth.
Most of us have heard of him, you may have wondered whether he really exists.
After all, to many he seem like a fairy-tale character; I am talking about SATAN.
Does such a being exist? Where could such a creature have come from? What is his purpose, his goal, his intent? What does he do? Is he as many believe, simply a mythical embodiment of evil?
Through the centuries, belief in the existence of the devil – a being responsible for evil has waxed and waned. The Scripture tells us in sobering terms that the devil does exist. It shows us that Satan is an incredible powerful spirit being with a pervasive influence over humanity. Along with his cohorts – called demons or devils; he is mentioned frequently in the Scripture.
The Scripture reveal much of this being. It shows us his origin and how he came to be what he is. It reveals his intentions and the methods he uses to accomplish them.
It describe his character and nature and the motivations that drive him. It helps us see the staggering impact his influence can have on us individually as well as sway the whole of humanity. It gives us knowledge we could never discover or understand on our own. A central message of the Scripture from the begining to the end, is - the devil is the enemy of all humanity. So, how do we resist him?
Through the Scripture, God gives us specific guidance to counteract the devil and his influence. God’s Words assures us ‘resist the devil, and he will flee from you...’ (James 4:7) but how?
This promise is however clearly directed toward those willing to ‘submit to God’ – this same verse is immediately followed with the instruction, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).
How then do we draw near to God? His instruction continues “...cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double minded (James 4:8).
To cleanse our hands is to change from our evil ways, conduct , attitude and start to do good.
To purify our hearts, is to actively seek to eliminate Satan’s way of thinking and behaving from our lives. Sinful desires and affections stop prayer, and the working of our desires toward God.
Satan is however so clever and powerful that no human being can successfully resist his influence without God’s help. Therefore, the key to resisting the devil is to take the following steps.
The first step is to allow God to wash Satan’s influence from our minds – this we can do by recognizing and acknowledging our sins and repenting of them. It compares this transformation from Satan’s way of thinking to coming back to life from the dead – (Ephesians 2: 1-3).
Secondly, God’s Words is the instrument Christ uses through the power of the Holy Spirit to wash away Satan’s influences from our thinking. Therefore, when we truly repent and submit to God from the heart, we begin to take His Word seriously and to obey His instruction and commands. Then His Words – the Scripture, begin to clean up our minds, washing away our evil thoughts and motives as we meditate on it daily.
Thirdly, “Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ” – Ephesians 6:11.
There are lists of specific elements of the Spiritual armour God makes available to us:- belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of good news of peace, the shield of faith - with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, the hemet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God which is the offensive weapon that we can use to cut to ribbons Satan’s deceit or wiles. So speak the Word always.
Lastly, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (Jude 1:20), and
watching with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints.
These steps mentioned above when practiced (James 1:22) will effectively send Satan
on his heels.
**** Be mindful of the highlighted words.
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